Dão
Continental, sheltered by mountains
A granite plateau in Portugal's mountainous interior, sheltered on every side and known for perfumed, elegant reds and the Encruzado white.
Overview
About Dão
The Dão takes its name from the river that runs through it and lies on a high plateau in north-central Portugal, ringed by mountains: the Serra da Estrela to the east, the Caramulo and Buçaco ranges to the west and the Montemuro to the north. The ranges shelter the vineyards from Atlantic rain and from the heat of the interior, and vines grow among pine woods and granite outcrops, mostly at 400 to 500 metres.
The main red grapes are Touriga Nacional, thought to have originated here, along with Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Tinta Roriz, and the wines are typically finer, more perfumed and less heavy than those of the Douro. The signature white is Encruzado, which gives textured, mineral wines that age well. For much of the 20th century a state-backed cooperative system controlled the region's wine and held quality back; after Portugal joined the European Community in 1986 estates began to bottle their own wines, and the region's reputation has been rebuilt since.
Dão is marked on the map.
Portugal
Shaded: Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Continental, sheltered by mountains
Warm summers and cold winters, with the mountains blocking wet Atlantic weather from the west. Altitude brings cool nights, which keep the reds fresh and perfumed, and harvest is usually later than in the Douro.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Almost entirely granite-derived, sandy, low-fertility soil, with some schist. The poor soil restricts vigour, and the drainage suits both Touriga Nacional and Encruzado.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Dão is a long-established DOC, with a broader regional wine, Terras do Dão, beside it that allows more freedom in grapes.
Dão DOC (Reserva and Garrafeira)
Wines from the delimited area made from an approved list of grapes, with longer-aged Reserva and Garrafeira designations.
Terras do Dão IGP
A wider regional category, with more flexibility over varieties and methods.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.