Souzao

APPEARANCE

ON THE VINE: both the bunch and berries are quite small. When fully ripe, the berries turn grey blue. The skins are tough and conspicuously dark.

IN THE GLASS: the variety produces red juice, so adds valuable colour to a blend. The wines are an intense dark red, bordering on black.

SMELL

Plums and mulberries.

TASTE

Although some wines may be coarse and raisiny, others have complex berry-like flavours. It tends to be somewhat neutral when vinified on its own.

ORIGIN

Sousão (or Souzão) originated in Portugal, in the Douro Valley and Minho regions. It is still a valuable blending component in port, adding colour, acid and a youthful fruit character, but the variety is not as highly prized as other port mainstays such as Bastardo, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Francisca and Touriga Naçional.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

The grape was introduced to the Cape together with other port varieties in the second half of the 20th century. The vine is particularly well adapted to warm climatic regions, but can be susceptible to sun damage. It is cultivated in the Malmesbury, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Calitzdorp areas.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

Also planted in California's very hot regions, and in Australia.