•Demarcated Douro Region viticulture, ecosystem and environment.•Influence of Demarcated Douro Region terroir in Port wine quality.•Climate, soil, ampelography and human activity as the main pillars of terroir.•Color, aroma, and flavor of different styles of Port wines. Port wine is an internationally acclaimed fortified wine produced in Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) in Portugal, and recognized with protected designation of origin. This review represents a compilation of the known chromatic and aromatic descriptors of Port wine. A comprehensive review of literature is performed regarding the influence of geography, climate, soil, grapevine cultivars, and vitivinicultural practices on the unique Port wine attributes. This manuscript provides an extensive insight regarding the different aspects that influence the quality and uniqueness of Port wine, especially its main sensory attributes: colour, aroma, and flavour. Its main goal is to assess the importance of the DDR as a unique and defined terroir that ensures quality and confers authenticity.