Dao Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the location and size of the Dao
A
- South of Vinho Verde and the Duoro
- Inland from Bairrada
- 13,500 ha undervine
2
Q
Describe the climate & influences of the Dao
A
- Surrounded by mountains, protected from Maritime weather and arid inland influence.
- Mediterranean climate; warm dry summers, mild winters
- High rainfall; 1100-1600mm, mainly falling in autumn and winter
- Between 200-900m abs; mostly 400-500.
- Hail in summer a threat
- Spring frosts for flatter, low lying vineyards
- Markets vintage variation
3
Q
Describe the soils of the Dao
A
- Weathered granite, sandy, loamy texture
- Low in organic matter,
- free draining, causing water stress during ripening
4
Q
Describe the viticulture of the Dao
A
- Gentle slopes
- Traditionally bush vines
- Modern plantings are double or singly guyot, replacement cane pruned or cordon trained with VSP trellising.
5
Q
What is the wine production of the Dao
A
- 80% red
- 240,000 hL in 2021, 161,000 hL in 2020
6
Q
What are the grape varieties in the Dao
A
- Jaen (Mencia)
- Touriga Nacional
- Tinta Roriz (Aragonez / Tempranillo)
- Alfrocheiro
- Encruzado
7
Q
Describe the red wines of the Dao
A
- Used to be astringent and lackiung in fruit from long macerations in old oak
- Modern wines have less maceration and aged in oak
- New oak now typical, but now producers are reducing their amount.
- Range from good to outstanding
- Mid-priced to premium, some super premium examples
8
Q
Describe Jaen from the Dao
A
- Black Grape
- Moderate acid
- Raspberry & Blackberry flavours
- Occasionally carbonically macerated
9
Q
Decribe Touriga Nacional from the Dao
A
- Deep colour
- High acid
- High tannin
- Black fruit, floral & herbal
10
Q
Describe Tinta Roriz from the Dao
A
- Ripens earlier than Touriga Nacional
- Deep colour
- Medium - medium plus tannin
- Full bodied
11
Q
Describe Alfrocheiro from the Dao
A
- medium tannin
- Medium body
- Strawberry & blackberry flavours
- Usually made for earlier consumption
12
Q
Describe Encruzado from the Dao
A
- Key white for high quality wines
- Medium - medium plus acid
- Can be full bodied
- Lemon, peach, floral
- Either fermented in neutral vessels or fermented and matured in Oak, sometimes with lees work
- Oak-fermented examples can age
- Good - very good, some outstanding
- Mid-premium priced
13
Q
What are other white grapes in the Dao
A
- Bical
- Malvasia Fina (Boal in Madeira)
- Fernao Pires
14
Q
What is the grower/producer make up of the Dao
A
- 30,000 grape growers; 90% with less than 0.5ha undervine
- Sogrape largest producer in the country led higher quality wines
- Many smaller, quality focussed producers now
15
Q
What is the export of wines from the Dao
A
- 15-20% exported
- Canada, USA and Brazil Principal markets
