Touriga Nacional is one of Portugal’s indigenous grapes and has gained an international reputation for being both high-quality and highly affordable. It is one of the main parts of a fortified Port wine, where it brings a dark inky color and substantial tannin levels.
By all accounts, Touriga Nacional is a bold, intense wine, full of dark fruit flavours, cocoa, mint and violet. It deserves to be paired with rich foods that would drown out a lesser wine, such as heavy meats, dishes with strong barbecue flavours, or dense, tomato-based dishes.
Meat That Pairs Well With Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional is a great pairing for pretty much any meat, except for seafood. Try it with a beef burger and all the toppings, a lamb tagine (or just a herby rack of lamb), lasagna, or any variety of barbecued meats.
Pairing Touriga Nacional with meats such as these is more than a simple case of using the wine to its full potential. Fattier meats can serve to absorb some of those tooth-staining tannins, unlocking more of the wine’s flavour. In terms of pairing that flavour, you can try to match it with something that contains mint, such as lamb chops with garlic mint sauce.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Touriga Nacional
The same principle that works for meat also works for cheese. Try pairing Touriga Nacional with fatty cheeses. They don’t necessarily have to be strongly flavoured, as the creaminess of the cheese will simply serve to release the subtle floral side of Touriga Nacional. Think along the lines of Brie, Gruyere, or even a yoghurty dip like Tzatziki.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Touriga Nacional
When it comes to appetizers, you should again think along the lines of ample, fatty foods. These will cushion some of the tannins and make the wine seem smoother and more flavourful, which is perfect for a pre-dinner drink. Consider pairing Touriga Nacional with BBQ wings and blue cheese, potatoes stuffed with cheese and sour cream, or some simple chips with a dip.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Touriga Nacional
Despite its affinity for meat, there are a lot of vegetarian dishes that will work with Touriga Nacional. Filling dishes like roast potatoes with some simple seasoning and lots of butter will be fantastic. In a similar vein, you can think about roast cauliflower or buttery turnips. Lentil dishes will also be a great choice, bringing subtle smokiness and meaty qualities to the dish. Bonus points if you cook up a dal with coconut milk, to absorb some of Touriga Nacional’s tannins.
Herbs That Pair Well With Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional pairs equally well with peppery spices and verdant, refreshing herbs. Try and include some of these in your dish: Mint, fennel, black pepper, basil, parsley, cilantro or dill.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Touriga Nacional
In short, do not pair Touriga Nacional with fish or dishes with delicate flavours. You want something that can stand up to the boldness of Touriga Nacional, and that won’t cause a bitter catastrophe in your mouth when it meets the wine’s intense tannins.
Best Foods To Eat With Touriga Nacional
The most enjoyable foods to eat with Touriga Nacional will be just as bold as the wine. These are some of our top choices:
- Lamb Chops
- Beef Burger with Fries
- BBQ Wings with Blue Cheese
- Roast Potatoes with Sour Cream
- Lasagna
