Touriga Nacional could reshape Bordeaux

Unsung Portuguese grape Touriga Nacional could reshape Bordeaux, according to Tim Atkin MW, who hosted the first of a series of Discover the Origin masterclasses aimed at independent retailers at The Mayfair Hotel on Monday night (14 March).

Atkin told the drinks business: “Touriga Nacional is one of the great red grape varieties of the world. It’s incredibly adaptable and people are just beginning to experiment with it.

“Louis Roederer has planted it at its Bordeaux Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, and it’s doing really well there. I think it might reshape Bordeaux.”

Atkin also spoke in praise of the Douro Valley, predicting it to become one of the great red wine regions of the world.

“I don’t think we’ve discovered just how good the Douro can be – we’re just scratching the surface. There’s more to come from the region; it could potentially become one of the great red wine regions of the world.”

The masterclasses, which will take place across the UK in March – including one hosted by Simon Woods in Chester tonight, have been put on to raise awareness of the three-year, EU-funded, Discover the Origin campaign.

Designed to educate both consumers and retailers about the importance of provenance, Discover the Origin promotes wines from Burgundy, the Douro Valley and Port, alongside Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which both enjoy Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

“If we lose the connection to where a wine comes from then it ceases to have any meaning. Wines with personality that speak of a place – these are the wines we should aspire to drink and sell”, said Atkin.

Further masterclasses will be held in Bournemouth on 21 March, York on 24 March and Birmingham on 28 March.

To see our full video interview with Tim Atkin MW, click here

Lucy Shaw, 16.03.2011