3. Port Flashcards
What are the historic origins of Port?
Originated in the 17th century following trade wars between England and France where England sought alternative wines from Portugal and brandy started to be added to ensure the dry wines arrived to England in good condition.
How did the practice of fortifying wine begin?
When two British merchants visited the Abbot of Lamego and found the sweet wines were of higher quality so began shipping stocks to England.
What was the traditional role of a shipper?
Acted as an agent that took commission for shipping Port abroad.
What is the more modern role of a shipper?
As producers with their own vineyards, wineries and bottling facilities.
What 1703 treaty ensured Portuguese wines received lower rates of duty in England than any other country?
The Metheun Treaty.
In what year were Port vineyards officially demarcated and why?
1756 - to create production regulations to limit low quality oversupply that had occurred due to Port’s popularity.
The Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Duoro (aka Real Companhia Velha) was created in 1756 in the same year as Port was demarcated. For what four purposes?
1) It was the only place Port for export could be purchased.
2) Was given the exclusive right to supply fortification spirit.
3) Could fix prices.
4) To lift the overall quality of Port following years of oversupply and poor quality.
What were two particular challenges faced in the 19th century?
1) Wars: Peninsular and Civil.
2) Mildew & phylloxera.
What was a consequence of the issues experienced by small growers in the 19th century?
They needed to sell their land to survive meaning many shippers took advantage of the low prices (consolidation).
What two trade bodies supervised Port production and producers from the 1930s until the IVDP was established?
1) Casa do Douro
2) Instituto do Vinho do Porto (IVP)
What is the fortification spirit known as?
Aguardente.
In what year did Port producers become able to source and buy their own aguardente?
1991.
What 1980s World Bank scheme benefitted the Port industry?
Low-interest loans to Douro growers who could plant or replant up to 10 ha of the prescribed varieties provided the land was classified A or B grade according to the Beneficio.
In what year was the Instituto dos Vinhos do Porto e do Douro (IVDP) established and why?
1) 2003.
2) To supervise both Port and Douro wine producers reflecting the growing importance of table wines.
Of the Douro’s 250,000 ha how many ha are registered for Port production?
32,000 ha.
What is the climate of DO Porto? 3 points.
1) Warm continental.
2) Summer temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
3) Freezing temperatures not uncommon in the winter.
What two climatic reasons contribute to DO Porto’s climate?
1) Distance from the Atlantic Ocean.
2) Shelter from the Serra do Marao, which protects from the Atlantic.
What are the three sub-regions of the Douro?
1) Baixo Corgo.
2) Cima Corgo.
3) Douro Superior.
What are the climatic conditions of Baixo Corgo?
Coolest and wettest with up to 900mm rainfall per annum due to its westerly location.
What styles of Port does fruit from Baixo Corgo typically produce?
Inexspensive Ruby and Tawny.
What are the climatic conditions of Cima Corgo?
Warmer and drier than Baixa (700mm rainfall per annum).
What styles of Port does fruit from Cima Corgo typically produce?
Age-indicated Tawny and Vintage Ports.
This is the best-suited area for premium production.
What are the climatic conditions of Douro Superior?
Hottest and driest (450mm rainfall per annum) as it’s the further inland with drought an issue.
What is a typical soil profile of the Douro (4)?
1) Stony.
2) Shallow.
3) Free-draining.
4) Poor in nutrients.
When is irrigation permitted?
In exceptional circumstances such as extreme hydric stress.
Why are the vines’ roots able to penetrate deep into the bedrock in search of water?
The schist in the area splits into vertical layers rather than the more typical horizontal.
What are the three types of vineyard layout in place in the Douro?
1) Socalcos.
2) Patamares.
3) Vinha ao Alto.
Describe the Socalcos vineyard layout (2).
1) Narrow terraces supported by walls of dry rock.
2) Typically unsuitable for mechanisation.
Why can Socalcos vineyards not be converted to Patamares or Vinho ao Alto layouts?
They are UNESCO protected.
What is the typical planting density of a Socalcos vineyard?
6,000 vines per ha.
How might labour be reduced when farming socalcos?
By lowering planting densities to allow for a small tractor to enter.
Why are small tractors able to run up and down the slopes of Patamares?
The terraces are supported by a steep earth ramp rather than a stone wall with tracks that run diagonally.
Why are planting densities lower (3-3,500 vines per ha) on Patamares compared with Socalcos?
The diagonal ramps for small tractors take up a lot of space.
What are two problems encountered by Patamares?
1) Erosion.
2) Growth of weeds on the ramps.
What is the advantage of the original large, wide Patamares?
They can support two rows of vines.
What is a disadvantage of the original large, wide Patamares when planted to two rows of vines?
The exterior row of vines gets more sun exposure, which can create uneven ripeness.
What is the disadvantage of the narrower Patamares?
They support only one row of vines.
How are vines on narrower Patamares planted and what two advantages does this lend?
They are tilted slightly towards the slope.
1) This improves water absorption and drainage and so reduces erosion.
2) Uneven ripeness is less of a problem as only one row is planted per terrace.
What is the vineyard layout of Vinha ao Alto?
Vines are planted in vertical rows up the slopes.
What are the two main advantages of Vinha ao Alto?
1) Least expensive to plant and maintain.
2) Allows high-density planting (~5,000 VPH).
What are the two main disadvantages of Vinha ao Alto?
1) Above 40 per cent incline mechanisation cannot be used.
2) Water run-off and erosion.
How are vines a) trained and b) trellised?
1) Cordon-trained and spur-pruned or head-trained and cane-pruned.
2) VSP to promote sun exposure and permit mechanisation.
What rootstocks are used and why?
1) 110Rand 1103P, which are hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri.
2) Due to their drought tolerance.
What is the maximum yield permitted?
55 hL/ha.
What summer vineyard management technique is common?
Summer pruning to ensure sun exposure especially for late-ripening varieties.
What are the three main viticultural hazards in the Douro?
1) Late spring frosts at high altitudes.
2) Wet weather in cooler years disrupts flowering and fruit set in early summer.
3) Downy mildew and botrytis especially in Baixo Corgo.
How are the most common viticultural hazards combatted?
1) Canopy management.
2) Fungicides.
Why might cover crops be grown on vinha ao alto slopes (3)?
1) To prevent erosion.
2) Improve soil structure and nutrition.
3) Reduce weeds.
What is the most common form of harvesting and why?
Hand-harvesting due to the steepness of the slopes.
Why are larger producers investing into machine-harvesting research?
Depopulation and an ageing population may mean labour resources are difficult to find in the future.
From earliest to latest, which order are the three sub-regions typically harvested in?
1) Douro Superior.
2) Cima Corgo.
3) Baixa Corgo.
How many grape varieties are permitted in Port production?
Over 100.
What are the main five prescribed varieties?
1) Touriga Franca.
2) Touriga Nacional.
3) Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo).
4) Tinta Barroca.
5) Tinta Cao.
What are the two other main red grapes planted in the Douro?
1) Tinta Amarela (Trincadeira).
2) Sousao.
What are the two main white grape varieties planted in the Douro?
1) Malvasia Fina (Boal).
2) Moscatel Galego Branco (Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains).
What are the main characteristics of Malvasia Fina?
Neutral wines with medium acidity, full body and slightly honeyed.
What is the Portuguese term for old vines?
Vinha velha.
Why are the vast majority of Port wines blends?
For consistency of style and to reduce vintage variation.
What is the most grown red wine grape for Port production?
Touriga Franca.
What are the four key characteristics of the Touriga Franca grape?
1) Late-ripening making it suitable for the warmest sites.
2) Tight bunches.
3) Thick skins.
4) Can be vigorous.
What does Touriga Franca contribute to a wine?
Colour, tannin, acidity, juicy red and black fruit.
What are the three key characteristics of the Tinta Roriz grape?
1) Early-ripening.
2) Can suffer from water stress.
3) High-yielding.
What does Tinta Roriz contribute to a wine?
Body and colour.
What are the three key characteristics of the Tinta Barroca grape?
1) Early-ripening.
2) Prone to heat damage and shrivelling.
3) High-yielding
What does Tinta Barroca contribute to a wine?
Earthier flavours.
What are the four key characteristics of the Touriga Nacional grape?
1) Mid-ripenng.
2) Thick-skinned.
3) Can suffer from excessive vigour.
4) Susceptible to coulure.
What does Tourica Nacional contribute to a wine (4)?
1) Deep colour.
2) High tannins.
3) Black fruit and floral aromas.
4) Long ageing potential.
What is Tinta Amarela also known as in other areas of Portugal?
Trincadeira.
What are the two key characteristics of the Tinta Amerela grape?
1) Prone to fungal diseases due to tight bunches.
2) Produces full-bodied wines with concentrated black fruit and spice notes.
What are the five key characteristics of the Tinta Cao grape?
1) Low-yielding.
2) Late-ripening.
3) Heat tolerant.
4) Produces concentrated wines with high acidity that can age.
5) Small, thick-skinned berries resistant to fungal disease.
What are the three key characteristics of the Sousao grape?
1) Thick-skinned.
2) Deep intensity of colour.
3) High acidity.
Which white variety is typically used for unaged styles?
Moscatel Galego Branco.
