21 - Portugal Part 2 Flashcards
How does the growing environment of Bairrada differ/compare from Dao? (3)
coast
Rainfall same → spring or autumn
alluvial in W + limestone-clay in S
Baga is Bairrada’s signature grape variety.
Describe its ripening and how it yields - what challenges do these present?
Where are best examples planted?
Describe style of wine produced.
How may some styles be labelled and what does this indicate?
- Late ripening → autumn rain
- Productive
-
Best examples → warm, infertile soils
- clay + limestone
- pebbles + rocks →reflect heat
- SW slopes protected from N winds
- Style Cranberry, cherry, plum, high acid + tannin, med body
- Labelling Baga Classico → 50% Baga
How has the winemaking approach to Baga changed over time?
Cheap
→ high yields, high acid → rosé e.g. Mateus
Traditional
ferment on stems + old oak maturation → soften tannin e.g. toneis Portugese/Brazilian wood
Modern
- destemmed
- some wholebunch/stems for fruity/ tannin
- SST - lagares for ferment
- large oak for matur, some foudres
White wines in Bairrada are made from a blend of Maria Gomes, Bical, Arinto and Cercial. Briefly describe each variety.
What soil types are inexp + HQ grapes usually grown on respectively?
Maria Gomes and Bical are both early-ripening, why is this useful in Bairrada?
Maria Gomes early rip + yields well, med(+) acid, citrus, floral
Bical early rip, med(+) acid, tropical fruit
Arinto and Cercial apple, citrus + add acid to blends
Inexp wine grown on sandy soil
HQ wine grown on limestone-clay
Damp climate → disruption to flowering + fruit set
Which other varieties may be grown and blended with Baga in Bairraida?
Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro
Cab and Merlot → add body + soften tannin
Describe the size, situation and growing environment of the Alentejo.
Size large
Climate Med with inlands → extreme temps
Topography vaires → 8 non-contiguous areas. Poralegre → 800m, located N → cooler. Many plains + gentle slopes
Rainfall 800mm N - 500mm S -→ irrigation
Soils various - schist, granite + limestone, sand to clay
Briefly describe notable styles of wine, including the grapes commonly used, produced in Alentejo.
1. Red blends from Aragonez (Tinta R), Alicante B +Trincadeira
- Aragonez early rip → harvest early
- Alicante Bouschet adds colour, acid, tannin
- Trincadeira high yields, rot, med acid/tannin + black berry, spice
- Int’l varieties may also be added esp. Syrah
- Inexp - prem
2. White blends from Roupeiro, Arinto + int’l Chardonnay, Viognier
- Roupeiro rot, retains acid, citrus + stone→ age
- Arinto retains acid
3. Antao Vaz
- drought tolerant
- range of styles
- early→ late-harvest
- tropical fruit + oak
- talha → skin contact
- may also be blended with above → can lack acid in warmest regions
Describe the growing conditions of Lisboa VR and the style of wines it produces.
- Large area split into 2 by mountain range
- W side maritime with winds
- E side protected→ riper wines
- Wines are largely inexp
Reds defined styles →
- T.N + Aragonez
- int’l e.g. Syrah + C.S
Whites
- blends from local varieties esp. Arinto
- int’l varieties e.g. S.B, Riesling
How important are DOCs like Colares within Lisboa?
Historic importance for Q
Colares on coast→ HQ, fresh wines →ungrafted bush vines → local grapes
Production less than 10% + name Lisboa is more recognisable
The Mediterranean climate of Peninsula de Setubal is best known for which style of wine?
Palmela DOC
- reds from 2/3 Castelão
- deep colour
- full bodied
- often oak matured
- best examples →age-worthy → grown on warm, sandy plain
Briefly describe the growing environment of Tejo. What styles of wine are produced?
- Med climate → winter rain(750mm)
- N→ more rain, clay-limest + schist→ red wine
- Alluvial plains → whites
- Dry + hot S → red + white
- VR + DOC share same name
- most prod is inexp, early drinking
- from variety of a range of local + int’l varieties
- Arinto, Alvarinho, S.B, Chard
