Northern Portugal - Dao

Answer 1

1940s: monopole given by Salazar to 10 cooperatives had adverse effect and drove quality down.
• Since 1980s: entry in the EU -> end of monopoles; investment from large producers e.g. Sogrape

Topography/Soils
• Area situated 80kms inland, south of Douro; 200-400m high plateau sheltered by mountains on all sides

• Well-drained sandy soils on top of granite rock.

Climate

• Temperate climate Long warm dry summers Hi rainfall mostly in winter.

Question 2

1. Jaen
   
   1. Ripens early, D colour w/low ac
   2. Usually blended w/TN or Al
2. T Nactional
   
   1. believed origin Dao
   2. Vig Vine, prone to poor fruit set = small quantities of v small berries
   3. D Colour, hi T, conc wines
   4. Mainly in Douro + Dao

Answer 2

Reds (80% of production)

1. Jaen
2. • Ripens early in Dao to produce deep coloured reds with low acidity
3. • Usually blended w Touriga Nacional or Alfrocheiro.
4. Touriga Nacional
5. • Believed to originate from Dao
6. • Vigorous vine prone to poor fruit set that produces small quantities of very small berries
7. • Deep coloured, hi tannins, concentrated wines
8. • Mainly grown in Douro & Dao
9. Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo)
10. • Black grape w thick skin that ripens early (temprano: ‘early’)
11. • Thrives in chalky soils & moderate climates for better acidity & elegance
12. • Little resistance to pest and diseases
13. • Wines are med->full bodied, low to med+ acidity, w med tannins and flavours of strawberry, cherry, raspberry & plum. Oak and ageing add flavours of herbs, mushrooms, leather & tobacco

Others: Alfrocheiro preto

Answer 3

Encruzado

1. Low yields produces fragrant full bodied nutty whites
2. Best in Dao
3. Can be close to a white Burgundy when aged in barrique
4. All too often blended with poorer quality Malvasia Finca & Bical

Others: Bical

Answer 4

20,000ha - DOC since 1990

Winemaking/Styles

In theory, Touriga Nacional min 20% of any red blend but much lower in practice.
• Red Dao tends to be firm, tannic (sometimes astringent if prolonged maceration with stalks)

Investment in new French and Portuguese oak by new quality oriented producers.
• Whites traditionally oxidised and full bodied; modern wines fresher, fruitier and more fragrant.

• 0.3m hl/yr with most under DOC• Key producers:

• *oDao Sul** – several million bottles/yr
• Owns 1,000ha and continues to expand with a wide range of wines from supermarket wines to top quality wines. Also operates in Estremadura, Douro, Bairrada and Alentejo.
• *oQuinta das Carvalhais**
• Started by Sogrape in the 90s; mass market Grao Vasco brand to high quality Duque de Viseu.