Touriga Franca

An important dark-skinned grape variety that is used in the production of Port and dry red wines from Douro in Portugal. Touriga Franca is more widely planted than Touriga Nacional but it is the less well known of the two grapes. The origin of this grape is unclear, it could be a crossing or a mutation of Touriga Nacional and an unkown parent, but the name misleads you as it is not a French grape. Touriga France is a lighter bodied and more aromatic grape than Touriga Nacional, it is lacking in intensity and concentration for it to be made into a big powerful wine but it has got a high yield which has made it an important grape.