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WSET Level 3 > C31 - Portugal > Flashcards

C31 - Portugal Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the climate of Portugal

A

It has a range of different climatesMuch of the country has a maritime climateMany of the inland vineyards have a hot, dry and continental climate

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2
Q

How are high temperatures moderated in Portugal?

A

By the Atlantic| By altitude

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3
Q

Give a climatic reason for the diversity of wine styles found in Portugal

A

There are large differences in annual temperature

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4
Q

Where is Vinho Verde?

A

In the north-west of Portugal

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5
Q

What is the climate of Vinho Verde? Why?

A

Moderate maritime| Because of its nearness to the Atlantic

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6
Q

What is the most significant feature of the climate in Vinho Verde?

A

High annual rainfall

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7
Q

What are the main two risks of the high rainfall in Vinho Verde?

A

Excessive canopy growth| It encourages disease

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8
Q

How may the associated risks of high rainfall be managed in Vinho Verde?

A

With effective canopy management

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9
Q

How have vineyards changed in Vinho Verde?

A

They have moved away from Pergola trellising due to modernisation

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10
Q

What technique/method is now used in Vinho Verde? What for?

A

Spur-pruned VSPTo create airflow in the humid environmentTo improve the health and quality of the grapesTo allow for mechanisation

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11
Q

Describe classic Vinho Verde wines

A

Pale lemon colourHigh in acidityLow in alcohol (8% to 11.5% abv)Wines with low alcohol are usually off-dry

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12
Q

How may one identify a different style of Vinho Verde? What is different about the style?

A

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

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13
Q

What grapes are usually used to make the white wines of Vinho Verde?

A

Local varieties such as Loureiro and Arinto

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14
Q

What is notable about the style of white Vinho Verdes?

A

They traditionally have a slight sparkling sensation that enhances their freshness

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15
Q

What is Vinho Verde Alvarinho made from?

A

Alvarinho grapes (Albariño in Spain) grown in the small designated sub-region of Monção e Melgaço

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16
Q

Describe Vinho Verde Alvarinho in relation to white Vinho Verde

A

It has a slightly higher alcohol level and riper, more tropical aromas

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17
Q

What other styles of wine are made in Vinho Verde?

A

Red and rosé wines

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18
Q

Describe the red and rosé wines of Vinho Verde

A

Reds are deeply coloured and tannic| Rosés are fresh and fruity

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19
Q

What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?

A

The Douro

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20
Q

Where is the Douro?

A

80km east of Porto| From the Marão Mountains to the frontier with Spain

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21
Q

What dominates wine production in the Douro?

A

Port

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22
Q

Both Port and unfortified wines of the Douro, rely on the same…varieties:…

A 
FiveTouriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta Roriz (Tempranillo)Tinta BarrocaTinta Cão
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23
Q

What is considered the highest quality variety of Douro’s five varieties?

A

Touriga Nacional

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24
Q

Describe Touriga Nacional’s main winemaking characteristics

A

It’s low-yielding| Its wines have intense colour, flavours and high levels of tannin

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25
Q

Describe the red wines of Douro

A 
Deeply colouredFull-bodiedHigh levels of ripe tanninsRich black fruit flavoursBest examples often show subtle toasty aromas from maturation in new oak
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26
Q

Describe the white wines of Douro

A

Particularly when from high altitude, they can show fresh varietal fruit and medium to high acidity

27
Q

Where is Dão?

A

In a mountainous area 80km south of Douro

28
Q

Where in Dão are vines mostly planted?

A

On the gentler hills and slopes, between 200m and 400m asl

29
Q

Describe the climate in Dão

A

Cold, wet wintersWarm, dry summersSignificant diurnal temperature variation

30
Q

The climate of Portugal’s … region, provide excellent conditions for high-quality grapes

31
Q

Describe the typical red wines of Dão

A

Soft tanninsHigh acidityDelicate red fruit aromas

32
Q

Which grapes are relatively new to Dão? What prompted their introduction?

A 
Touriga NacionalTinta RorizJaen (Mencia in Spain)AlfrocheiroVineyard improvement schemes
33
Q

Describe wines made from Alfrocheiro

A

Deep in colour| Intense aromas of blackberry and strawberry

34
Q

From which variety are the best Dão whites made?

35
Q

What is the style range for Encruzado whites of Dão?

A

Light and fresh, to richer, barrel fermented versions

36
Q

Where is Bairrada?

A

In Portugal, between Dão and the Atlantic Ocean

37
Q

What is the climate of Bairrada?

A

Maritime with rainy winters and warm summers

38
Q

What is a viticultural problem in Bairrada?

A

Rainfall at harvest (especially for late-ripening varieties)

39
Q

What is the dominant black variety of Bairrada?

40
Q

Describe the key traits of Baga

A

Late-ripeningSmall, thick-skinned grapesDeeply coloured winesHigh tannin levelsIf underripe, high acidity and stringent tanninsLater picking gives wines that are softer and display rich black-fruit aromas

41
Q

How is a softer style of Baga wines achieved?

A

Gentler crushing and maceration techniques, as well as blending with other black varieties

42
Q

Which other black varieties are important in Bairrada?

A 
Touriga NacionalAlfrocheiroCabernet SauvignonMerlotSyrah
43
Q

What are the whites of Bairrada made from?

A

Predominantly indigenous varieties like Bical and Maria Gomes

44
Q

Where in Portugal is Alentejo?

A

Spread over eight sub-regions in the south-east of Portugal

45
Q

What is the climate of Alentejo like?

A

It has a warm growing seasonSmall differences among the sub-regionsCooler and wetter in the northHotter and drier in the south

46
Q

Describe the difference of wine styles based on in area in Alentejo

A

More elegant wines in the north| Richer wines in the south

47
Q

List grapes used in the typical Alentejo blend

A

Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet

48
Q

What are typical traits of Trincadeira?

A

Drought tolerantSpicy red berry flavoursHigh levels of tannin

49
Q

Describe Alicante Bouschet

A

A Portuguese grape variety high in colour and tannins

50
Q

The use of which grapes has been increasing in the last few years in Alentejo?

A

Touriga Nacional and Syrah

51
Q

Describe the profile of Alentejo blends

A

Deep in colourFull bodyHigh, yet soft tanninsExpressive, ripe fruit flavours

52
Q

Describe the ‘other’ wine style of Alentejo and what it’s made from

A

Fruity and floral white wines with medium to high levels of acidityMade from Arinto, Antão Vaz and Roupeiro

53
Q

Describe the role of oak in Alentejo

A

Some whites are fermented or aged in oak to provide extra depth and complexity

54
Q

What is the largest Vinho Regional region in terms of production?

A

Vinho Regional Alentejano

55
Q

Where is Vinho Regional Alentejano?

A

Based around Alentejo DOC, but covers a far more extensive area

56
Q

What are winemaking regulations like for the Vinho Regional wines?

A

Much more liberal| Wider range of grape varieties can be used, particularly international varieties

57
Q

List other important Vinho Regional areas, other than Vinho Regional Alentejano and where they are

A

Lisboa (stretching north from Lisbon)Peninsula de Setúbal (directly to the south)Tejo (north-east of Lisbon)

58
Q

What’s the Portuguese for PDO?

A

Denominação Geográfica Protegida (DOP)

59
Q

Other than DOP, which other Portuguese term can be used for PDO?

A

Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC)

60
Q

What is the Portuguese PGI?

A

Indicação Geográfica Protegida (IGP)

61
Q

What is the other term used for IGP?

A

Vinho Regional

62
Q

What does it mean when ‘Vinho’ is written on a Portuguese wine?

A

This is a table wine without geographical indication

63
Q

What has been a successful example of a ‘Vinho’ wine in Portugal?

A

Simple, fruity, off-dry rosé wines

WSET Level 3 (46 decks)

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