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Touriga Nacional is a robust, thick-skinned and quite high-yielding variety. Mainly found in Portugal's Douro Valley, this variety has been grown there since the 19th century and is regularly used in the production of port. Thought to be the best of the port grapes, fortified wine is also derived from this variety in Australia.
There are also significant plantings in South Africa, where it is usually used to produce hefty varietal table wines that are a speciality of the country (and are frequently spelt 'Tinta Barocca').
Read MorePortugal (the Douro Valley), South Africa and Australia.
It is ideally suited to the higher, north-facing vineyards in the Douro Valley. It is able to withstand drought and cool weather, due to its thick skin.
This is one of those varieties which is able to make really concentrated and tannic yet smooth wines. It is greatly valued for its ability to produce wines that have sweet and fruity aromas.