History, Geography, and Wine Law Flashcards
When did Portugal expel the Moors and become independent?
1250
Over 200yrs before Spain
What treaty established a strong trade relationship between Portugal and England in the 14th century?
The Treaty of Windsor in 1386
When did the Portuguese discover the Madeira archipelago?
1419
What grew on the Island of Madeira before the Portuguese arrived?
Trees! They set fire to all of them and legend reports that the fire burned for 7yrs
When were the English introduced to Port? Where?
What was its original nickname in England?
1678 in Lamego, a mountain town in the Douro
Nicknamed blackstrap in England
What was the Companhia Geral dos Vinhos do Alto Douro established in response to?
What did it do?
Fraudulent practices in the production of Port wine due to an increased demand from England
It installed regulatory measures and established boundaries and practices for the Douro appellation. It authorized each individual farmers production allotment relative to the vineyards grade
Who manages the Douro appellation today?
The IVDP - Douro Port Wine Institute (run by the government)
What were Madeira wines matured on the Island called, what were the ones matured at sea called?
Vinhos Canteiro
Vinhos ao Roda
What events led to the devastation of the Portuguese wine industry in the 19th and early 20th century?
1807 - the French and Spanish invaded Portugal
After Napoleons defeat trade routes reopened with France and Spain and Portuguese wine steadily lost market share
1850s downy and powdery mildew
1861-65 the America Civil War portended a significant decline in Madeira imports
1867 Phylloxera
What does garrafeira indicate on a bottle of Portuguese wine?
It translates to “private wine cellar” and indicates a minimum period of aging prior to release
Tinto: min 30m w/ 12m in bottle
Branco and Rosado: min 12m w/ 6 in bottle
Who pioneered the term garrafeira for Port? What does it indicate?
Niepoort
In cask for min 4yrs and max 8yrs
An additional 15yrs in bottle
(A min of 19yrs total aging)
What does Reserva indicate on a bottle of Portuguese wine?
An alcohol content of 0.5% higher then the legal minimum
Stricter requirements in individual DOPs may supersede this requirement
For traditional method sparking wine Reserva indicates a min 12m in the lees prior to disgorgement
What does Colheita Seleccionada indicate on a bottle of Portuguese wine?
A min 1% higher alcohol content than that established by the regional appellation
What are the primary red grapes of Portugal?
Castelão (also known as Periquita from the JM da Fonseca bottling)
Touriga Nacional
Jaen (Mencía)
Aragonez (Tinta Roriz / Tempranillo. Has the highest acerage under vine)
What are the primary white grapes of Portugal?
Fernão Pires (Maria Gomes. The most planted white casta)
Encruzado
Arinto
Alvarinho (Albariño)
Sercial (Esgana Cão)
