Connect with Port:
The Douro Demarcated Region covers over 250,000 hectares in Northeast Portugal within the Douro River basin. Only fortified wines from grapes grown and produced in the Douro Demarcated Region can be called Port. The fortified wine is produced under specific, traditional methods of fermentation, adding grape brandy, ageing and storage. Situated along the Douro River and its tributaries, Port’s soil is schistose with some granite around the edges. The region is protected from humid Atlantic winds by the Marão and Montemuro mountain barriers, resulting in cold winters and hot, dry summers.
Region
43,608 hectares of growing area
3 sub-regions
People
20,015 growers
121 shippers
Sales
8.2 million cases sold (2019)
€379 million total sales (2019)
>80% exported
Primary Grape Varietals
RED
Bastardo
Donzelinho Tinto
Marufo
Tinta Francisca
Aragonez
Tinto-Cão
Touriga-Franca
Touriga-Nacional
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WHITE
Bical
Donzelinho Branco
Folgasão
Gouveio
Gouveio Estimado
Malvasia-Fina
Rabigato
Sercial
Verdelho
Viosinho
Unique Fact
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The Douro Demarcated Region was the first wine region in the world to be demarcated and regulated. September 10, celebrated as International Port Day, commemorates the date of the Law that in 1756 created the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (also known as the Douro Wine Company). It was founded by the Marquis of Pombal to guarantee Port wine's high quality, combat fraud and stabilize prices. The wine region's borders were delimited by 335 stone markers, and soon after a comprehensive classification system was established.
