Touriga, Touriga, Touriga
The theme of the Oporto conference is ‘Discover Touriga Nacional’, the grape that Portugal is trying to turn into its ex-libris. I have a few problems with this. While I have no qualms about the undoubted qualities of Touriga Nacional as a variety, I am not convinced by TN as a varietal or monocasta as the Portuguese say. Like Cabernet Sauvignon which can be very one dimensional on its own, Touriga Nacional has a rather nebulous floral fragrance and a sweetness which flatters and leaves a slightly sickly finish.