Souzao

Souzão (also spelled Vinhão in parts of northern Portugal) is a deeply colored, thick-skinned red grape most closely associated with the Minho and Douro regions, where it contributes intensity and aromatics to both still and fortified wines. The vine shows moderate to high vigor, producing small berries in compact clusters, and tends to ripen early to mid-season with naturally high acidity—attributes that make it well suited to warm, sunny sites. It thrives in well-drained granitic or schistous soils and benefits from careful canopy management to control vigor and ensure uniform ripening, especially in humid or Atlantic-influenced climates where disease pressure can be significant.

Souzão is known for its exceptionally deep color, vibrant acidity, and bold flavor profile, often showing notes of black and blue fruits, dark plum, floral tones, and a distinctive, slightly tart edge. In the Douro, it adds freshness, pigment, and aromatic lift to Port blends, while varietal or table wine expressions can be structured, energetic, and intensely flavored. Its combination of color, acidity, and aromatic purity has also made Souzão increasingly interesting to producers seeking lively, fruit-driven styles with good aging potential.