C31 - Portugal Flashcards
Describe the climate of Portugal
It has a range of different climates
Much of the country has a maritime climate
Many of the inland vineyards have a hot, dry and continental climate
How are high temperatures moderated in Portugal?
By the Atlantic
By altitude
Give a climatic reason for the diversity of wine styles found in Portugal
There are large differences in annual temperature
Where is Vinho Verde?
In the north-west of Portugal
What is the climate of Vinho Verde? Why?
Moderate maritime
Because of its nearness to the Atlantic
What is the most significant feature of the climate in Vinho Verde?
High annual rainfall
What are the main two risks of the high rainfall in Vinho Verde?
Excessive canopy growth
It encourages disease
How may the associated risks of high rainfall be managed in Vinho Verde?
With effective canopy management
How have vineyards changed in Vinho Verde?
They have moved away from Pergola trellising due to modernisation
What technique/method is now used in Vinho Verde? What for?
Spur-pruned VSP
To create airflow in the humid environment
To improve the health and quality of the grapes
To allow for mechanisation
Describe classic Vinho Verde wines
Pale lemon colour
High in acidity
Low in alcohol (8% to 11.5% abv)
Wines with low alcohol are usually off-dry
How may one identify a different style of Vinho Verde? What is different about the style?
If a grape-variety, sub-region or an authorised quality labelling term is mentioned on the label, the wine can have up to 14% alcohol
What grapes are usually used to make the white wines of Vinho Verde?
Local varieties such as Loureiro and Arinto
What is notable about the style of white Vinho Verdes?
They traditionally have a slight sparkling sensation that enhances their freshness
What is Vinho Verde Alvarinho made from?
Alvarinho grapes (Albariño in Spain) grown in the small designated sub-region of Monção e Melgaço
Describe Vinho Verde Alvarinho in relation to white Vinho Verde
It has a slightly higher alcohol level and riper, more tropical aromas
What other styles of wine are made in Vinho Verde?
Red and rosé wines
Describe the red and rosé wines of Vinho Verde
Reds are deeply coloured and tannic
Rosés are fresh and fruity
What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?
The Douro
Where is the Douro?
80km east of Porto
From the Marão Mountains to the frontier with Spain
What dominates wine production in the Douro?
Port
Both Port and unfortified wines of the Douro, rely on the same…varieties:…
Five Touriga Nacional Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) Tinta Barroca Tinta Cão
What is considered the highest quality variety of Douro’s five varieties?
Touriga Nacional
Describe Touriga Nacional’s main winemaking characteristics
It’s low-yielding
Its wines have intense colour, flavours and high levels of tannin
Describe the red wines of Douro
Deeply coloured Full-bodied High levels of ripe tannins Rich black fruit flavours Best examples often show subtle toasty aromas from maturation in new oak