📍 Dão

Dão is a wine zone in the north of central Portugal, in the Beira Alta area. It is a plateau in the valleys of the Mondego and Dão rivers, sheltered on three sides by granite mountain ranges: Serra da Estrela, Serra do Caramulo and Serra da Nave. The vineyards lie on sandy, well-drained soil over granite. The zone is part of Portuguese wine.

The district was first officially demarcated in 1908, so it is considered one of the oldest in the country. The climate is moderate, and the mountains shield the vines from ocean winds and from heat. About 80% of the wine is red, and by the rules at least 20% must be Touriga Nacional.

The main grapes are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro and, among whites, Encruzado. Encruzado is the district's main white grape, complemented by Malvasia Fina and Bical. The reds come out elegant, with good acidity, and white wines from Encruzado can age for years.

Dão is a place for those who prefer refined wines to powerful and heavy ones. White wines of the "garrafeira" category need at least six months in oak and half a percent more alcohol than ordinary whites (the DOC minimum is 11.5%).