Dão region
The Demarcated Region of Dão wines, established in 1908, occupies, almost entirely, the southern half of the province of Beira Alta, extending over an area of 3760 km2, of which around 5% is occupied by vineyards, with a area of 20,000h.
This region, where vineyards predominate between 400-500 m, but up to 800 m, is known as the Birthplace of the Touriga Nacional and Encruzado grape varieties.
LOCATION
The region is divided into three large zones that give rise to three types of wine, although with similar characteristics;
North Central Zone: With rugged relief, it is influenced by the Dão River, and partially encompasses the municipalities of Viseu and Tondela and in full the municipalities of Nelas, Carregal do Sal, Mangualde and Penalva do Castelo.
South Central Zone: With a flat topography or less accentuated and uniform relief, it is dominated by the Mondego River, and encompasses the municipalities of Gouveia and Seia.
Peripheral Zone: Dominated by the Estrela, Açor, Lousã, Buçaco, Caramulo and Nave da Lapa mountains.
The grape varieties
In addition to the climate conditions, production methods and terroir, the characteristics of Dão wines are strongly linked to the region’s traditional grape varieties. Adega de Silgueiros vinificates mainly the red varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Tinta Pinheira and Alfrocheiro Preto.
In terms of white grape varieties, the main ones are Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Bical and Cerceal Branco.
THE CLIMATE
Given the orographic characteristics of the region, surrounded by mountains, a wide variety of microclimates can be expected. It is surrounded to the West by the peaks of Caramulo and Buçaco and to the North and East by the imposing Nave and Estrela mountains, which constitute an important barrier to the humid masses of the coast and the harsh continental winds.
The region has a climate that, although temperate, is, however, quite cold and rainy in winter and, often, very dry and hot in summer. The combination of these factors contributes to a unique terroir of Dão Wines.
GEOLOGY
The vast majority of Dão vineyards are located on land with granite soils, generally of low fertility, and the other part on schist soils and areas further south and west.
Porphyroid granite, also called horse’s tooth, is the hallmark of the region where around 97% of the vineyards are located.
