Tinto Cao the name means Red Dog in Portuguese, is a red wine variety formerly used chiefly as part of the blend in Port. Nowadays the variety is increasing used in red wine blends and occasionally as a varietal dry red wine.
The origin of this variety is the regions of Dao and the Douro in Northern Portugal. Overall the plantings are declining in line with the decline in port wine production but some producers are increasingly interested in using the variety for dry red table wine.
Tinto Cao is known for producing wines with intense colour and aromas capable of ageing.
It is particularly favoured as a component of vintage port because of its ability to age.
Tinto Cao is one of several Portuguese varieties that were brought to Australia to make port style wines. They are still used for that purpose, but they are also used to add flavour to blended dry red wines.
For example the highly regarded Yarra Yering Dry Red No 3 is a blend of predominantly Touriga National and includes (in diminishing proportions) Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela, Alvarelhao, Roriz and Sousão.
With the growing popularity of Touriga in Australia other Portuguese varieties like Tinta Cao are receiving attention as blending partners for dry red wines.
Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and José Vouillamoz
Until recently Tinto Cao wine was rarely used to make varietal red wines.
These varieties now used in Australia all originated in Spain or Portugal
Albarino | Arinto | Cabernet franc | Graciano | Grenache | Grenache gris | Mataro/Mourvedre | Mencia | Palomino | Pedro Ximenez | Souzao | Tinto Cao | Tinta Negra Molle | Touriga | Trincadeira | Verdejo | VerdelhoYou can find more about the wines of the Iberian Peninsula with the Wine Map of Spain and Portugal.
This dozen contains 2 bottles from each of six different producers in several regions. The varieties included are Alicante Bouschet, Carmenere, Lagrein, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, plus a red blend from Heathcote containing Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Lagrein, Schioppettino & a little Lambrusco Maestro.
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