dão

Dão is a Portuguese wine region in central Portugal, centered on the Dão River valley, largely within the district of Viseu with parts extending toward Guarda. The landscape is hilly, with elevations that give a cooler climate than many other parts of the country. Soils are predominantly granitic, with pockets of clay and schist, contributing to acidity and mineral character in the wines. The climate features Atlantic influence, with cool nights and moderate warmth in the summer, helping preserve acidity and balance.

The region produces both white and red wines. White varieties include Encruzado as the flagship, often blended with Bical, Malvasia Fina, and Cerceal Branco. Red varieties include Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Aragonez), Jaen, Alfrocheiro Preto, and other traditional grapes. Wines from Dão are generally defined by elegance and balance rather than high extraction. White wines range from dry, aromatic expressions with citrus and mineral notes to more fulsome styles involving oak aging. Red wines tend to be medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins, dark fruit flavors, and a potential for aging.

Dão has a long winemaking history and is one of Portugal's oldest recognized wine regions. It is designated as a Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC) and features a network of estates and co-operatives, as well as a growing wine tourism circuit, including the Dão Wine Route with tastings and cellar visits.