31 - Portugal Flashcards
- climate of Portugal
- influences
- despite the fact that it is only a small country, Portugal has a range of different climates
- the singel most important influence is that of the Atlantic Ocean
–> much of the country has a maritime climate - in many of the inland vy the climate is hot, dry & continental
- in some regions altitude can help to mitigate the very high temperatures
- the large difference in annual average temperature partly account for the diversity of wine styles found in Portugal
5 main DOC & the largest Vinho Regional in Portugal
- Vinho Verde
- Douro
- Dão
- Bairrada
- Alentejo
- Vinho Regional Alentejano
Portuguese wine laws
- name of PDO, PGI, without
PDO
- Denominacão de Origem Protegida (DOP)
- Denominacão de Origem Controlada (DOC) –> traditional term
PGI
- Indicacão Geográfica Protegida (IGP)
- Vinho Regional (VR) –> traditional term
without GI
- Vinho
where is Vinho Verde?
- in the north-west of Portugal
climate of Vinho Verde
- Moderate Maritime climate
- most significant feature of the climate of Vinho Verde
- hazards
- how to avoid
- high annual rainfall
- excessive canopy growth & disease
- careful canopy management
canopy management in Vinho Verde
(trad., mod., how & why)
- traditional: pergola trellising
modernisation of the vy:
- spur-pruned VSP
- to create airflow in the humid environment
- to improve the health & quality of the grapes & to allow for mechanisation
char. of classic white Vinho Verde
- pale lemon coloured
- high in acidity
- low in alcohol (8-11,5%)
- the wines with lower alcohol are usually off-dry in style
- traditionally, these wines hav a slight sparkling sensation that enhances their freshness
Vinho Verde
If …, … or …, is mentioned on the label the wine can have up to 14% abv
- a grape variety
- a sub-region
- an authorised quality labelling term
white wines of Portugal are made from
local grape varieties such as
- Loureiro
- Arinto
Or
- Alvarinho
- Vinho Verde Alvarinho is made from …
- grown in …
- alcohol
- aromas
- entirely from Alvarinho grapes
- the small designated sub-region of Moncão e Melgaco
- slightly higher alcohol (11,5-14%)
- riper, more tropical aromas
colour of grapes in Vinho Verde
white & black varieties
colour of wine in Vinho Verde
white, red & rosé
short char. of red & rose in Vinho Verde
- Red: deeply coloured & tannic
- Rosé: fresh & fruity
Where is Douro
- 80 km east of Porto
- stretches from the Marão Mountains to the frontier with Spain
wine production in Douro is dominated by
Port
5 principal grape varieties in Douro
- Touriga Nacional
- Touriga Franca
- Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo)
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Cão
the most well known grape & considered the highest-quality variety in Douro
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional
- low yields
- intense colour & flavours
- high levels of tannin
red wines of the Douro tend to be
- deeply coloured
- full-bodied
- high level of ripe tannins
- rich black fruit flavours
- best: often display subtle toasty aromas from maturation in new oak
white wines of Douro
- fresh varietal fruit
- medium to high acidity
where is Dão?
- in a mountainous area 80 km south of the Douro region
- the vines in Dão are …
- vy lies …
- planted on the gentler hills & slopes
- between 200-400m
climate of Dão (winters, summers)
- cold, wet winters
- warm, dry summers
- significant temperature variation between day & night
the red wines from Dão
- often display delicate red fruit aromas
- soft tannins
- high acidity
vy improvement schemes in Dão have seen new plantings of high-quality varieties including …, …, … & …
- Touriga Nacional
- Tinta Roriz
- Jaen (Mencia in Spain)
- Alfrocheiro
Alfrocheiro in Dão
- deep in colour
- intense aromas of blackberry & strawberry
- best: range in style from light & fresh to richer, barrel-fermented versions
where is Bairrada?
- between Dão & the Atlantic Ocean
- climate in Bairrada
- summers & winters
- hazards
- maritime climate
- rainy winters & warm summers
- rain around harvest time can sometimes be a problem for late ripening varieties
dominant black variety in Bairrada
Baga
Baga in Bairrada
(grape, wine, prod.met.)
- late ripening
- small, thick-skinned berries
- deep in colour
- high tannin levels
underripe:
- high acidity
- astringent tannins
later picking
- softer
- rich, black fruit flavours
give softer wines:
- gentler crushing & maceration techniques
- blending with other black varieties
grape varieties in Bairrada (8)
dominant:
- Baga
other important Portuguese grapes
- Touriga Nacional
- Alfrocheiro
international varieties:
- CS
- Merlot
- Syrah
white:
- Bical
- Maria Gomes
number of sub-regions in Alentejo
8
where is Alentejo
- in the south east of Portugal
climate in Alentejo
- warm growing season
- small climatic differences among the sub-regions
- cooler, wetter north
- hotter, drier centre & south
what allows Alentejo to make a range of different styles?
- small climatic differences among the 8 sub-regions
- cooler, wetter north –> more elegang wines
- hotter, drier centre & south –> richer examples
Grapes in Alentejo (5+3)
The typical red blend is made with
- typical red blend is made with Aragonês (Tempranillo) & Trincadeira
- Alicante Bouschet also used in blends
- the use of Touriga Nacional & Syrah has been increasing in the last few years
- white: Arinto, Antão Vaz & Roupeiro
another name for Aragonês
Tempranillo
Trincadeira
- drought-tolerant
- spicy red berry flavours
- high levels of tannin
Alicante Bouschet
colour & tannins
- high in colour & tannins
red wine in Alentejo are typically
- deep in colour
- high yet soft tannins
- full body
- expressive ripe fruit flavours
white wine in Alentejo
- grapes: Arinto, Antão Vaz & Roupeiro
- fruity & floral white wines
- medium to high acidity
- some are fermented or aged in oak to provide extra depth & complexity
the largest Vinho Regional region in terms of production
Vinho Regional Alentejano
where is Alentejano
- based around Alentejo DOC but covers a far more extensive area
- south east of Portugal
Vinho Regional Alentejano
- based around Alentejo DOC but covers a far more extensive area
- winemaking regulations are more liberal for the Vinho Regional wines
- a wider range of grape varieties can be used, particularly international varieties
Vinho Regional in Portugal (4)
- Alentejano
- Lisboa
- Peninsula de Setubal
- Tejo
where is VR Lisboa?
- stretching north from Lisbon
where is VR Peninsula de Setubal
directly to the south of Lisbon
where is VR Tejo
north-east of Lisbon
