DOURO
WORLD HERITAGE
DEMARCATED DOURO REGION
Located in northern Portugal and regulated in 1756 the Douro demarcated Region (the oldest in the world) occupies a total area of 250,000 ha along the basin of the Douro river. The distinctive feature of the great Douro valley are the vineyards with 45,000 ha divided into three regions, separated by climatic and socio-economic and climate factors: Baixo Corgo; Cima Corgo; Douro Superior.
Surrounded by mountains that protect it from the moist winds of the Atlantic, the climate of the region is characterised by very cold winters and hot, dry summers. While there is granite too, the soils are largely schist - poor and stony - on which man has had a decisive influence.
Grown mainly on the slopes that follow the winding Douro river and its affluents, the vine may be grown traditionally, on narrow terraces supported by dry stone walling; horizontally across levels where the topography permits; or vertically where the lines of planting follow the steepness of the slope.
UNESCO recognised the unique impact of man on the landscape in designating the alto Douro wine region as a World Heritage site in 2001. It is now renowned for the outstanding character of its beauty and the pleasure of discovering the range of its contrasts.
Surrounded by mountains that protect it from the moist winds of the Atlantic, the climate of the region is characterised by very cold winters and hot, dry summers. While there is granite too, the soils are largely schist - poor and stony - on which man has had a decisive influence.
Grown mainly on the slopes that follow the winding Douro river and its affluents, the vine may be grown traditionally, on narrow terraces supported by dry stone walling; horizontally across levels where the topography permits; or vertically where the lines of planting follow the steepness of the slope.
UNESCO recognised the unique impact of man on the landscape in designating the alto Douro wine region as a World Heritage site in 2001. It is now renowned for the outstanding character of its beauty and the pleasure of discovering the range of its contrasts.
1678
A Alfândega do Porto regista, pela 1ª vez, com a designação de Vinho do Porto, os vinhos exportados pela barra do Douro.
1678
1703
Assinou-se o importante Tratado de Methwen, no Reinado de D.Pedro II, que consistia em reduzir certos direitos sobre os nossos vinhos em troca de abrirmos as portas aos produtos ingleses.
1756
Foi aprovada a instituição da Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro.
1756
1843
Alguns anos após a extinção da Companhia, por D. Maria II, assiste-se à sua reestruturação, mas com menos poderes.
1907
Foi redefinida por João Franco a Região Demarcada dos Vinhos Generosos do Douro, pelo Decreto-Lei nº1 de 10 de Maio.
1907
1926
Foi criado o Entreposto do Douro em Vila Nova de Gaia, destinado ao armazenamento e exportação dos vinhos da Região Demarcada do Douro, pelo Decreto-Lei nº12009 de 31 de Julho.
1932
Foi criada a Federação Sindical dos Viticultores da Região do Douro, hoje CASA DO DOURO, através do Decreto-Lei nº21883, de 19 de Novembro.
1932
2001
O Alto Douro Vinhateiro (ADV) foi inscrito na lista do Património Mundial da Humanidade, na categoria de Paisagem Cultural Evolutiva e Viva.
