GENERAL

Question 1

What are the three climate zones in Portugal?

Answer 1

Northern coast: moderate temps/abundant rain/high humidity
Southern coast: Mediterranean
Inland/Eastern valleys: Continental

Question 2

What are the leading red varieties in Portugal?

Answer 2

Touriga Nacional: capable of producing complex wines Touriga Franca: typically used in blends,
Tinta Roriz: aka Aragonêz aka Tempranillo, this variety has red fruit, olive, and herbal characteristics

Question 3

What other name does the Castelao grape go by and where is it most commonly found?

Answer 3

Periquita, most common n the South of Portugal

Question 4

Which indigenous red grape is known for its strong tannins and plum/tobacco notes?

Answer 4

Baga

Question 5

Which hard-to-grow red grape has high acidity, notes of blackberry/herbs/pepper and thrives in hot, dry areas?

Answer 5

Trincadeira

Question 6

How much of Portuguese wine production is white?

Answer 6

Less than 1/3

Question 7

What are the leading white grape varieties and where are they predominant?

Answer 7

Loureiro and Alvarinho are commonly found in the North (Galicia) and the islands; Portugal’s most-planted white grape variety is Fernão Pires, (aka Maria Gomes), found mainly in the south (Palmela, Tejo, and Setúbal) and on the central coast (Bairrada).

Question 8

What are the primary grape varieties in Madeira?

Answer 8

Sercial, Verdelho, Boal (or Bual) and Malvasia (aka Malmsey)

Question 9

What are the 3 levels of wine according to Portugese law and how much of total production does each account for?

Answer 9

Vinho (1/4)
Vinho Regional (1/4)
Denominação de origem controlada (DOC) (1/2)

Question 10

How many VRs and DOCs in Portugal?

Answer 10

14 and 31, respectively

Question 11

What is Portugal’s most-planted white variety and where is it commonly found?

Answer 11

Fernão Pires, also called Maria Gomes. It is found mainly in the south (Palmela, Tejo, and Setúbal)