Touriga Francesa (orTouriga Franca) is one of the major grape varieties used to produce port wine. Touriga Francesa is lighter and more perfumed than Touriga Nacional, adding finesse to the wine. Touriga Francesa has been described by Jancis Robinson as playing "Cabernet Franc to Touriga Nacional’s Cabernet Sauvignon".[1] It is a cross of two other indigenous Portuguese wine grape varieties Mourisco tinto and Touriga Nacional.[2] Touriga Francesa is quite similar to Touriga Nacional, needing harsh conditions to keep vigor down as it gets on the steep arid slopes of the Douro. It is usually trained low to the ground under one of the Royat systems. Yields are medium (1,5 kg/vine), not as bad as Touriga Nacional.
| Touriga Francesa | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 | |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Touriga Franca (more) |
| Origin | Portugal |
| Pedigree parent 1 | Mourisco tinto |
| Pedigree parent 2 | Touriga Nacional |
| Notable regions | Douro, Dão |
| Notable wines | Port |
| Formation of seeds | Complete |
| Sex of flowers | Hermaphrodite |
| VIVC number | 12593 |
Albino de Souza, Esgana Cão, Rifete, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Franca, Touriga Francesca.[2]