Touriga Nacional Wine Guide
Discover Touriga Nacional, Portugal's finest indigenous grape. Learn about its role in Port wine, dry Douro reds, and why it's gaining global recognition.
Characteristics
- Full-bodied with firm, structured tannins
- Intense violet, blackberry, and dark fruit flavors
- Distinctively floral with notes of violets and lavender
- Excellent aging potential in both Port and dry wines
Key Regions
Food Pairings
- Grilled lamb with herbs
- Rich beef stews
- Hard aged cheeses
- Dark chocolate desserts (with Port)
Serving Temperature
60-65°F (16-18°C)
Portugal’s Crown Jewel
Touriga Nacional is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest indigenous grape variety. Once nearly extinct, it has been revived to become the backbone of great Port wines and increasingly celebrated for producing powerful, elegant dry red wines from the Douro Valley.
Tasting Touriga Nacional
Classic Flavors
- Fruit: Blackberry, black plum, wild berry
- Floral: Distinctive violets and lavender
- Secondary: Dark chocolate, graphite, Mediterranean herbs
- With age: Tobacco, leather, spice box
On the Palate
Full-bodied with firm, structured tannins and excellent acidity. Deep, inky color. Typically 13.5-14.5% alcohol in dry wines, higher in Port.
The Douro Valley
Port Wine
Touriga Nacional is the most prized variety in Port production, contributing intense color, structure, and aromatic complexity. Top vintage Ports typically feature high percentages of Touriga Nacional.
Dry Douro Reds
The modern revolution in Portuguese wine has seen Touriga Nacional shine in dry table wines. These wines offer the grape’s signature power and florality in a more accessible format.
Field Blends
Traditionally, Douro vineyards were planted with dozens of varieties together. Today, both traditional blends and single-variety Touriga Nacional wines coexist.
Food Pairings
Touriga Nacional’s structure and intensity pair beautifully with:
- Grilled lamb with herbs
- Rich beef stews
- Hard aged cheeses
- Dark chocolate desserts (with Port)
Beyond Portugal
Touriga Nacional is now planted in Australia, California, and South Africa, where winemakers seek to capture its unique character. Portuguese plantings remain the benchmark.
Aging Potential
Quality Touriga Nacional wines can age for 20-30 years, developing complex tertiary characters while maintaining their distinctive floral signature.
Learn More with Sommo
Use the Sommo app to explore Touriga Nacional wines from traditional Port houses and modern Douro producers, tracking your favorites and discovering new expressions.
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
