Port Grapes and Growing Environment Flashcards
What is the name of the region in which Port is made?
The Douro
How large is the Douro? How much of it is planted to grapevines? How much of it is registered DO Porto?
250,000 ha total
43,500 ha under vine
32,000 ha registered DO Porto
What is the climate in the Douro? What are the typical high and low temperatures annually?
A warm continental climate with summer temperatures reaching 40⁰C and winter temperatures in the freezing range.
It is also dry.
What makes the Douro wine region drier and hotter than the nearby towns of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia?
Farther distance from the Atlantic
The Serra do Marão mountain to the west, blocking cooling influences
Where are Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in relation to the Douro?
70km to the west
Is the Douro divided into sub regions?
Yes, the Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior
Does the vineyard area in Douro follow any geographical features or is it relatively freely planted?
The region itself follows the path Douro river and vineyards are planted in its vicinity and along its estuaries
How does temperature and rainfall compare among the sub regions of the Douro?
Baixo Corgo, the most westerly, is coolest and wettest (900mm rainfall per year)
Cima Corgo is warmer and drier than Baixo Corgo (700mm rainfall per year)
Douro Superior, the most easterly, is the warmest and driest (450mm rainfall per year)
Which of the Douro’s three sub regions is the least planted? Why?
Douro Superior due to the increased drought risk due to low rainfall. The flatter land, however, has recently seen increased plantings to allow for mechanization.
True or False
The climate in each of the Douro sub regions is largely uniform and climactic assumptions can be made about vineyards based on their sub region
False. The winding Douro and its myriad tributaries form a vast number of microclimates that affect viticultural quality. Temperature and average sunlight may differ in a single vineyard.
What type of soils are prevalent in the Douro?
Shallow stony soils with a schist bedrock
What is unique about the bedrock in the Douro? How does this affect vine growth?
The bedrock layers are positioned vertically due to ancient tectonic movements. This allows vines to dig their roots through the layers into subterranean water sources.
How is the Douro demarcated in relation to schist soils? Why?
The boundary of the denomination almost exclusively follows the borders of the schist deposit in the area. Vines are able to reach through the schist to the water table, but unable to do so through the granite bedrock in neighboring areas.
Is irrigation permitted in the Douro?
No, unless there are extreme circumstances requiring it, such as hydric stress on the vines.
What are the three vineyard layouts in place in the Douro?
Socalcos
Patamares
Vinha ao Alto
What is the traditional vineyard layout of the Douro?
Socalcos
What are Socalcos?
A narrow, terraced vineyard supported by walls of dry rock traditionally used in the Douro. They permit planting densities up to 6,000 vines per hectare.
Are Socalcos suitable for vineyard mechanization?
Not generally, but the terrace can be planted at lower densities to permit tractors to enter
True or False
Socalcos can not be converted to other vineyard layouts
True. They are a UNESCO protected feature of the Douro
What are Patamares?
A terraced vineyard in the Douro that is supported by a steep earth ramp instead of a stone wall.
Are Patamares suitable for vineyard mechanization?
Yes, by means of a ramp that runs diagonally up the slope
True or False
Patamares are cheaper to implement and maintain than Socalcos
True, though erosion and weed growth on the ramps can be problematic
What is the typical planting density in Patamares vineyards? Why?
3,000-3,500 vines/ha
The ramps used for mechanization take up a lot of space
Is there more than one kind of Patamares?
Yes. Large, wide Patamares were designed for older, bulkier mechanized tools and permits two rows of vines to be planted
Modern, narrow Patamares only support one row of vines and are carved by modern bulldozers using laser precise technology.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two styles of Patamares used in the Douro?
The older, wider Patamares are able to plant two vines but there is uneven ripening as the sunward row receives more sunlight.
Newer Patamares are tilted slightly toward the slope, which improves water retention and reduces erosion. The single row ensures the crop will fully ripen but reduces yields.
What is Vinha ao Alto?
A vineyard method used in the Douro where vines are planted in vertical rows up the side of a hill
What are the advantages and disadvantages to using Vinha ao Alto?
It is inexpensive to plant and maintain, and it allows for planting at 5,000 vines/ha.
Water run-off and erosion can be a problem and mechanization cannot be used in this configuration if the incline is at 40% or greater.
Which vineyard configuration is most likely to be used in the Douro if the incline of a hill is 40% or greater? Why?
Patamares, to permit for mechanization
What vine training is used in the Douro?
Cordon trained, spur pruned
Head trained, cane pruned
VSP trellising
What is the intention of the vine training methods used in the Douro?
To ensure even sun exposure and accessibility to mechanization where possible
What is the goal of summer pruning in the Douro?
To ensure sun exposure for grape ripening
Which rootstocks are widely used in the Douro? Why?
110R and 1103P, both of which are V. rupestris and V. berlandieri hybrids.
They are tolerant of drought
What is the primary concern when planting new vineyard in the Douro?
Maximizing vineyard area, specifically the vine density, vineyard layout, and planting material (varietal, rootstock, etc.)
True or False
Varieties are interplanted in single vineyards in the Douro
True, often to maximize the vineyard area and ensure the grapes ripen
What is the maximum permitted yield in the Douro? What yields are typical?
The maximum is 55hl/ha, though 30hl/ha is more likely due to dry conditions and vineyard hazards
What viticultural hazards must growers in the Douro contend with?
Late spring frost
Cool, wet weather from the Atlantic in the western part of the region during the early summer, disrupting fruit set
Downy mildew and botrytis can be issues in the Baixo Corgo due to the wetter conditions there
How are downy mildew and botryis prevented in the Baixo Corgo?
Through canopy management techniques
Are fertilizers and herbicides permitted in the Douro?
Yes. The soil lacks nutrition and weeds can grow on the Patamares, competing with the vines for vital water resources
Small mowers may also be used to address weeds
What vineyard management technique is used in Vinha ao Alto vineyards of the Douro to reduce erosion and weed presence? What other advantages does it have?
Cover crops
They also add soil nutrition and improve soil structure
Is sustainable or organic viticulture practiced widely in the Douro?
Farmers are using these techniques wherever possible and it is gaining in practice
Is harvest carried out by hand or by machine in the Douro?
By hand, though an aging workforce and regional depopulation is presenting the risk of being unable to carry out manual harvesting.
Symignton Family Estates is developing a mechanized harvester that can operate on the terraced vineyards
In which sub regions of the Douro does harvest tend to begin and end?
It usually begins in the Douro Superior and end in Baixo Corgo
How long does harvest in the Douro take? Why?
Typically several weeks due to the various microclimates of the Douro, the different varieties grown there, and the use of relatively slow hand harvesting
How many varieties are permitted in the production of Port?
Over 100
Which five varieties have been the focus of replanting efforts and clonal research in the Douro since the 1980s?
Touriga Franca
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Barroca
Touriga Nacional
Tinto Cão
True or False
Many of the vineyards in the Douro are planted with a field blend
True, as that has been the traditional way of planting and many small vineyard owners continue to do so
Are Port producers looking beyond the five prescribed varieties to other grapes? Why not why not?
They are, specifically for color and acidity, with a focus on indigenous varieties and their future potential in the face of climate change
Describe the viticultural characteristics of Touriga Franca.
Late Ripening
Tight bunches of thick skinned grapes
Vigorous
Where is Touriga Franca typically planted in the Douro? Why?
On south facing slopes at lower altitudes. It is late ripening and able to withstand the sunlight and heat associated with those conditions.
Is Touriga Franca susceptible to disease? If so, which ones?
It is particularly resistant to disease due to its thick skins
Is Touriga Franca a vigorous varietal?
Yes. It is typically managed through summer pruning
What does Touriga Franca contribute to Port?
Color
Tannins
Acidity
Juicy red and black fruit with floral aromas
Is Tinta Roriz early, mid, or late ripening?
Early ripening
What are synonyms of Tinta Roriz? Where are they used?
Tempranillo (Spain)
Aragonez (elsewhere in Portugal)
Where is Tinta Roriz best suited for planting in the Douro? Why?
In cooler sites because it is susceptible to water stress
Is Tinta Roriz low yielding or high yielding?
High yielding, requiring pruning to ensure aromatic concentration
What does Tinta Roriz offer to Port wines?
Body
Deep color
Is Tinta Barroca an early, mid, or late ripening varietal?
Early
Where is Tinta Barroca best suited for planting in the Douro? Why?
In the coolest sites, generally in high altitude or north-facing slopes of Baixo Corgo and Cima Corgo.
It is an early ripening varietal that is susceptible to grape shriveling and heat damage. Acidity and color also fade more quickly
What does Tinta Barroca offer to Port wines?
Earthy aromas. It lacks the floral character of other Port varieties
Is tinta Barroca low yielding or high yielding?
High yielding
Describe the viticultural characteristics of Touriga Nacional.
Mid ripening
Thick skinned
Vigorous
Susceptible to coulure
What does Touriga Nacional offer to Port wines?
Acidity
Deep color
High tannins
Concentrated black fruit and floral aromas
Is Touriga Nacional often used in low-end, mid-range, or premium Port? Why?
The long aging potential and concentrated flavors make it best suited for premium wines
Is Touriga Nacional a vigorous varietal?
Yes, and it needs to be managed through summer pruning
What is a synonym for Tinta Amarela? Where is it used?
Trincadeira (throughout Portugal)
Is Tinta Amarela susceptible to disease? Why or why not?
Yes, due to its tight berry clusters. It is particularly susceptible to fungal disease.
What does Tinta Amarela offer to Port wines?
Full body
Concentrated black fruit and spicy notes
Approachability in youth and aging potential
Is Tinta Cão low yielding or high yielding?
Low yielding
Is Tinta Cão low yielding or high yielding?
Low yielding
Is Tinta Cão susceptible to fungal disease? Why or why not?
No. It has thick skins
Is Tinta Cão early, mid, or late ripening?
Late ripening
Is Tinta Cão resistant to heat?
Yes
What does Tinta Cão offer to Port wines?
Concentrated aromas
High acidity
Ageability
What does Sousão offer to Port wines?
Deep color intensity
High acid
What is the most planted black varietal in DO Porto? Why?
Touriga Franca due to its aromatic and structural complexity, ability to grow in hot conditions, and resistance to disease
Is Sousão becoming less or more popular in the Douro?
More popular due to its deep color and ability to retain acidity
What are the key white grapes in Port production? What are their synonyms?
Malvasia Fina (Boal in Madeira)
Moscatel Galego Branco (Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains)
What types of Port are produced with Malvasia Fina?
Fairly neutral white Port with medium acidity, full body, and a slightly honeyed character
What types of Port are produced with Moscatel Galego Branco?
Unaged styles of white Port with an aromatic quality
Why are the vast majority of Port wines made as a blend?
To minimize the impact of vintage variation and use the best characteristics of each varietal
Why are the vast majority of Port wines made as a blend?
To minimize the impact of vintage variation and use the best characteristics of each varietal
Are old vines used in contemporary Port production?
Yes. Their grapes are generally an important part of premium Port and some producers make Port exclusively from vinha velha
What is a field blend? How is it relevant to Port production?
A mix of grape varieties coplanted in the same vineyard. They are picked at the same time and made into wine together. They offer different character to wines made from varieties that reach full ripeness in distinct vineyards.
