Touriga Nacional is a vigorous vine and has gained the reputation of being Portugal's noblest variety. It is the backbone of port and is widely grown in the Douro Valley, despite the belief that its origins lie in Dão to the south (there is a village in Dão named Tourigo thought to have given its name to the variety). Touriga Nacional is planted increasingly widely in Portugal and it is also cultivated in Spain, California, Washington, New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil.