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Portugal · Region section

Dão

Dão is a landlocked, granite-soil region in north-central Portugal, with small vineyard plots scattered among pine forests. Its blended reds can be light and peppery or fuller and fruitier, while Encruzado gives textured whites. Lafões, by the Vouga River, offers a notably acidic contrast.

Place
Dão, Portugal
Wine context
Touriga Nacional
Producers
6
Editorial basis
World of Wine regional guide
Atlas locationDão · Portugal40.54° N · 7.88° W

Dão is a landlocked region in north-central Portugal, with vineyards from about 200 to 1,000 metres. Many sit in small, separate plots among pine forests, on poor granite soils. Mountains shelter the region from maritime influence and harsher continental conditions. Most rain falls in winter, then the growing season is hot and dry. Only about five percent of Dão is under vine.

Blended reds are central to the region. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen are the leading red grapes, while Encruzado leads the whites. Dão reds may be light, peppery and spicy or fuller and fruitier, but they usually have bright fruit and a fresher, lighter feel than Douro reds. Encruzado can bring almond-like and citrus notes with a coating texture. Wines from granite soils tend to be fresher, with less ripe fruit and tannin expression.

Lafões sits on a granite-soil transition crossed by the Vouga River. Its notably acidic wines have something in common with neighbouring Vinho Verde.

Inside the region

2 named areas

Each guide keeps its place within Dão clear, with a direct route back to the map.

  1. 01Dão6 producersDão sits within Dão, Portugal.
  2. 02Lafões1 producerLafões sits within Dão, Portugal.

Producer profiles

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Where to go next

mapSee Dão in the AtlasKeep the surrounding places in view as you move closer.placeContinue to DãoDão is one of the named areas within Dão.learningUnderstand Touriga NacionalTouriga Nacional is one of the wine names associated with Dão.