Beiras region of central Portugal provides a natural link between the cool,
green meadows of the north and the hot, dry pastures of the south.
Coimbra, the provincial capital, is the birthplace of six kings and the seat of
Portugal's first university, reputedly the second oldest in the world.
Its old cathedral is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in
Europe.
Further inland, the peak of the Serra da Estrela (Star Mountain) is the highest
point on mainland Portugal.
The terrain in the Beiras is diverse as is the climate and its flavours.
• Dão DOC
This major region is in the heart of the Beira Alta and produces many red and
white wines.
The Dão region is to the east of the Bairrada region being geographically larger
in size and covering 16 municipalities in the area between Viseu, Guarda and
Coimbra.
The vines are grown in the valleys on slopes generally starting at an altitude
of 200 mts. up to about 500 mts.
The soil is basically granite which favours the red varieties.
The reds are strong, deep in colour and full-bodied.
The whites tend to be aromatic and fruity and some are bottled as sparkling
rosé.
The vineyards, landscapes, chants/songs and charms of the demarcated region of
the Dao reveal its secrets in each of the sub-regions.
Knowing each one of these is like travelling within its own wines.
Now give a first step into this long and rewarding journey to a region of
sensations.
The basic laws of the Region contemplates the existence of the following
sub-regions, with its own personality
• Alva - Formed of the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Tábua.
• Besteiros
Formed of the municipalities of Mortágua and Santa Comba Dao in its entirety and
the parishes of the Barreiro de Besteiros Campo de Besteiros, Canas de Santa
Maria, Caparrosa, Castelões, Dardavaz, Ferreirós do do Dão, Lageosa Dão, Lobao
da Beira Molelos, Mosteiro de Fráguas, Mouraz, Nandufe, Parada de Gonta,
Sabugosa, Santiago de Besteiros, San Miguel do Outeiro, Tonda, Tondela, Tourigo,
Vila Nova da Rainha and Vilar de Besteiros, all belonging to the Muncipality of
Tondela.
• Castendo
Made up of the municipality of Penalva do Castelo and the parishes of Rio de
Moinhos and Silva de Cima in the muncipality of Sátão.
• Serra da Estrela
The joining/union of the parishes of Arcozelo da Serra, Cativelos, Figueira da
Serra, Freixo da Serra, Lagarinhos, Meio, Moimenta da Serra, Nabais, Nespereira,
Paços da Serra, Ribamondego, Rio Torto, São Julião, São Paio, São Pedro, Vila
Cortez da Serra, Vila Franca da Serra, Vila Nova de Tazem e Vinhó, the
municipality of Gouveia, and the parishes of Carragosela, Folhadosa, Girabolhos,
Lages, Paranhos da Beira, Pinhanços, São Martinho, São Romão, Sameice, Sandomil,
Santa Comba de Seia, Santa Eulália, Santa Marinha, Santiago, Seia, Torrozelo,
Tourais, Travancinha e Várzea de Meruge and belonging to the municipality of
Seia.
• Silgueiros - Parishes of Fragosela, Povolide, São João de Lourosa, Evos and
Silgueiros of the city Viseu.
• Terras de Azurara - Formed only by the Muncipality of Mangualde.
• Terras de Senhorim - Union of the Muncipalities of Carregal do Sal and Nelas.
• IPR Lafões
This area located in the valley of the River Vouga covers the municipalities of
Lafões Oliveira de Frades, São Pedro do Sul and Vouzela located to the west of
Viseu.
Vineyards are placed on terraces and the vines are grown on high trellises.
The red wine ages well but tends to have high levels of acidity.
The white wine has low alcohol content, and is crisp with a fruity bite, more
akin to Vinho Verde but using varietals and taste of the Beiras region.
• Vinho Regional (VR) Terras do Dão
Those wines of good quality from the Dão and Lafões regions that don't adhere to
the stringent DOC restraints or outside the designated areas.
Some of Portugals most innovative winemakers decide to opt out of the
appellation system.