10 Oct., 1916.] Portuguese Wine Varieties. 625 



According to Count Odart, it is the variety which contributes most 

 to the good quality of the Douro or Porto wines, and principally by 

 its fine colour. 



Conselheiro Aguiar (1866) states that Tourigo is late (Serodia), 

 of abundant production, not Anneira, and that it ripens its fruit from 

 first to fifth October. It prefers soils of medium strength, and yields 

 poorly on cold soils. He deals mth the three sub-varieties mentioned 

 above. 



Oliveira Junior (1871) states that — 



" Of the different varieties cultivated on the Douro, Touriga has been observed 

 to best resist unfavorable climatic conditions; in addition it has anotlier and not 

 less valuable advantage : that of yielding abundantly. These two advantages 

 lead us to recommend its propagation in substitution of other sorts which do not 

 combine these conditions. Some growers, realizing this, are proceeding to graft." 



Cincinnato da Costa deals at some length in Portugal Vinicola 



with Touriga, which — 



" May be considered one of the most precious black grape of the Douro 

 region. It is known as Tourirjo in the adjoining province of Beira Alta and 



Fig. 8. — Leaves of Touriga (about one-third natural size). 



Photo, taken at Quinta da Boa Vista, Alta Douro, Portugal, in October 1907. 

 The leaves are spotted with Bordeaux mixture, sprayed to prevent Downy Mildew 

 {Plastnopara viticola) . 



Azdl in Minho. On the Douro it is known as Touriga Fino to distinguish it 

 from two otlier sub-varieties, viz., TourigiTo, Tourigo or Touriga Maclio (male) 

 and Touriga Fourfeira, which are inferior." 



" Touriga is a variety of which the value is well known and justly appreciated 

 in the north of the country for the quality and quantity of its yield. It is one of 

 the typical sorts of the Douro region where it forms an integral part of the 

 principal vineyards. It seems here to be so well suited to the prevailing con- 

 (lition^^ that it is the one wliicli best resists adverse weather conditions." 



" In the Beira region (further soiitli) especially between the rivers Moudeuo 

 and Dilo where the wines have a character of their own and are justly celebrated, 

 Touriga is tiie predominating variety niul the one from wliich are nuiinlv derived 

 the notable qualities which characterise the wines of the vineyards which fringe 

 these rivers." 



