20th century BC: Traces of vitis vinifera seeds at archaeological sites in the Douro;
3rd-4th century BC: - Traces found in several archaeological sites of the Douro region testify to the intensification of winemaking in Roman times;
1675: The expression "PORT wine" appears for the first time, in the discourse on the Introduction of the Arts in the Kingdom, by Duarte Ribeiro Macedo;
1756: The Marquis of Pombal, Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, created the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR), laying the foundations of a system of regulation of the production and commerce of its wines through the royal charter of incorporation of the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (General Upper Douro Vineyards Agricultural Company);
1868: Phylloxera decimates almost all the vines of the DDR;
1933: Port Wine Institute (1933);
1986: The ageing of Port in the Douro is deregulated;
2003: Douro and Port Wine Institute.

Climate
Mediterranean microclimate - "Nine months of winter and three months of summer". Winters are very rainy and harsh, snowing in some regions. The summers are long and very hot and the temperature can reach 40°C - 47°C. As we move up from Baixo Corgo to Douro Superior the temperatures increase, and precipitation decreases.
 
Soils
Soils are composed of schist, and are generally poor in certain nutrients. These soils have the great advantage of retaining some water, and of "dosing" it for the plant at the times of the year when its needs are greatest for its good development.

Varieties
The DDR has the particularity of having many authorised varieties for wine production. However, at present, the new plantations have opted for a smaller number of grape varieties, chosen for their particular characteristics - about 30 red and white varieties in total.
 
White Varieties
Arinto, Boal, Cercial, Côdega, Donzelinho Branco, Esgana Cão, Folgasão, Gouveio, Malvasia Corada, Malvasia Fina, Moscatel Galego, Rabigato, Viosinho, Samarrinho.
 
Red Varieties
Bastardo, Cornifesto, Donzelinho, Malvasia, Mourisco Tinto, Periquita, Rufete, Sousão, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Brasileira, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz

Whites - White Port is produced in various styles, namely associated with periods of more or less prolonged ageing, and different degrees of sweetness, which result from the way in which it is produced.
 
Rosé - Wines of reddish pink colour. An evolution is intended that preserves the aromas of red fruits with slight floral hints, typical of new wines.
 
Ruby - Wines of a red or deep purple colour. These wines mature in large vats of wood and stainless steel. Long contact with the air (oxygenation) is avoided, in order to retain their primary, fruity, freshness until bottling.
 
Tawny - Depending on the age, these wines show an evolution in the colour, that can range from a reddish amber colour to the orange, brownish and greenish colours. They are wines that gradually age in oak barrels and casks (or vats), where they have a lot of contact with the wood and consequent oxygenation, thus developing their characteristics. They develop complex aromas and flavours of dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, cedar, etc.