Crasto & Castro duke it out Portuguese valley style - Crasto Duoro Red 2006 and Alvaro Castro Dao DOC 2007

I've been wanting to learn more about Portugal and

Portuguese wines. Usually they are not really represented in wine stores save the Port section. Their wines are usually full bodied and deep and rich - because they use the same grapes that are found in their fortified compatriots.

It's interesting to take a look at these two representatives from the Northern DOC regions. Duoro DOC and Dao DOC border each other and they are fairly close to the Vinho Verde region which will supply me with inexpensive and tasty quaffie wine this summer. Portugal has had an interesting history with their winemaking and a lot of it has been influenced heavily by the Brits - Port and Madeira industry. They have received a ton of money from joining the EU that is going to modernize their winemaking industry.

The Dao

On one side we have Dao - the more northern of the two regions. This is a mountainous region located on the... you guessed it: Dao River! This particular wine is a blend of Alvaro Castro's two Quintas (wineries). One is from a hilltop location and the grapes used here are: 65% Tinta Roriz (tempranillo) and Jaen, 35% Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. Legally, all Dao red wines must contain at least 20% of Touriga Nacional. Touriga Nacional is the highest quality grape in Portugal -- AND it's fun to say... go ahead and say it!

The Duoro

This is the Port producing center in Portugal. Also located on a river.. mmm hmmm... the Duoro (this becomes the Duero across the border in Spain) which has carved through the slatey soil of the valley over millions of years. This shows our vineyards in dramatic terraces overlooking the windy river. It is also very steep and so many quintas have no choice but to hand harvest. Quinta do Crasto is one such winery. They produce a consistently award winning Touriga wine and this is their everyday wine. It's made up of Tinta Roriz (the same as Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional. Apparently this region, much like the Dao has been looked down on in the past as an area that produces poor still wines, but it seems like that is changing.

• Tinta Roriz is powerful with lots of color and tannin.
  
• Tinta Barroca is feminine and charming


• Touriga Francesa is highly floral


• Tinto Cao is refined and delicate


• Tinta da Barca which is very spicy
  

I found the above when I was looking for information about the wines - I thought it was interesting. I think the art of blending is really fascinating and to strike that balance must be really challenging!
Here's what I thought:

Crasto:
deep ruby

nose: sweet cherry, raspberry vanilla,

palate: medium bodied, acidic, more raspberries on the palate balanced. Silky and velvety.

Dao

deep ruby towards purple

nose: sweet purple plums, boysenberry, blackberry, sweet black liquorice

palate: bright fruit, aggressive alcohol - a little too much alcohol to be balanced. It was beautiful to smell,but not as great to drink!

My thoughts -- If i had to choose, I'd pick the Crasto. The Dao was just a little to out of balance and the acidity and alcohol was a little out of whack. Plus I saw what the winemakers look like at Crasto....