Portugal

Question 1

What is Portugal flanked by?

Answer 1

• Atlantic Ocean to the west

- Spain to the east (and north –> Rain Baixas DO)

Question 2

what are the 3 specific climates of Portugal and where are they?

Answer 2

1. Martime = Northern Portugal including northern coastal area; humid, cooler than the other areas
2. Mediterranean = central + southern coastal areas
3. Continental = interior areas from north to south

Question 3

how many indigenous Portuguese cultivars are there?

Answer 3

> 200

Question 4

wines WITHOUT geographical indication are called this in Portugal:

Answer 4

vinho

Question 5

wines WITH geographical indication in Portugal have 2 classification levels:

Answer 5

1. IGP (Indicação Geográfica Protegida)

2. DOP (Denominação de Origen Protegida)

Question 6

what qualification must an IGP wine meet to use the IGP designation?

Answer 6

• 85% of the grapes must be from the indicated region
• several grapes allowed to be planted / used
• it’s a larger regional designation, so where the grapes can come from is a bigger area than that of DOP
• minimum abc for regional designations

Question 7

what qualifications must a DOP wine meet to use the DOP designation?

Answer 7

• style, yields, minimum abv, and ageing requirements are regulated per DOP
• DOP is the top quality designation in Portugal
• DOPs are smaller regions nested within IGPs

Question 8

what are the 5 dop regions in Portugal to known for this exam?

Answer 8

1. vinho verde DOP (north coast)
2. Douro DOP (North interior, next to Spain)
3. Dão DOP (north-central interior)
4. Bairrada DOP (central/ north-ish coast)
5. Alentejo DOP (south interior, next to Spain, HOT)

Question 9

what is the largest DOP in Portugal?

Answer 9

Vinho Verde DOP

Question 10

where is Vinho Verde DOP?

What are its borders?

Answer 10

• Northern Portugal
• Borders Atlantic coast
• Borders Spain’s Rías Baixas DO

Question 11

what does the name ‘Vinho Verde’ tell you about the wine that comes from this DOP?

Answer 11

translates to ‘green wine’ , indicating it youthfulness and when it should be drunk (young)

Question 12

what is the climate of Vinho Verde dop?

Answer 12

• maritieme

- cool, rainy, humid

Question 13

what are the white grapes grown in vinho verde dop?

Answer 13

• loureiro (highest plantings)
• trajadura
• alvarinho (aka albariño in Spain)

Question 14

what is the style of vinho verde dop?

Answer 14

• fresh
• lip-smacking acidity
• effervescent
• light bodies (usually low abv)

Question 15

how do vinho verdes get their effervescence?

Answer 15

most are force carbonated

Question 16

which DOP lies directly east of vinho verde dop?

Answer 16

Douro DOP

Question 17

what is the location of Douro DOP?

Answer 17

• northeast Portugal

- Along border of Spain

Question 18

what is the river that runs through Douro dop?

What river does it become in spain?

Answer 18

• Douro River

- Becomes the Duero River in Spain, which runs through Ribera del duero.

Question 19

the … wine region in Portugal was one of the first demarcated in the world.

Answer 19

Douro

Question 20

the Douro valley (not the Douro DOP) is best known for what style of wine?

Answer 20

fortified wines from the Porto DOP, aka port wines

Question 21

what are the 3 subregions of Douro DOP?

What are their climates like?

Answer 21

from west to east:

1. Baixo Corgo - somewhat influenced by Atlantic
2. Cima Corgo - drier, more continental climate
3. Douro Superior - hot and dry

Question 22

what is the landscape of Douro DOP like?

Answer 22

mountainous, isolated, lots of steep and terraced mountainsides

Question 23

what is the soil in Douro DOP’s top vineyards?

Answer 23

schist/ granite

Question 24

what is the Douro DOP’s top red grape?

Answer 24

touriga nacional

there are several other varieties, but this is Portugal’s most important and cherished red grape

Question 25

what does the word ‘Quinta’ translate to in English?

Answer 25

single vineyard

Question 26

what style of wine is the Douro DOP known for?

Answer 26

• full bodied, rich, intense, dry, concentrated red wines
• almost always blends of varying red grapes, including both indigenous and international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon