Trás-os-Montes means "behind the mountains." In northeastern Portugal near Spain, it is bordered by the Marão and Alvão mountains and the Douro River. Hot summers, cold winters and large day to night temperature shifts help grapes retain acidity and aromatic compounds as they ripen. Soils are mainly poor granite, with some schist.
Red wine makes up most of the region's production. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Trincadeira are among the red grapes, producing fruity, structured wines that are often relatively high in alcohol and balanced by acidity. Whites are smooth, floral and fruity, with moderate acidity.
The DOC has three subregions: Chaves, Valpaços and Planalto Mirandês. Chaves is generally lower, wetter and more humid, while Valpaços is warmer and drier, with riper wines. On the Serra do Mogadouro plateau, Planalto Mirandês has schist soils, low humidity and marked temperature variation. Wine production here dates back to Roman and pre-Roman times. Since 2006, Transmontano has covered the wider region, while DOC Trás-os-Montes applies only to selected areas.
Inside the region
1 named area
Each guide keeps its place within Trás-os-Montes clear, with a direct route back to the map.