Touriga Nacional, or many of the other Tourigas and Tintas that make up the world of Portuguese wine grapes (Francesa, Femea, Cao, Roriz), tend to be associated with the production of dessert wines. While we may first encounter these varieties in port, they all make exceptionally good table wines as well. Wines that are powerful, deeply fruity, complex and, yes, earthy!
Even port has a distinct earthy bed over which the fruit is built and supported by sugar. When these grapes are turned into dry wines, that earthy foundation can become even more apparent. Many, if not most, Portuguese table wines tend to be blends, sometimes incorporating so-called international varieties, but one refreshing feature of these indigenous grapes is that their character is almost impossible to conceal. They are almost always fairly powerful, rich and deep, though if you are looking for a varietal wine you might consider…
Photo courtesy airdiogo via Flickr/CC
Comments
Your wine flowchart sounds very interesting, but I don't see it or see how to print it. Can you assist?
Oct 24, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Where are the wines of priorat? I can not think of another category of wines (not grapes) that better exemplifies a minerally red than those.
Oct 24, 2011 at 3:35 PM
laporta
What about hermitage?
Oct 24, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Or Saint Estaphe?
Oct 25, 2011 at 12:07 AM
ditto on flow chart
Oct 26, 2011 at 12:49 AM
I wonder if the writers read these comment posts? They are most likely very busy.
Nov 01, 2011 at 8:54 PM
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