Northern Portugal - Vinho Verde

Answer 1

Extreme north-west of Portugal, between Porto and the Spanish border (river Minho)

• Mostly sandy granite soils.
• Maritime climate with warm summers. High rainfall from 1,200mm (coast) to 2,000mm (inland).

Question 2

1. Alv
2. Lour
3. Trajadura

Answer 2

Whites

1. Alvarinho
2. • Thick-skinned grapes that can resist damp climates
3. • Wines in relatively high alcohol (12-13%abv), hi acidity and intense flavours of green apple
4. • Limited to the north of the region (Moncao). Used for best wines, often single quintas
5. Loureiro/a
6. • ‘Laurel scented’ aromatic white grape; higher yielding vs. Alvarinho
7. • Often blended with Trajadura. Important in the south of Vinho verde area
8. Trajadura
9. • Adds citrus character if picked sufficiently early. Also grown in Galicia

Others: Avesso, Pederna

Answer 3

Reds & Rosés

1. Azal
2. Vinhao
3. Espadeiro

Answer 4

59,000ha

Vines trained in high pergolas (cruzeta) to avoid grey rot. Recent plantings wire trained or double cordon.

90% of farmers also grow vines

Winemaking Styles

Vinho verde refers to youth of the wine. Can be red, white or rosé.

1. Traditionally, MLF to give the wine a prickle of CO2 and reduce acidity. Now CO2 injected.
2. Export wines are partially fermented to keep some residual sugar i.e. sweetness.
3. Whites usually made more & more with Loureiro and Trajadura. Light bodied wines, bone dry w hi acidity, low alcohol, slightly fizzy and Riesling-like aromas
4. Reds still around 50% of production but hasn’t succeeded on the export market. In decline.

Answer 5

800,000hl/yr of DOP wine in Minho

Key producers:

• *o_Quinta da Aveleda_ -13m btls/yr**
• Largest Vinho Verde producer owned & run by the Guedes family (Mateus). Casal Garcia
• *o_Provam, Cabo-Barbeita_**
• Association of quality winemakers founded in 92; only bought-in grapes