3.1: Port - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing Flashcards
Where is the Douro region located?
north east of Portugal
How big is the Douro region? How much is planted vineyards? How much is registered for DO Porto?
- total area covers 250,000 ha,
- 43,500 ha are planted
- 32,000 ha register for DO Porto (the production of Port wines)
What is the climate?
- warm continental climate
- temperatures easily reaching 40°C in the summer
- freezing temperatures not unusual in the winter
What is the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra do Marão?
- distance from the Atlantic Ocean
- shelter from the Serra do Marão to the west of the region
- vineyard area is much warmer and drier than the cities of Porto and Vila Nova di Gaia on the coast (70km from the western end of the vineyard area)
Where is the vineyard area located?
follows the path of the River Douro
What are the 3 sub-regions?
- Baixo Corgo
- Cima Corgo
- Douro Superior
What is the most westerly of the regions?
Baixo Corgo
What is the coolest and wettest of the regions? Why? How much rainfall?
- Baixo Corgo
- 900mm rainfall per annum
- nearest the cold Atlantic coast
For what types of Ports does Baixo Corgo grow? Why?
- many of the inexpensive Ruby and Tawny Port
- cooler climate
What is the climate of Cima Corgo? How much rainfall per year?
- warmer and drier
- 700mm rainfall per annum
For what types of Ports does Cima Corgo grow? Why?
- Age-Indicated Tawny Port and Vintage Ports
Which region is furthest from the coast? What is the climate? How much rainfall per year? What is a frequent issue?
- Douro Superior
- hottest and driest sub region
- 450mm rainfall per annum
- drought is a frequent issue
How is the Douro Superior planted?
- still relatively sparsely planted, plantings are increasing
- contains some flatter land
- allows mechanisation
What provides a range of microclimates?
the winding River Douro and its tributaries
Why can there be differences in average temperature and sunlight exposure even within a single vineyard?
vineyard sites vary widely in altitude and aspect
Describe the soils? What is the impact on vigour?
- stony, shallow soils
- free-draining
- poor in nutrients
- limits vigour
What is the underlying bedrock composed of? Describe the soil.
- schist
- a type of rock that crumbles into layers relatively easily
What does the schist mean for the vines ability to take root?
- ancient tectonic movements caused schist to split into vertical layers (rather than the more typical horizontal)
- therefore vine roots are able to penetrate deep into the bedrock to find water
Is irrigation permitted?
- only permitted in exceptional circumstances
- for example, periods of drought under which the vine could be in extreme hydric stress
Why is the schist so important to this region?
- what little natural water there is, is the main source of water for the vine
- schist allows the viability of grape growing in this region
- the boundary of the demarcated Port region mostly follows the outline of the schist
- very difficult for vines to survive if planted above the impenetrable granite bedrock that is common in the wider area
What is the typical topography of the region?
steep slopes of the Douro Valley (many with gradients over 30%) mean that viable vineyard layouts are limited
What are the 3 types of vineyard layouts?
- Socalcos
- Patamares
- Vinha ao Alto
What is the traditional method of vineyard layout?
Socalcos
Describe the Socalcos layout.
narrow terraces, supported by walls of dry rock
What planting densities does the Socalcos layout allow for?
6,000 vines per hectare
Is the Socalcos layout suitable for mechanisation?
typically not suitable
Why is the Socalcos layout typically not considered when planting a new vineyard?
- not suitable for mechanisation
- labour required to maintain walls
Why can’t the current Socalcos be converted to another layout?
protected by UNESCO
What can be done in the Socalcos layout to allow for some degree of mechanisation?
vines on the socalcos can be planted at lower densities to allow for a small tractor to enter the terraces to reduce so much need for labour
Describe the Patamares layout.
terraces supported by a steep earth ramp, rather than a stone wall
Is the Patamares layout suitable for mechanisation?
- yes
- small tractors run up and down slopes by the use of tracks that run diagonally up the slope
What are the pros of Patamares compared to Socalcos? Cons?
- Pros: cheaper to implement and maintain
- Cons: erosion and the growth of weeds on the ramps can be problematic
What planting densities does the Patamares layout allow for? Why?
- relatively low, around 3,000 to 3,500 vines per hectare
- ramps take up a lot of space
What are the 2 kinds of Patamares?
- Large, wide patamares that support two rows of vines on each terrace
- Narrow patamares that only support one row of vines