Távora-Varosa

DO since 1999 · traditional method

Távora-Varosa is a DO in inland northern Portugal whose espumante must be made by the traditional method, with the second fermentation in the bottle.1 The wine must spend at least 9 months in bottle before the expedition liqueur is added.1

Status

Decree-Law 443/99 of 2 November 1999 merged two earlier regions, Encostas da Nave and Varosa (created in 1989), into the DOC Távora-Varosa.2 The technical rules for the DO and for the regional IG Terras de Cister are set in Portaria 151/2012 of 18 May 2012.1

Zone

The DO covers parishes in eight municipalities: Moimenta da Beira, Penedono, São João da Pesqueira, Sernancelhe, Tabuaço, Armamar, Lamego and Tarouca.2

Method

DO espumante must be made by the traditional method, with the second fermentation in the bottle.1 The base wine is made by bica-aberta (fermentation without skin contact) or with brief skin contact.1 See traditional method and pressing.

Minimum ageing

The wine must spend at least 9 months in the bottle before the expedition liqueur is added.1 In practice this sets the minimum time between tirage and the final dosage. See dosage and expedition liqueur and ageing minimums compared.

Grapes

Annex II lists about 48 varieties. Examples include Malvasia-Fina, Cerceal, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.1,2 No espumante-specific minimum shares were found in the text.

Yield

WineMaximum yield
Red80 hl/ha
White and rosé90 hl/ha

Source: Portaria 151/2012.1

Not verified

Portaria 151/2012 does not set sugar categories or Reserva categories for espumante, and the regional commission's site could not be opened during research. These points are therefore not covered here. No official production figure was verified.

Two Portuguese sparkling DOs compared

RuleBairradaTávora-Varosa
MethodBottle fermentation3Traditional, second fermentation in bottle1
Minimum time9 months at the producer from bottling, before sale39 months in bottle before the expedition liqueur1
Grapes28 listed varieties4About 48 listed varieties1
Maximum yield120 hl/ha (base wine)380 hl/ha red, 90 hl/ha white and rosé1

See also

PortugalRegionsBairradaRegionsTraditional methodMethodsDosage and liqueur d’expéditionMethodsMinimum ageing by appellationMethodsChardonnayGrapes

Sources

  1. Diário da República (FAOLEX copy). Portaria n.º 151/2012, de 18 de maio - DO Távora-Varosa and IG Terras de Cister (2012-05-18)
  2. Diário da República (FAOLEX copy). Decreto-Lei n.º 443/99, de 2 de Novembro - Estatuto da Região Vitivinícola de Távora-Varosa (1999-11-02)
  3. Diário da República (via informador.pt). Portaria n.º 212/2014, de 14 de outubro - DO Bairrada (2014-10-14)
  4. Diário da República (via informador.pt). Portaria n.º 335/2015, de 6 de outubro - 1st amendment to Portaria 212/2014 (2015-10-06)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19