PORT Flashcards
What is the definition of Port
Port is a sweet fortified wine from the Duoro region of Portugal.
What are the three regions of Port production?
- Baixo Corgo, the coolest and the wettest w 900mm rainfall per year, being nearest the Atlantic - cooler climate and fruit used in inexpensive Ruby and Tawnys.
- Cima Corgo - warmer and drier 700mm rainfall, most of the well known producers have vineyards in this region which are used to produce age indicated Tawnys and VP
- Douro Superior - furthest from the coast - the hottest and driest region 450mm rainfall, drought is a frequent occurrence, relatively sparsely planted, but has some flat areas that have allowed mechanisation.
What is the predominant Soil type in Porto?
Stony, shallow soils that are free draining and poor in nutrients - limiting vigour. Underlying bedrock is schist which crumbles into layers relatively easily. Due to tectonic movement the schist in the area splits into vertical layers (rather than the typical horizontal) and therefore vine roots can penetrate deep into the bedrock to find water.
What are the key red grape varieties used in Port production?
Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz Tinta Barocca Touriga Nacional Tinta Amarela Tinta Cao Sousao
What are the key white grape varieties used in Port production?
Malvasia Fina
Moscatel Galego Branca
What is Touriga Franca?
late ripening suitable for the warmest sites (low alt and south facing) tight bunches of thick skinned grapes - resistant to fungal diseases. It can be vigorous and this needs to be managed, usually by summer pruning. Provides colour, tannin and acidity as well as juicy red and black fruit flavours and floral aromas to a blend. Popular with Port producers and is by far the most widely grown variety.
What is Tinta Roriz?
Tempranillo in Spain and Aragonez elsewhere in Portugal. Early ripening, best grown in relatively cool sites and can suffer from water stress, lends body and deep colour to the blend - can be high yielding but needs management or wines can lack concentration
What is Tinta Barocca?
Early ripening variety, best planted in cooler sites (high alt or north facing slope generally in the Baixo Corgo or the Cimao Corgo) as it is prone to heat damage or grape shrivel, not as floral as some other grape varieties, and flavours tend to be more earthy, if not planted in the coolest sites it can lack acidity and colour tends to fade more quickly - high yielding.
What is Touriga Nacional?
Mid-ripening variety with thick skinned grapes producing wines with deep colour and intensity and high levels of tannins, it retains acidity well and displays concentrated flavours of black fruit and floral aromas. Long ageing potential - often a component of premium, long matured wines. Can suffer from excessive vigour managed through summer pruning and is susceptible to coulure
What is Tinta Amarela?
Trincadeira in other parts of Portugal. Prone to fungal disease due to its tight bunches of grapes, full bodied wines with concentrated black fruits and spicy notes - approachable in youth but are also capable of ageing.
What is Tinta Cao?
Low yielding variety that produces small thick skinned grapes that are resistant to fungal disease, late ripening and very tolerant of heat. Produces concentrated wine with high acidity and the capacity to age well.
What is Sousao?
thick skinned variety becoming increasingly popular for its deep intensity of colour and ability to retain high levels of acidity.
Name the three types of vineyard layout used in Porto?
Socalcos
Patamares
Vinha ao Alto
What is a Socalcos?
Socalcos, traditional method, narrow terraces that are supported by dry walls of dry rock - planting densities at around 6000 vines per hectare. Layout means that these vineyards or not suitable for mechanisation and labour required to maintain walls mean these are not usually considered when planting new vineyards. Socalcos are protected by UNESCO and cannot be converted to other styles of vineyards.
What is Patamares?
Patamares, terraces supported by a steep earth ramp - small tractors are able to work in these. Cheaper and easier to maintain than Socalcos - erosion and growth of weeds on the ramps are a problem. Planting densities are around 3000 to 3500 vines per ha as the ramps take up a lot of space. Large Patamares support two rows of vines on each terrace - the original form, created when bulldozers were large and bulky. Small patamares only support one row of vines, more modern version using laser technology to create the best water retention and drainage and only one row of vines per terrace.
