Dão wine

The Dão is a hilly region in central Portugal, ringed by mountains, with granite soils and cool nights. It makes fresh, elegant reds from Touriga Nacional, Jaen and Alfrocheiro, and whites from Encruzado, a grape that hardly grows anywhere else. These are the Dão bottles we stock in Graça.

If you like Burgundy or the northern Rhône, start here. Ask us to pour a glass at the bar first.

Why Dão tastes the way it does

The vineyards sit in pine and granite country, sheltered by the Serra da Estrela, Caramulo and Buçaco mountains. Summers are hot but nights are cool, so the wines keep their acidity and the tannins stay fine.

• Touriga Nacional probably comes from here: violets, dark fruit, firm structure. Quinta do Perdigão Red 2017 blends it with Alfrocheiro and Jaen, and so does António Madeira Dão Red, with some Tinta Roriz.
• Jaen is the same grape as Mencía in Spain, lighter, with red fruit. João Tavares de Pina Lero Lero Red pairs it with Touriga.
• Encruzado gives whites with body and good acidity. Try Quinta do Perdigão Encruzado White, or Textura da Estrela White, which adds Bical and Cerceal.

Old bottles worth opening

Dão reds and whites age well, and we keep a few older bottles from Caves São João. A white from 1984 like Caves São João Porta dos Cavaleiros Colheita White 1984 will not taste of fresh lemon. Expect nuts and dried fruit, with the acidity still there. Ask us before you buy, we are happy to talk you through it.

How to serve it

Reds at about 16°C. Whites at 10 to 12°C, not ice cold, or Encruzado loses its texture. Dão goes well with roast kid, duck rice and bacalhau, and above all with the cheese from the hills next door, Serra da Estrela. More in our Portuguese cheese guide.

Questions we get asked

What is the difference between Dão and Douro wine?

The Douro is a steep, hot valley on schist that gives bigger, riper reds and Port. The Dão is higher and cooler, on granite, and its reds are lighter and fresher. Compare them with our Douro wine page.

What is Encruzado?

Encruzado is a white grape grown almost only in the Dão. It gives full-bodied whites with fresh acidity that can age for years in the bottle.

How long can a Dão red age?

A good Dão red often improves for five to ten years, and the best keep much longer. We have a 1995 on the shelf.

What does DOC Dão mean on the label?

It means the grapes come from the demarcated Dão region and the wine follows its rules. Some good producers use Vinho Regional Terras do Dão instead, which gives them more freedom with grapes.