Tinta Roriz / Aragonez (grape variety) A fine wine goes by many names – this is certainly true of Tempranillo, an ancient grape variety believed to be of Spanish origin, which has been documented on the Iberian Peninsula for centuries and is now grown on every continent.
In northern Portugal, particularly in the Douro and Dão regions, this powerful red variety goes by the name of Tinta Roriz; further south, its name reflects its presumed northern Spanish origins as Aragonez.
The grape is considered one of the five varieties strongly recommended by Fernando Nicolau de Almeida for port production. When blended with Touriga Nacional or Touriga Franca, it contributes a good amount of tannins – and thus ageing potential – making it ideally suited to oak barrel ageing.
The fruit profile usually ranges from wild berries to dark plums, with a hint of spice always present; the acidity is well-balanced.
Yields can vary greatly from one vintage to the next; young wines, when fresh from the bottle, can sometimes be rather rough. However, with adequate quality control and a little patience, it is possible to produce extremely complex and superbly structured red wines that rank among the best in the country.