The Douro Valley in Portugal is one of the oldest and most iconic wine regions in the world. Located in the north of the country, the region is renowned for its stunning scenery and its production of world-class fortified wines. The Douro Valley was first demarcated in 1756 and originally applied only to port production. It was extended to include table wine in 1979, with the first glimmer of the region’s potential for non-fortified still red wines appearing when port shippers Casa Ferreirinha launched Barca Velha in 1952. The focus on table wines did not take hold until the 1990’s, following Portugal’s accession to the EU.
The Douro Valley is best known for its production of fortified wines, such as Port and Madeira. The region is also home to 100-plus approved indigenous varieties of red and white grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca. The wines of the Douro are typically full-bodied and robust, with intense fruit flavors and a long finish.
The Douro Valley is home to some of the most famous wine producers in Portugal, including Quinta do Noval, Quinta do Vesuvio, and Quinta do Crasto. These producers are renowned for their production of world-class fortified wines, as well as their red and white table wines.
The Douro Valley is the world’s largest mountain vineyard, with over 250,000 ha of land, 45,203 ha of which is under vine.