Port General Knowledge Flashcards
What is Port?
A sweet fortified wine from Douro, Portugal
What are the historical origins of Port production?
England increased trade with Portugal following trade wars between England and France in the 17th Century. Brandy was added to powerful still wines to ensure they arrived in England intact. British merchants later discovered the sweet fortified wines consumed locally tasted better.
British exporters set up “lodges” in Vila Nove de Gaia for wine storage and maturation before shipping. They charged a commission and eventually took control of production.
What occurred in 1703 that facilitated the introduction of Port to the English market?
The Methuen Treaty, which guaranteed that Portuguese wines entered England at lower rates of duty than wines from other countries.
What was the effect of Port popularity in England during the mid-18th century?
Poor quality wines in the Port style were produced in bulk, flooding the market and leading to lower prices. In 1756, Portugal officially demarcated the Port production area and established production regulations.
Who was responsible for the original demarcation of the Port area of production? What else did they do for Port?
The Marquès de Pombal, prime minister of Portugal. He also created the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (Real Companhia Velha).
Whaat was the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro responsible for?
Also known as Real Companhia Velha, it set prices for Port and was the only organization through which he fortifying spirit for Port could be purchased.
Was the 19th century productive or destructive to Port?
Mostly destructive. The Peninsular Wars and Portuguese Civil War strained the region. Mildew and Phylloxera destroyed vines. Growers were forced to sell their vineyards to shippers, who became the dominant players in the region.
When was the Instituto do Vinho do Porto created? What is its purpose?
1933
To oversee and administer the Port wine region
When was the Casa do Douro created? What was its purpose?
1932
It was a secondary authority to supervise growers in the Port denomination and it controlled the purchase of aguardiente
What is the Beneficio?
A vineyard rating system that indicates grape quality. Its range is A-I
True or False
The market for fortifying spirit in Port production is open.
True. Though it was controlled by the Casa do Douro and then the IVP (Instituto do Vinho do Porto), Portugal’s entry into the EU in 1986 made aguardente access an open market
What is aguardente?
The spirit used to fortify Port
What happened to the Casa do Douro between 1990 and 2003?
It purchased a 40% stake in Royal Oporto, a major shipper at the time, with the intent of allowing growers to trade their own products. The venture failed, leading to the creation of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Porto e do Douro (IVDP)
How was viticulture in Porto bolstered in the early 1980s?
The World Bank Scheme invested money to growers who planted or replanted up to 10 hectares of five approved grape varieties on Beneficio graded A or B land.
A 2,500 ha filed research program was also started by several major shippers and a local university to determine best practices on patamares
What are patamares?
Terraced vineyard plots that are wider than those traditionally used.
