Red grapeSommo grape guide

Tinto Cao

Tinto Cao 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-full
Origin
Portugal
Top region
Douro
2
Key regions
3
Pairings
4
Synonyms

Tinto Cao is a red grape variety, and it traces back to Douro, Portugal.

Structurally it lands at medium-full body, high tannin, medium-high acidity, dry and medium alcohol.

Look for spice, floral notes, red berries, floral, earthy and herbal.

The regions that matter for it are Douro and Dao.

In the vineyard it is marked by late ripening, medium vigour and a preference for cooler mesoclimate.

It blends readily with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz.

Watch for the synonyms: Tinta Cao, Castellana Negra, Farmento and Teinta Cam.

At the table it suits braised pork chops with crispy sage, chocolate and cherry tart and stilton cheese.

The structure.

Body
Medium-full
Tannin
High
Acidity
Medium-high
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
spicefloral notesred berries
Aromas
floralearthyherbal
Styles
dry redfortified

Where it grows.

Blends well with.

Food pairings.

01 braised pork chops with crispy sage
02 chocolate and cherry tart
03 Stilton cheese

Also labelled.

Tinta Cao, Castellana Negra, Farmento, Teinta Cam.

Bottles to look for.

  • Alves de Sousa Vale da Raposa Tinto Cao, Douro, Portugal
  • Casa Santos Lima Tinto Cao, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal
  • Costa Boal Tinto Cao, Douro, Portugal
  • Dona Berta Reserva Tinto Cao, Douro, Portugal
  • Epordouro 'Solar dos Dragos' Grande Reserva Tinto Cao, Douro, Portugal
  • Kopke Quinta Sao Luiz Winemaker's Collection Tinto Cao Rose, Douro, Portugal
  • Kopke Winemaker's Collection Tinto Cao Rose, Douro, Portugal
  • Mazza Tinta Cao, Geographe, Australia

Tinto Cao: common questions

01.
What does Tinto Cao taste like?
+
Tinto Cao tastes of spice, floral notes, red berries, floral, earthy and herbal. Structurally it lands at medium-full body, high tannin, medium-high acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Tinto Cao from?
+
Tinto Cao originates in Douro, Portugal.
03.
Where is Tinto Cao grown?
+
The key regions for Tinto Cao are Douro and Dao.
04.
What food pairs with Tinto Cao?
+
Pour it with braised pork chops with crispy sage, chocolate and cherry tart and stilton cheese.
05.
What else is Tinto Cao called?
+
Tinto Cao is also labelled Tinta Cao, Castellana Negra, Farmento and Teinta Cam.

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

Grapes in the app

Scan a Tinto Cao,
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.