GG_N50_FR

JOÃO PORTUGAL RAMOS
WITH HIS SON JOÃO MARIA, ALSO
A WINEMAKER, AND FILIPA, HIS
DAUGHTER WHO WORKS
IN MARKETING
JOÃO PORTUGAL
RAMOS’ TEAM
TOURIGA FRANCA,
EASY TO GROW, BUT COMPLEX ON THE PALATE
Previously known as Touriga Francesa – despite the fact that there is no connection with
France – this grape variety is one of the most widely grown in Portugal. It is an easy
variety to work with and thrives on schist soils with low fertility, explains winemaker
João Maria Portugal Ramos. He is the son of João Portugal Ramos, one of Portugal’s most
internationally renowned winemakers, who has made a significant contribution to the
reputation of Portuguese wines over the past twenty years. João Portugal Ramos and his
team now produce wines in four regions across the country but they grow Touriga Franca
in the Douro and Alentejo regions. João Maria Portugal Ramos admits, though, that
the best results are obtained in the Douro Superior, where the weather is hot and dry.
This native variety is resistant to water stress and uses its leaves to protect its clusters
from direct sunlight. With its long growing season and moderate yields, it can be
harvested by hand or machine. But on this particular estate, the Touriga Franca grapes
are generally picked by hand. Touriga Franca produces very structured, complex wines
with lots of volume on the palate. These features are essential for producing high quality
Port, explains João Maria Portugal Ramos. The variety is therefore used to produce the
storied Portuguese fortified wine, but not just for that. Blended with other grape varieties,
it forms the basis for several other estate reds. “It is a good age-worthy variety but
must be blended with a variety with higher acidity to produce the best ageing potential”.
WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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