31 - Portugal Flashcards
What is the climate of Portugal?
Portugal has a range of different climates. The Atlantic ocean is the single most important influence and much of the country has a maritime climate.
In many inland vineyards the climate is hot, dry and continental but temperatures can be moderated by altitude where available.
Why can the wines of Portugal be difficult to understand
Many of the same indigenous grape varieties can have different names in different regions.
What is a point of difference about Portuguese wines from other countries?
It has a wealth of indigenous grape varieties.
What are the 5 main DOC’s of Portugal?
Vinho Verde Duoro Dao Bairrada Alentejo
Where is Vinho Verde and what is its climate?
The NW of Portugal. South of the river River Minho.
It’s nearness to the Atlantic means it has a moderate maritime climate.
What is the significant climatic feature of Vinho Verde and what is of particular concern to viticulturalists as a result?
The high annual rainfall.
Canopy management is vital, as high rainfall can lead to excessive canopy growth and encourage disease.
What was the traditional trellising method in Vinho Verde called?
Pergola
Why is Pergola trellising being replaced in Vinho Verde and what is it being replaced by?
The vineyards are being modernised.
Spur pruned VSP to allow better aeration and facilitate mechanisation.
What is the character of a classic white Vinho Verde wine?
Pale lemon
High Acid
Low Alcohol 8.5-11% (usually off-dry in style)
What abv can be expected in a Vinho Verde wine that mentions a grape variety, sub-region or authorised quality labelling term on the label?
Up to 14%
What grapes are used for Vinho Verde?
Local grapes such as
Loureiro
Arinto
What are the reds and roses of Vinho Verde like?
Reds: Deeply coloured and tannic.
Rose: Fresh and Fruity
What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?
Duoro
Where is Duoro?
80km east of Porto and stretching from the Marao Mountains to the Spanish border.
What wine styles are made in Duoro?
It’s dominated by port but unfortified wines have always been made.
What 5 principal varieties are relied upon for Port and still reds in Duoro?
Touriga Nacional Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) Tinto Barroca Tinto Cao
What is the highest quality and most well known grape in Duoro?
Touriga Nacional
Describe the structure of Touriga Nacional?
Low yields
Intense Colour and Flavour
High Tannin
Describe the red wines of Duoro?
Tend to be: Deeply coloured Full Bodied High levels of ripe tannin Rich black fruit flavours Best have subtle toasty aromas from oak maturation.
Describe the whites of Duoro
Fresh varietal fruit and M-H acidity.
Particularly those from higher altitude vineyards.
Where is Dao located?
In the mountainous area 80km south of Duoro
Where are the vines planted in Dao?
On the gentler hills and slopes between 200-400m above sea level.
What climatic characteristics of the vineyards in Dao make it great for high-quality grape production?
Cold wet winters, with warm dry summers and a significant diurnal range.
Describe the reds of Dao
Often display delicate red fruit aromas, soft tannins, and high acidity.
Describe the whites of Dao.
Best made from Encruzada varietal.
Range in style from light and fresh to richer, barrel fermented versions.
What new plantings have been made by vineyard modernisation schemes in Dao, Portugal?
Touriga Nacional
Tinto Roriz
Jaen (mencia in Spain)
Alfrocheiro
What kind of wine does Alfrocheiro make?
Deeply coloured, intense aromas of blackberry and strawberry.
Where is Bairrada located?
Between Dao and the Atlantic Ocean
What is the climate of Bairrada
Maritime climate with rainy winters and warm summers.
What climatic hazard exists in Bairrada?
Rain around harvest time can be a problem for late ripening varieties.
What is the dominant black variety in Bairrada?
Describe it in the vineyard and its structural character as a wine.
Baga
Late ripening, small, thick skinned berries.
Deeply coloured, high tannin.
If underripe, will have H-acidity and astringent tannins, but later picking makes wines that are softer with rich black fruit flavour.
Gentler crushing and maceration as well as blending have given softer wines.
What varieties besides baga are important in Bairrada
Touriga Nacional
Alfrocheiro
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
What grape varieties are white wines predominantly made from in Bairrada?
Bical
Maria Gomes
Where is Alentejo and how is comprised?
Alentejo is located in the South East of Portugal and spread over 8 sub-regions.
How do wines of the various sub-regions of Alentejo vary?
Northern area is wetter and cooler and produces wines that are more elegant.
Warmer, drier southern and central sub-regions provide richer examples.
What grapes are in a typical red blend from Alentejo
Aragones (Tempranillo)
Trincadeira
What are the characteristics of Trincadeira
Drought resistance, with spicy red berry flavours and H-tannin.
What 3rd grape is often used in Alentejo red blends?
Alicante Bouschet
High in colour and tannin.
What grapes are used for white wines in Alentejo.
Describe them.
Arinto, Antao Vaz and Roupeiro
M-H acid, some fermented/aged in oak for depth and complexity.
What is the largest Vinho Regional in terms of production in Portugal?
Vinho Regional Alentejano
Name 3 other important regions for Vinho Regional production in Portugal.
Lisboa (North of Lisbon)
Peninsula de Setubal (directly south of Lisbon)
Tejo (NE of Lisbon)
What is the PDO of Portugal?
DOP: Denominacao de Origem Protegida
What is the traditional term for PDO in Portugal?
DOC: Blah Controlada
What is the PGI of Portugal and what more traditional term is seen on labels?
IGP: Indicacao Geografica Protegida
Vinho Regional
How are table wines without GI’s labelled in Portugal?
Vinho
What style of wine has Portugal had particular success with, which falls into the Vinho category.
Simple, fruity, off-dry rose
