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The terroir of dao wines The classifications of Dao wines

The Best Wines of Dao

The Dão wine region, among Portugal's oldest, lies south of the renowned Douro Valley. The region of Dao is situated in the northern part of Portugal and derives its name from the Dão river, which runs alongside most of the region's vineyards. Dão wines contrast the robustness of Douro, boasting a lighter style with impressive aging potential. The terroir of Dão, with amongst others granite and schist, is akin to Douro and Priorat terroirs.

Notably, Dão features the Mencía grape, known as Jaen here, echoing its Spanish counterpart. The red wines are made fromTinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, complemented by Jaen, Alfrocheiro Preto, and lesser-known varieties like Bastardo and Baga from Bairrada. Additionally, Dão's white wines are made from Encruzado, the region's predominant grape.

Suppliers in Dao

Quinta dos Carvalhais

The terroir of Dao wines

The granite mountains of eastern Beiras are located to the north, south, and east of the Dão Valley. The Dão and Douro rivers, as well as Beira Litoral (coastal Beira) and Beira Interior (inland Beira), are divided by the same mountains. This geographical protection results in a temperate climate along the Dão, characterized by relative mildness and consistency across vineyard sites. Consequently, there's a notable uniformity in the region's terroir.

The prime vineyards in Dão are predominantly situated at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet (150–450m) above sea level. This elevation lifts the vines above the shadows of the valley, exposing them to abundant sunlight. Moreover, it contributes to increased temperature variations between day and night, aiding in the cooling of grapes overnight. This temperature shift is crucial for retaining the acids that lend desirable characteristics to the resulting wines.

The classification of wines from Dao

Numerous rivers flow through, yet the Dão River's prominence names the local DOC, largely because of the resilient, crystalline granite through which it has formed its course over countless millennia. Seven sub-regions within the Dao DOC, denoted on labels with 'Dão', yield distinct wines due to varied climates, each showcasing unique characteristics. Subregions encompass:

  1. Alva
  2. Besteiros
  3. Castendo
  4. Serra da Estrela
  5. Silgueiros
  6. Terras de Azurara
  7. Terras de Senhorim

 



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