Often field blended with the likes of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cao in the Douro Valley, Touriga Nacional is a major grape used mainly in the production of Port wine, but also in other regional Portuguese wines including those from the Dao and other non-fortified, varietal Douro examples. Also grown in the USA, South Africa, Australia and Spain. The grape produces extremely concentrated, dark, tannic wines with blueberry and plum flavours and a distinctive floral note (violets & mint) in their youth. Wines made from Touriga Nacional tend to have considerable ageing potential. As a dry red wine, Touriga is brilliant with steak topped with butter or blue cheese. As a fortified wine, try it with dark chocolate.
