Trás-os-Montes Wine Region

The Trás-os-Montes Region is located in the northeast of mainland Portugal, separated from the coast by a set of mountains - the one that most distinguishes is the Marão. It is a region that has a total vineyard area of 34000 hectares.
It presents landscapes of rare natural and rural beauty, showing a land rich not only in vineyards but also in cereals, vegetables and fruits that shape nature with alternating colors throughout the seasons.

Image: NLC Wines

Sub-Regions of the Trás-os-Montes Wine Region

The Trás-os-Montes Region can be divided into three sub-regions: Chaves, Valpaços and Planalto Mirandês.
The planting of vineyards in Chaves is located on the slopes of small valleys, where the tributaries of the river Tâmega flow. Valpaços is rich in water resources and finally, the Planalto Mirandês, is located in the Serra do Mogadouro plateau, in the southwest of the region.

Types of wine and grape varieties from the Trás-os-Montes Wine Region

The most dominant red varieties in this region are: Bastardo, Tinta Roriz, Marufo, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira. The most planted white varieties are: Códega do Larinho, Malvasia Fina, Fernão Pires, Gouveio, Rabigato, Syria and Viosinho.
This region produces fruity and slightly astringent red wines and white wines that are characterized by their smoothness and floral aroma.

Terroir of the Trás-os-Montes Wine Region

The Trás-os-Montes region usually has hot, dry summers and very cold winters. Altitudes vary a lot, in the higher lands the vine finds colder temperatures, especially at night. The weather turns out to be cooler the further north we are, and much warmer in the south in the summer months. Snow also falls several times during winter and often late frosts fall in spring.
As far as the soils are concerned, they are essentially granite or schist.

Image: U.Porto Media Innovation Labs

Pairing Trás-os-Montes wines with food

Red wines from the Trás-os-Montes region, as they are mostly light, are ideal to accompany white meats with simple sauces.

Regarding white wines, they are perfect to accompany with seafood, fish, white meat and salads.