Touriga Nacional - Douro And Dao
The king of grapes in the Douro, Portugal, produces intense, fragrant, sumptuous dry reds, as well as being the dominant grape variety in Port. The wines are powerful, yet with a silky, velvety, violet and fig-infused fragrance and flavour. Taut, stylish, and structured in the Dao, the wines are equally structured, but can occasionally have a tendency to harshness and heavy tannins, and perceptively less rounded, than many of their Douro counterparts.
Tinto Roriz and Touriga Francesca are the other grapes that make up most of the red blends in these regions, although the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon is often also made.
What does it go with?
These can be extremely elegant wines, which are perfect with steak, braised meats, winter stews, and venison. The natural sweetness would also make them a good foil for aromatic Middle Eastern meat tagines.