Touriga Nacional is highly regarded as the “crown jewel” of Portuguese grapes. It is, in fact, the backbone for many high-quality Portuguese blends.

Occasionally, the variety can be made into a single variety wine, and on its own, it is celebrated for its ability to produce structured, flavorful, and age-worthy dry wines, which are often full-bodied with high tannins and vibrant acidity.

Touriga Nacional has small berries and thick skins, which contribute to its concentrated flavors and robust tannins. The vines are quite resilient, adapting well to different soils and climates. It thrives in Portugal’s hot and dry conditions; and provideds low yields, which can contribute to the intensity and quality of the wines.

In Port wine production, particularly in blends, it adds complexity, aroma, and structure.

A few more notes on Touriga Nacional:

• Touriga Nacional berries are among the smallest in the wine world, which means a high skin-to-juice ratio. This contributes to their intense color, tannins, and flavors—perfect for robust wines!

• Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s passport to the world. Though native to Portugal, it is expanding outside the country’s borders to other wine regions around the world. Winemakers in places like California, Australia, and South Africa are experimenting with it, putting a modern twist on this traditional grape.

• Wines made from Touriga Nacional can age for decades, developing complex layers of dried fruit, leather, and spice flavors over time.

• A new trend in Portugal finds some winemakers using Touriga Nacional to craft sparkling rosé wines that are bright and fruity.

The following guide will illustrate what Touriga Nacional often tastes like (aroma, flavor, and structure). It will also tell you where it’s from, provide you with common food recommendations, similar varieties, and let you know why you should be drinking more of it!

These are the most familiar tastes and aromas I typically find in a glass of Touriga Nacional. It’s also common to find black cherry, cassis, chocolate, licorice, truffle, tobacco, and leather, notes, depending on how it’s made and if it’s blended with other grapes. 

Remember, wine tastes are somewhat relative. There may be some different tasting notes you consistently find while drinking this variety.

It is believed that Touriga Nacional has been cultivated in Portugal for centuries. The grape is native to the Douro and Dão regions, two of Portugal’s most famous wine-growing areas. It has been linked to traditional winemaking in these regions, and its historical importance in Portugal’s viticulture dates back to at least the 18th century.

Touriga Nacional can also be found in the Riverland and Rutherglen regions of South Australia, in Lodi and Amador County in California, as well as in the Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape in South Africa.

Other pairings: lamb, pasta, pizza, Mexican fare.