Dão DOC

The area named after the river with around 20,000 hectares of vineyards was classified as a DOC in 1990 and is located in the centre of the Beiras region in the north of Portugal. Viticulture dates back to ancient Greece. There are numerous hollows and depressions in the rocks in the form of stone basins (lagaretas), particularly in vineyards that have existed for centuries. Grapes were probably pressed in these facilities. This typical Portuguese method of crushing the grapes in the lagares (stone troughs) is still practised today.

Vineyards

The area is framed on three sides by granite mountains and thus protected from the Atlantic Ocean. Around 80% of the land area consists of forests, only 5% is used for viticulture. Most of the vineyards are located on granite soils in the valleys of the three rivers Alva, Mondego and Dão. There are around 100,000 winegrowers, who often cultivate very small plots of less than half a hectare and supply their grapes to production companies. The vineyards are therefore very fragmented and are often widely scattered in dense eucalyptus and pine forests.

Climate & soil

The climate varies between Mediterranean and continental with large temperature fluctuations. There are long, hot and dry summers, long and cool autumns and harsh and rainy winters. The vineyards are typically laid out in terraces. The vines grow on granite soil at high altitudes. In the east, there are some smaller areas with slate soils, where mostly white wine varieties are grown.

Wines

The majority of the red wines produced are rich in colour, tannin and extract, which is due to the often small-berried and hard-skinned grapes. Nine traditional grape varieties are recommended as particularly suitable, while a further thirteen are only authorised in small quantities.

Dão nobre

The Dão nobre (nobre = noble) designation is awarded to the very best wines, which rank above the Reserva and Garrafeira levels. For the red wines, the varieties Alfrocheiro, Aragonez (Tempranillo), Jaen (Mencía), Rufete and Touriga Nacional are authorised and must mature for at least four years. The Bical, Cerceal Branco, Encruzado, Arinto do Dão (Malvasia Fina) and Verdelho varieties are authorised for white wines.

Producers

Well-known producers are Aliança, Campos da Silva Oliveira, Casa da Insua, Casa de Santar, Dão Sul, Duque de Viseu, Fonseca, Quinta da Fonte de Ouro, Quinta das Maias, Quinta de Sães, Quinta dos Roques, Sogrape.