Hailing from the region of Douro of Portugal, this dark-skinned grape variety is also concerned with the production of dry red wines in this particular region.

This grape variety is considered as one of the major grape varieties of the regions of Portugal and therefore it is valued a lot by the growers as well as the winemakers.

According to a famous winemaker, this red wine grape variety plays the role of Cabernet Franc to Touriga Nacional’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

This red wine grape variety is a very aromatic grape variety and the grapes of it are mainly concerned with the production of lighter wines that are pleasuring as to their taste.

The name of this red wine grape variety has always been a matter of confusion among the people as there exist a more obscure variety that is known by the name of Touriga Francisca.

However, both these grape varieties are entirely different from one-another. This red wine grape variety is very much valued both in the shape of its vines as well as when it is entirely produced into the tasteful wines.

The vines of this red wine grape variety need harsh and hard conditions to vigor down as they get on the steep and arid slopes of the region of Douro.

The yields of this red wine grape are either too high or too low, but medium. The vines of this red wine grape variety have the ability to ripen early and thereafter the blend of fruit and wild flowers so exists make these wines as the famous port wines that are much liked by the wine lovers.

This is the reason why this red wine grape variety is used both as a varietal as well as blends.

Today, the plantation as well as cultivation of this red wine grape variety is found mainly in the Douro region.

At the same time, the vines of this red wine grape variety are planted at large in other wine regions of Portugal as well.

Apart from Portugal, the plantation and cultivation of this red wine grape variety are seen in the Tasmania region of Australia, where these plantings are seen in an experimental form.

This red wine grape variety is also planted and cultivated in the regions of the United States of America where the port style wines produced out of this red wine grape variety are experimented along with the use of Touriga Franca in order to enhance the flavors.

In Portugal, this red wine grape variety is considered as the fifth most planted variety of grape.

This red wine grape variety is known under a number of synonyms such as Touriga Franca, Albino de Souza, Touriga Francesca, Esgana Cao, Rifete and many others.

Origin

The origins of this red wine grape variety are very much uncertain as no specific record of its existence has been found by the experts as of now.

According to wine experts and ampelographers, this red wine grape variety is not a French grape variety.

The experts’ further quote that this grape variety is most likely to be a mutation or a crossing performed between Touriga Nacional and an unknown grape, most possibly Mourisco Tinto.

Wines with Touriga Francesa grapes

Characteristics

This red wine grape variety is most famously known to be producing the dry wines that are rich as to their style and flavors.

The wines produced out of this red wine grape variety are considered to be more aromatic as to their taste.

These wines are light-bodied wines that lack enough intensity and the concentration that could make them a blockbuster wine.

This red wine grape variety is used for the production of both blended as well as varietal wines, though the Port wines are the most popular product obtained out of this grape variety.

Food pairing

All the wines produced out of this red wine grape variety are paired the best with the food items such as Portuguese-style salad, dark chocolate as well as smoked vegetables.

Author

Are you a Copywriter?

We have a lot of articles without much content, if you can do it better, you are welcome to write a nice article, and get the proper credit for that. Read more information about beeing an author, and Contact us for more information.