In the north-east of Portugal, north of the Douro region, there is the Trás-os-Montes wine region which is divided into three sub-regions: Chaves, Valpaços and Mirandês Planalto.

The name Trás-os-Montes refers to the region's location: it lies beyond the Marão and Alvão mountains, north of the Douro River. It is a mountainous area and with essentially granite soils.

Its climate is Mediterranean with continental influence, more rustic and cold in the planaltic areas. It is dry and very hot in summer and, on the contrary, temperatures often reach negative values in winter.

Since the time of the Romans occupied our territory the vineyard was cultivated and wine was produced in the region of Trás-os-Montes, making them known and appreciated for their qualities.

To the east of the Minho, to the Spanish border with which it also confines to the North, extends this vast region, ending in the left bank of the Douro, where the Beiras begin.

The soils of this region are predominantly formed by pre-Cambrian and archaic shales with some granite patches, and in a small area there are calcareous spots of gneisses and alluvium.

Due to the microclimates that are so disparate in this region that they originate in particular: at altitude, sun exposure, rainfall and temperature, it is possible to find wines from the ones with low color and acidic characteristics, to those with dark concentrated color and thick wines.

In the South zone, is the zone demarcated for the production of the "Port Wine". It was in the second half of the 17th century that the great expansion of the "Riba d'Oyro" Wine, later renamed "Vinho de Embarque" and later Port Wine, became the most famous Portuguese liqueur of the world.

The history of Port wine is intrinsically related to the history of Portugal. Port wine is produced from the time of the discoveries. Oporto was the 1 demarcated region of the world.

According to the history the increase of production of Douro wine, was due to the increasing English demand.

The powdery mildew and the phylloxera destroyed much of the vineyard of the marked region, which made everything necessary to be rethought. Also here was the hand of the Marquis of Pombal who with his innovative ideas gave a new hope to the Douro.

The Port Wine Institute (formerly Casa do Douro) regulates the production and marketing of this product since the time of the Marques de Pombal.

The most planted red varieties are Trincadeira, Bastardo, Marufo, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. The most important white varieties in the region are Syria, Fernão Pires, Gouveio, Malvasia Fina, Rabigato and Viosinho.

The red wines of this region are generally fruity and slightly astringent. The white wines are soft and floral scented.