Periquita

[peh-ree-KEE-tah] A red-wine grape grown throughout southern Portugal, especially in the coastal areas. Periquita produces full-bodied (see body) wines that can be quite harsh when young. They age well, however, and soften in the bottle, developing into firm-structured wines with a hint of fig in the flavor. In Portugal's Algrave region, Periquita is often blended with tinta negra mole, producing a much lighter style of wine. Periquita is also known as Castelhão Frances or Castelão Francês and João de Santarém.