DOC Porto D.O.C. wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Denominação de Origem Controlada

The Porto appellation covers the Douro Demarcated Region, in northeastern Portugal, along the valley of the Douro river. The area spans approximately 250,000 hectares, divided into three sub-regions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. The Marão and Montemuro mountains form a natural barrier that shelters the vineyards from Atlantic humidity, creating a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers. Soils are predominantly schist, with granite outcrops at the edges, and vines are grown on terraces along steep slopes. Several dozen grape varieties are authorized; the leading red varieties are touriga franca, touriga nacional, tinta roriz and tinta barroca, while rabigato, malvasia fina and viosinho are among the most widely planted white varieties. Port wine, a fortified wine made by adding grape spirit during fermentation, originates in this region.

Grape varieties: Vins rouges : touriga nacional, touriga francesa, tinta roriz, tinta baroca, bastardo. Vins blancs : verdelho, rabigato,

The wines of this appellation

Port wine is a fortified wine: fermentation of the must is stopped by adding grape spirit, which preserves part of the natural sugar and raises the alcohol content to between 19 and 22% vol. Two main families are defined by their ageing. Ruby-style ports keep a deep red color and aromas of red and black fruit; this family includes Ruby, Reserve, Late Bottled Vintage and Vintage, the latter made from a single harvest. Tawny-style ports age in wood, taking on a mahogany hue and developing aromas of dried fruit, nuts and spice; this family includes Tawny, Reserve Tawny, Tawny with an indication of age, and Colheita, made from a single year. White Port, ranging from dry to very sweet, and Rosé Port, made through light maceration, complete the range. Aged tawnies pair well with blue-veined cheeses and dried-fruit desserts, while rubies go naturally with dark chocolate.