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WSET ® Level 3 Wine > Portugal > Flashcards

Portugal Flashcards

Learn the geography, grape varieties, climate, soil, wine styles, and producers of Portugal.

1
Q

Describe the climate of Portugal.

A

The majority of Portugal is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, so much of the country has a Maritime climate.

  • Going inland, the climate becomes drier and hotter (more continental) which can be mitigated by elevation.
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2
Q

What are the classification levels of Portuguese wine?

A

In ascending order:

PGI level

IGP (Indicação Geográfica Protegida), aka Vinho Regional

PDO level

DOP and DOC are both used in Portugal (Denominação de Origem Protegida and Denominação de Origem Controlada)

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3
Q

In Portugal, table wines without geographical indication are labeled as _______.

A

Vinho

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4
Q

Name the 5 most important DOCs/DOPs of Portugal.

A
  • Vinho Verde
  • Douro
  • Dão
  • Bairrada
  • Alentejo
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5
Q

Where is Vinho Verde located?

A

Vinho Verde is in the very northwestern corner of Portugal, on the south side of the Minho River across from Galicia.

The Altantic Ocean is on Vinho Verde’s western border.

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6
Q

What is the climate of Vinho Verde?

A

Vinho Verde’s climate is moderate Maritime due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

The region receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the year.

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7
Q

Due to the high amount of rainfall in Vinho Verde, what threats do the vines face?

A

Fungal diseases can be rampant if the vines’ canopies are not managed correctly.

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8
Q

What is the classic vineyard trellising system used in Vinho Verde?

Or, what trellising system is Vinho Verde moving away from?

A

The pergola system

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9
Q

In recent years Vinho Verde has started to move into which other trellising system?

A

Spur-pruned VSP system - this allows for increased air circulation and tractors/mechanization.

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10
Q

What are the local white grape varieties of Vinho Verde?

A
  • Arinto
  • Loureiro
  • Alvarinho
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11
Q

What is the classic style of wine of Vinho Verde?

A

Low alcohol, crisp, citrusy white wines – sometimes with a kiss of residual sugar to make them just off-dry – and almost always with a slight prickle which gives them a snappy, thirst-quenching quality.

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12
Q

Vinho Verde Alvarinho is made exclusively from this white grape variety.

A

Alvarinho

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13
Q

What is the most important subregion of Vinho Verde DOC for the production of quality Alvarinho?

What is different about the Alvarinhos here vs. the rest of Vinho Verde?

A

Monção e Melgaço

Alvarinhos from Monção e Melgaço express riper, more tropical fruits, fuller body, and higher alcohol (11.5 - 14%) compared to the everyday, light-bodied whites of Vinho Verde.

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14
Q

What is the typical abv range of Vinho Verde?

A

8% - 11.5%

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15
Q

If a wine label reads Vinho Verde Alvarinho, what % must be Alvarinho?

A

100%

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16
Q

What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?

A

Douro

17
Q

What is the mountain range on the western side of the Douro Valley?

A

Marão Mountains

18
Q

Where is Douro DOC located?

A

The Douro DOC is located approximately 80 km upriver (east) from the city of Porto.

The Douro DOC abuts the border with Spain.

19
Q

What style of wine is the Douro Valley most famous for?

A

The production of Port wines.

Related Port questions can be found in the Port deck.

20
Q

What are the differences between Douro DOC and Porto DOC?

A

Both are produced within the delimitation of the Douro Valley, however:

  • Douro is the appellation for dry table wines
  • Porto is the appellation for sweet fortified wines
21
Q

Name the 5 leading red grape varieties used for both unfortified and fortified wines in the Douro.

A
  1. Touriga Nacional
  2. Touriga Franca
  3. Tinta Barroca
  4. Tinta Cão
  5. Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo)
22
Q

Which grape variety is considered the highest quality for red wine production in the Douro?

A

Touriga Nacional

23
Q

What are the different names of Tempranillo used in Portugal?

A

Tinta Roriz in Douro

Aragonês in Alentejo

24
Q

Besides the production of Port and dry red table wine, what other styles of wine are made in Douro DOC?

A

Still, dry, white wines and some sparkling wine (the latter not as common).

More than 40 white grape varieties are permitted to be grown in Douro.

25
Q

What is the elevation range in the Dão?

A

400m to 500m in elevation.

26
Q

Which white grape variety is used for high-quality wines in the Dão?

A

Encruzado

27
Q

Name the most important red varieties in the Dão.

A
  • Touriga Nacional
  • Jaen
  • Tinta Roriz
  • Alfrocheiro (deeply colored)
28
Q

What is the Spanish name of Jaen?

A

Mencía

29
Q

Where is the Bairrada Region located within Portugal?

What is its climate?

A

Bairrada is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Dão.

It has a Maritime climate.

30
Q

What are the main grape varieties of the Bairrada region?

A
  • Baga for red wines
  • Bical and Maria Gomes for white wines
31
Q

Which international red varieties are allowed in Bairrada?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are allowed to be grown in Bairrada.

They are usually blended with Baga.

32
Q

What is the largest wine region in Portugal by size?

A

Alentejano

see map in textbook p.140 – note how Alentejo DOP is located within the larger Alentejano PGI.

33
Q

The largest Vinho Regional region in Portugal in terms of production is _________.

A

Vinho Regional Lisboa

34
Q

Name three other important Vinho Regional areas in Portugal.

A
  1. Vinho Regional Lisboa
  2. Vinho Regional Peninsula de Setúbal
  3. Vinho Regional Tejo
35
Q

What white grape varieties are used in Alentejo?

A
  • Arinto
  • Antão Vaz
  • Roupeiro
36
Q

What red grape varieties are used in Alentejo?

A
  • Aragonês
  • Alicante Bouschet
  • Trincadeira
37
Q

Alentejo DOP spans a large area, and the wines vary in style from the north to the south.

  1. In the ________, the wines are more elegant thanks to cooler temps and more rainfall.
  2. In the ________, the wines are rich and more concentrated due to a hotter, drier climate.
A
  1. North - more elegant
  2. South - richer
38
Q

Besides vine production, what other crop is Alentejo known for?

A

Cork trees, whose scientific name is Quercus suber.

Alentejo is the biggest region of natural cork production in the world.

WSET ® Level 3 Wine (40 decks)

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