L3 - Portugal - Chap 31 Flashcards
Describe the climate of Portugal
Portugal has a range of climates
Atlantic Ocean is the most important influence
Much of the country has a maritime climate, but inland the climate can be hot, dry, and continental
diversity of climates account for diversity of wines
What are the 5 main DOCs of Portugal?
-Vinho Verde
-Douro
-Dao
-Bairrada
-Alentejo
What is the climate and geography of Vinho Verde?
How are vines grown and pruned?
What are the characteristics of the wine?
Vinho Verde is in the northwest of Portugal, near the Atlantic Ocean meaning it has a moderate maritime climate. High precipitation
Previously vines were grown on pergolas, but without vigorous canopy management they become overgrown due to the high precipitation.
Now spur-pruned VSP is used to create airflow in the humid environment - now used to improve the health and quality of hte grapes and allow for mechanization
Classic vinho verde:
-Pale lemon in color
-high acidity
-low alcohol (8-11.5% abv)
-lower alcohol wines are more off-dry style
-wines with either a varietal on the label, sub-region, or authorized quality labeling term can have up to 14% alc
-typically a little sparkle
-Typically Loureiro and Arinto varietals
-can be made alvarinho (albarino) grapes (slightly higher alc 11-14% & riper, tropical fruit)
What is the climate and geography of Douro?
What is the most important varietal
What are the characteristics of the wine?
Located 80 miles east of Porto and stretches to Marao mountains
Both unfortified and Port wines are made here relying on the following varietals:
-Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tina Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cao)
Touriga Nacional is most important, highest quality varietal and most well known.
-low yields of grapes, intense colors, flavors & high levels of tannins
Red wines tend to be deep colored, full-bodied, high level of ripe tannins, rich black fruit flavors. Some display subtle toasty aromas from new oak.
White wines -esp from high altitude show fresh varietal fruit, medium to high acidity
What is the climate and geography of Dao?
What is the most important varietal
What are the characteristics of the wine?
What are typical varietals?
-Dao is mountainous area 80 KM south of Douro
-Vines planted on gentler hills and slopes
-Most vineyards lie between 400 and 500 meters above sea level
-Cold, wet, winters and warm, dry, summers combined wiht significant temperature differences between day adn night provide excellent conditions for high quality grapes
-Red wines from Dao display delicate red fruit aromas, soft tannins and high acidity
Red Varietals:
–Touriga Nacional
–Tinta Roriz
–Jaen
–Alfrocheiro (makes deep color, intense aromas of blackberry/strawberry)
White varietals: encruzado -from light and fresh to richer barrel-fermented versions
What is the climate and geography of Barraida?
What is the most important varietal
What are the characteristics of the wine?
What are typical varietals?
Bairrada lies between Dao and the Atlantic Ocean
-has a maritime climate (rainy winters and warm summers)
-rain around harvest can be a problem for late ripening varieties
Baga is the dominant black variety
-Late ripening variety with
-Small, thick-skinned berries
-deep color
-high tannins
(underripe has high acid and astringent tannins)
-Later picking gives wines that are softer and display rich, black fruit flavors
-gentle crushing techniques/maceration also give softer wines
White wines –predominantly Bical and Maria Gomes varietals
What is the climate and geography of Alentejo?
What is the most important varietal
What are the characteristics of the wine?
What are typical varietals?
– Spread over eight sub regions in south east of Portugal
-warm growing season, but small climatic differences among the sub-regions allow a range of different styles to be produced
-those in cooler, wetter north -more elegant
-those is hotter, drier center, south- provide richer examples
Varietals red blend:
-Aragones (another name for tempranillo)
-Trincadeira (drought tolerant grape with spicy red berry flavors, medium tannins)
-Alicante Bouschet (high in color and tannins)
Generally wines deep in color, high in tannins (yet soft), fully body, expressive ripe fruit flavors
white wines (arinto, antao vaz, roupeiro make fruity, floral white wines with medium to high levels of acidity) some fermented in oak to add complexity
What is Vinho regional?
-The largest Vinho regional in terms of production is Vinho Regional Lisboa
Vinho Regional Alentejano -produces significant volumes of wine
Winemaking regions more liberal here
