There is more to Portuguese wine than port, as the country is capable of producing exceptional still table wine. Critics testify to the potential of the Douro Valley’s native grape varieties (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Cao) to be blended into wines of unique character, sophistication, power and complexity.
One of the Douro’s iconic estates is Casa Ferreirinha. When it was founded in 1952 Casa Ferreirinha was the first Douro estate to produce non-fortified wine in the shape of the legendary Barca-Velha, which alongside Quinta da Leda remain its most celebrated wines. Some vintages of Barca-Velha are extremely rare, possessing exceptional maturity. Other Casa Ferreirinha wines like the Papa Figos Douro Tinto spend less time on the shelf, and offer more immediate pleasures.