Port Flashcards
How are ports made?
by adding grape spirit to a fermenting juice to create an alcoholic sweet wine.
how long has Port been being made in Douro?
since the 18th century
What are the twin coastal cities that the activities of the Port industry are divided between?
Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia - which lie on opposite sides of the mouth of the river Douro
The two regions in Douro are divided into how many sub regions? name them
three: Baixo Corgo; Cima Corgo; Douro Superior
What kind of wines does Baixo Corgo produce?
the lightest wines in Douro
What is Cima Corgo known for in Douro?
greatest number of top vineyards are found
Describe Douro Superior
although it is sparsely planted it is renowned as a source of top quality wine.
What is the climate in Douro>
generally speaking the vineyard area is warm continental as a result of being shielded from the cooling rain bearing Atlantic winds by the Serra do Marao. however not uniform
what is the climate in Baixo Corgo?
coolest and wettest of the sub regions of Duoro.
what happens to climate as you move east in Douro sub regions>
further east you go the hotter and drier it becomes.
What type of climate affects vineyards in the spring in Douro?
spring frosts and heavy downpours can disrupt flowering as well as harvest occasionally
What is summer like in Douro?
daytime temperatures can be very high and rainfall throughout the growing season is low.
How is viticulture possible in Douro
due to schist bedrock which fractures vertically allowing vine roots to access deep water reserves that are built up by the winter rains.
Where are the vineyards in Baixo and Cima Corgo built?
very tall and steep slopes that rise up from the banks of the Douro and its tributaries.
What are Socalcos?
narrow terraces which are supported by stone walls. this is what was traditionally used
what are Patamares
new style of terrace to allow for some mechanization. they are built without retaining walls and each terrace is wide enough to allow tractor access.
what are Vinha ao-alto
unterraced system where the angle of the slope is low. vines are planted up and down the slope and accessed by roads cutting across the slope from where machinery is operated by winches
Why is there clear temperature differences between the top and bottom of the slopes in Douro?
due to change in altitude
Why are some sites used that have a more northerly aspect in Douro?
because they face away from the full force of the sun
what are challenges around socalos?
each terrace can only support a few rows and no mechanization is possible. walls are also expensive to maintain.
what are both Vinha ao-alto and patamare systems prone to?
erosion especially Vinha ao-alto which is not viable on the steepest slopes.
what are the vast majority of red ports?
complex blends of many different varietals which in Douro tend to be thick skinned, high in tannin, with black fruit, and floral aromas.
what are the 5 varietals in Douro that are preferred for premium port?
Touriga Franca, Tina Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinto Cao.
When is port fermentation stopped?
by fortification once the alcohol reaches 5-9% abv in order to produce a sweet wine.