Red grapeSommo grape guide

Portuguese Red Blend

Portuguese Red Blend wine guide: what this red grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
Red
Body
Medium
Origin
Portugal
Top region
Douro
2
Key regions
3
Pairings
9
Synonyms

Portuguese Red Blend is a red blend rather than a single variety, with its roots in Douro, Portugal.

The wines show medium body, medium tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.

The tasting note runs to dark fruits, berries, plum, cherry, spice and earth.

It is planted most seriously in Douro and Alentejo.

In the vineyard it is marked by mid ripening, varies vigour and a preference for mediterranean.

On other labels it goes by Portugieser, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca.

At the table it suits cozido a portuguesa (pork and beef stew), chilli con carne with rice and cilantro and fried morcilla (black pudding).

The structure.

Body
Medium
Tannin
Medium
Acidity
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
dark fruitsberriesplumcherry
Aromas
spiceearthfloral
Styles
red wine

Where it grows.

Food pairings.

01 Cozido a Portuguesa (pork and beef stew)
02 Chilli con carne with rice and cilantro
03 Fried morcilla (black pudding)

Also labelled.

Portugieser, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Castelao, Sousao, Trincadeira, Baga.

Bottles to look for.

  • Cartuxa Evora Colheita Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal
  • Cartuxa Pera Manca Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal
  • Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda, Douro, Portugal
  • Casa Ferreirinha Reserva Especial, Douro, Portugal
  • Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal
  • Feuerheerd's 'Anchor' Reserva Tinto, Douro, Portugal
  • Herdade do Esporao 'Esporao' Reserva, Alentejo, Portugal
  • Lancers Rose, Portugal

Portuguese Red Blend: common questions

01.
What does Portuguese Red Blend taste like?
+
Portuguese Red Blend tastes of dark fruits, berries, plum, cherry, spice and earth, plus one more. The wines show medium body, medium tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Portuguese Red Blend from?
+
Portuguese Red Blend originates in Douro, Portugal.
03.
Where is Portuguese Red Blend grown?
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The key regions for Portuguese Red Blend are Douro and Alentejo.
04.
What food pairs with Portuguese Red Blend?
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Pour it with cozido a portuguesa (pork and beef stew), chilli con carne with rice and cilantro and fried morcilla (black pudding).
05.
What else is Portuguese Red Blend called?
+
Portuguese Red Blend is also labelled Portugieser, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca, plus four more.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Portugal.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Portuguese Red Blend,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.