Touriga Nacional

Pronounced tor-ee-gah nah-see-on-nall, Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s flagship grape variety.

Historically, it is one of the five key grape varieties used to create Port, the country’s famous fortified red wine (along with Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cão). However, it has become popular for creating premium single-varietal red wines.

Touriga Nacional wines are made throughout Portugal, but some of the finest and most popular come from just two regions – Douro (home to Port) and Dão (believed to be the birthplace of Touriga).

If you’re looking for a wine that doesn’t sacrifice quality for value, look for bottles from Lisboa – many of our most popular Portuguese reds are made there. The region has wine regulations that allow winemakers to be creative and experiment with different grape varieties.

Australia also grows Touriga Nacional, but here, we call it Touriga. These characteristically rich, full-flavoured reds are a hit at any barbeque or party.

In Portugal, the grape flourishes in the Douro Valley and Dão regions. The Douro’s hot, dry climate and schist soils produce bold, tannic wine, while Dão’s cooler climate and granite soils result in elegant, aromatic wines.

Touriga Nacional is grown in Australia in McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley. These areas have a warm Mediterranean climate, helping the grape develop its rich colours and intense fruit flavours.

Touriga Nacional wines are powerful, elegant and celebrated for their bold, full-bodied style.

They have a robust structure and a velvety, luxurious texture that coats the palate. Their well-balanced acidity lends freshness and vibrancy to this rich wine, and firm tannins give these reds excellent ageing potential.

When made into Port, Touriga Nacional shows its versatility. Port wines are luscious and sweet, with a concentrated richness highlighting deep flavours of ripe plum, blackcurrant and fig. The fortified nature adds warmth and complexity, while the wine’s natural acidity balances both dry and sweet styles.

Touriga Nacional’s deep, rich colour is the first sign that you’re in for a decadent treat when you pour a glass. This warming red is packed with intense flavours of black and red fruits, including:

• Blackcurrant

• Blueberry

• Plum

• Black cherry

• Raspberry

They also often have a distinctive spice note that reminds many wine lovers of star anise. Other spice and herbal characteristics include mint and liquorice, but many drinkers also notice a hint of fragrant Turkish delight or violets.

When aged in oak, the wine develops headier cedar, tobacco leaf and vanilla notes, adding depth and roundness.

Choosing the best Touriga Nacional wine will depend on your personal preferences.

Try wines from Portugal’s Douro Valley if you enjoy bold, structured wines. These reds often have rich, dark fruit flavours, firm tannins, and a robust body. If you prefer a more aromatic and elegant style, explore Touriga Nacional from the Dão region. Here, the wines are known for their floral notes and balanced acidity.

Australian regions like McLaren Vale create Touriga Nacional with a fruit-forward character, ripe berry flavours and softer tannins.

Touriga Nacional is a key grape variety in Portugal’s wine industry. It creates iconic fortified wines, complex red blends and rich, dry single-varietal wines.

Port, made in the Douro region, is a sweet, fortified wine famous for its rich flavours and complexity. This wine is arguably the most famous fortified wine in the world.

In red wine blends, Touriga Nacional is commonly mixed with other Portuguese varieties like Castelão and Tempranillo (known as Tinto Roriz in Portugal), as well as Shiraz. Touriga Nacional provides perfumed, floral aromas and dark fruit flavours to the blend.

The Douro region also produces single-varietal dry, rich reds from Touriga Nacional. Excellent value, high-quality bottles can also be found in the Dão, Lisboa and Península de Setúbal regions.

Touriga Nacional’s rich flavours, full body, and moderate acidity make it great for pairing with bold dishes. Its fruity taste is perfect with rich, fatty red meats, and its floral notes suit earthy, spicy foods.

Here are some of our favourite food pairing suggestions:

• Meat dishes – Touriga Nacional’s robust tannins and fruit flavours go well with roasted and grilled meats. Try it with slow-roasted lamb with rosemary, perfectly cooked sirloin steaks, grilled lamb chops with mint sauce, pork sausages or beef burgers topped with smoked cheese.

• Mediterranean dishes – Enjoy a glass of Touriga Nacional with vegetarian or meat moussaka, roasted peppers or pasta in rich tomato sauce. The wine’s balanced acidity and bold character enhance the flavours of ingredients like tomatoes and herbs.

• Spicy dishes – This rich red works well with Thai red or green curries and spicy noodles because the wine’s fruitiness and structure help balance and complement the heat and spices.

Like many other full-bodied, rich reds, Touriga Nacional is best served at room temperature (18-20°C). At this temperature, the wine’s tannins and acidity remain balanced. You may also want to decant your chosen Touriga wine for half an hour before serving to help its more complex aromas fully develop.

Touriga Nacional is best served in large, tulip-shaped wine glasses. The shape of these glasses allows the wine’s aromas to reach your nose as you sip. A standard red wine glass with a wide bowl would also be a good choice.