Portugal Flashcards
Carnation Revolution & Return to Democracy
mid 1970’s
Joined EU 1986
Production and trade restrictions lifted
low interest loans
2011-2014 Bailout
by EU and IMF
austerity programme
export markets important
Climate
Atlantic
Mountain ranged in teh inland northerly regions (continental)
Soils
Schist/granite in mountains
Clay/Limestone in Coastal
Alluvial soils
Sandy soils
Vineyard Management
Reduction of 85k ha over last 30 years in high yield areas
Alentejo - high investment
VSP trellised, cordon or replacement came
Some old bush vines in Douro, Alentego
Irrigation only when quality is in jeopardy, must notify IVDP
Grape Varieties
Tinta Roriz Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional Fernao Pires Castelao Trincadeira Baga Loureiro Arinto Syrah Roupeiro Alicante Bouschet
Traditional Winemaking
3000-6000L Portuguese oak and Brazilian wood toneis
High tannin from stems
Fermenting and foot treading in lagares
GI systems
DOC/DOP
VR
Vinho
DOC/DOP
31 in Portugal with regulations, must all be tested and approved
Denominacao de Origem Controlada
Denominacao de Origem Protegida
VR
Vinho Regional, PGI wines
14 VRs, less stringent requirements
International varieties usually allowed
Vinho
Wines not of PDO or PGI status
Wine Business
6.4 mhL
small holdings, large brands like Mateus source from growers
74 cooperatives
Small volume winemakers who own no vineyards –> trend
Exports
12th largest wine producing country, 9th largest exporter
Growth in volume & value over 2 decades
France, Angola, Germany, UK by volume
France, USA, UK, Brazil by value
Wines of Portugal
founded in 2010
Domestic sales
increased over last few years from rise in incomes and tourism
Vinho Verde DOC
Northwest corner
Atlantic to west, River Minho on border with Spain, mountains of Peneda-Geres to the east, River Douro to south
9 sub regions, 16,000ha
Vinho Verde DOC Climate and Soils
Moderate Maritime from Atlantic and network of river valleys
continental inland
1500mm annually
high vintage variation, affects yields
Granitic bedrock with shallow topsoil of decomposed granite with good drainage
Low fertility soils
Vinho Verde DOC Vineyard Management
Fungal disease
Traditionally vines trained up trees for airflow
VSP, single or double Guyot (replacement cane)
Lyre system
trained high for airflow
Summer pruning
Vinho Verde DOC Grape Varieties
2019: 81% white 14% red 5% rose
Loureiro Alvarinho Pederna Avesso Trajadura VInhao
Loureiro
Vinho Verde, most widely grown
mostly coastal
mid-ripening
medium (+) acidity
citrus, pear, floral, herbal
Alvarinho
Vinho Verde, 2nd most widely grown
Albarino
Citrus, peach, tropical
Medium (+) body, medium (+) to high acidity
Pederna
Vinho Verde, 3rd most planted
Arinto
Mid ripening
neutral, with citrus and apple
high acidity
Avessa
Vinho Verde
Late ripening, can sometimes not ripen fully
Inland (Baiao)
lower acidity, full bodied, citrus and stone fruit
Trajadura
Vinho Verde
Low acidity
apple and peach
usually blended
Vinhao
Vinho Verde
Sousao/Souson
black grape, deeply coloured with cherry fruit and high acidity
Vinho Verde winemaking, high volume and inexpensive
protective and cool ferment in stainless steel with some carbon dioxide added at bottling for spritz
Low alcohol, medium (+) to high acidity, apple, citrus, peach
Vinho Verde winemaking, premium
single varietal and single sub region
Ambient yeasts, old oak, lees
minimum 9% abv
Single varietal Alvarinho from Moncao e Melgaco
Single varietal Alvarinho from Moncao e Melgaco must have lower maximum yields and min 11.5%
Vinho Verde Wine Business
17250 grape growers cultivating 1588ha
very fragmented
400 bottle their own wines
35% exported
Germany, USA, Brazil, France
Douro Climate
Warm Continental, depending on site
Baixo Corgo: cooler and more maritime - 900mm
Cima Corgo: warmer and drier - 700mm
Douro Superior: hot and arid - 450mm
Douro Soils
Schist with shallow topsoil of decomposed schist
Low in organic matter, stony texture, well draining
stores water through vertical layers in schist bedrock
Can irrigate if they notify IVDP
Douro Vineyard Management
Terraces
See Port chapter - finish flashcard later
Douro Black Grape Varieties
Touriga Nacional Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz Tinta Barroca Tinta Cao
Touriga Franca
Retains acidity
Ripe but not jammy black fruits
Medium body, alcohol, red and black fruit with floral
Touriga Nacional
Retains acidity
Ripe but not jammy black fruits
High level of colour and tannin
Black fruits with violet, rose, orange blossom