Portugal Flashcards
What influence does the Atlantic ocean have?
cool and rainy weather, particularly to the north west
What climate do the more Northerly inland areas have and why?
a continental climate with a warm and drier growing season due to protection of mountains from atlantic ocean
What is the topography in the south?
Rolling hills and plains
What type of soils are found in mountainous regions?
Schist or granite
What type of soils are found further south to the coast? (name 2 types)
- clay soils with high limestone content
-sandy soils
Name 4 regions where schist or granite can be found
Vinho Verde
Douro
Dao
hilly outcrops Alentejo
What type of soils can be found near riverbanks (e.g. Tejo)
Fertile alluvial soils
Which weather hazards is problematic in Portugal? In which regions?
Drought in warmer inland regions such as: Douro,Dao and Alentejo
What kind of extreme weather hazards have happened?
- (hail) storms in Douro
- Wildfires in 2017 in Dao
What are hazards in coastal regions and why?
wet weather, can lead to poor fruit set and later in the season for fungal disease pressure
What type of training system can be found in the Douro? In what types of vineyards are they planted?
Old bush vines, varietally mixed vineyards, = ‘field blends’
In what scenario is irrigation used?
Where lack of water can jeopardise quality, cannot be used for boosting yields
Does Portugal have a high or low amount of organic certified vineyards?
Low, around 2700 ha by 500 growers.
In which regions is it not allowed to use international grape varieties?
Douro, Dao, Vinho Verde
If oak is used, which type of oak?
French oak, sometimes American
Where did de-stemming equipment lead to?
Better tannin management
Fermenting/ageing in what type of vessel has gain its popularity?
in clay vessels, even fermenting wines on skins in clay vessels has its own DOC ‘vinho de talha’ in Alentejo
Is skin contact for white wines practiced? If yes, where
Yes, for premium whites for texture and intensity
How many DOCs does Portugal have?
31
are VR wines from less quality or better? What do they permit
less quality, term voor PGI wines, 14 in total
- permit international varieties (char&cs) and a wider selection of grape varieties
What are the wines labelled as that do not have a PDO or PGI status?
‘vinho’
What is the area of vines planted?
190.000 ha, with a reduction of 85.000 ha over the last 30 years
For how many % does grape growing represent the total national agricultural output?
35% which is the highest of the world
How many hectolitres of unfortified wine does Portugal produce on a yearly basis?
5.5 mhl
What type of traders were dominating the market before the Carnation Revolution?
Co-operatives, over 100 in 1950s&1960s because of preferential rights. Were badly equipped, led to bulk wine
What is the biggest wine company in Portugal?
Sogrape
Why has domestic sale increased?
due to a higher average income and a significant rise in tourism
Which river forms the border with Spain in Vinho Verde?
River Minho
What is the climate of Vinho Verde?
Moderate Maritime, due to Atlantic coast and river valleys that funnel atlantic winds inland
What is the climate of vinho verde to the east?
rise of land, thus poorer soils and climate becomes more continental with drier sub-regions
What kind of grape varieties grow better in the east of Vinho Verde (such as in Baiao, Moncao e Melgaco) and why?
Avesso, which is a later ripening variety.
What style does Alvarinho produce to the east of Vinho Verde?
Fuller bodied and more alcohol
Is the rainfall high or low in Vinho Verde? how many mm per year?
very high! 1500 mm per year, spread out through the year
What can be a problem regarding consistency in Vinho Verde?
vintage variation due to high rainfall
What is the soil in Vinho Verde? What is it capable of doing?
granitic bedrock/topsoil with sandy texture. Good drainage
Is the natural fertility high or low in Vinho Verde? What can be done about it?
Low, fertilisers needed such as manure
What are hazards in Vinho Verde?
Mildew and rot due to high rainfall
What was the traditional training method used in Vinho Verde?
Training vines up in trees to provide better air circulation
What training system is applied now in Vinho Verde and why?
single or double guyot, VSP. Trained high for better air circulation and reduce the chances on rot
What canopy techniques are used in Vinho Verde and why?
summer pruning techniques: removal of lateral shoots and leaf removal and green harvest for vigorous varieties
why? To enhance fruit ripening and air circulation
How much percentage of Vinho Verde production is white?
+/- 80%
What is the most planted white variety in Vinho Verde?
Loureiro
What style does Loureiro produce?
mid-ripening, med (+) acidities. Aromas of: citrus, pear, floral and herbal aromas.
What style does Alvarinho produce?
Aromas of citrus, peach, tropical aromas, med(+) body and med to high acidities.
Where is Pederña grown and what style does it produce?
in Vinho Verde, mid-ripening, more neutral than Loureiro or Alvarinho with subtle citrus,apple and high acidities
Is Avesso early or late ripening? what does it mean for the climate it thrives in?
late ripening, needs warm and dry conditions otherwise it can fail to ripen fully. Thus, grows inland south (Baiao) benefitting from warmer conditions
What style does Avesso produce?
lower in acidity than other Vinho Verde varieties, fuller bodied, citrus and stone fruit.
What style does Trajadura produce?
low in acidity, apple&peach aromas. Usually blended with other varieties that have more acidity
Which black grape is planted in Vinho Verde, what style does it produce?
Vinhao, deeply coloured wines, cherry fruit, high acidities
Describe an inexpensive, high volume white wine from Vinho Verde
-May use fruit sourced from across the region
- Made with protective methods and cool fermentation in SS to preserve aromatics
- Released soon after fermentation
-Carbon dioxide added at bottling to give light spritz.
-style: low alcohol, med(+) to high acidities,apple citrus, peach. Can have small amount of residual sugar, good quality made by co-ops or merchants
Describe the style of a higher priced Vinho Verde
-made by boutique wineries
-No addition of carbon dioxide
-single varietal, single sub-region wines
- ambient yeast might be used, old oak for fermentation or maturation
-Wine can be kept on fine lees to add texture and complexity
-Mid to premium priced of very good quality
If the sub region is mentioned, what is the minimum abv?
9% instead of 8%
Which sub-regions are allowed to put alvarinho on the label as single variety?
Moncao and Melgaco, they have lower max yields and min alc levels of 11.5% abv
What are label regulations in other sub-regions of Vinho Verde?
Alvarinho can be stated on the label together with other varieties in the blend if Alvarinho makes up for more than 30% of the blend
What happens if producers choose to state alvarinho on the label as single varietal?
declassified to Minho VR
Explain the wine business in vinho verde
- A lot of growers with very small land holdings, sell their grapes to co-ops or merchants
-only 400 growers who bottle own wines
-35% of wine exported: Germany, USA, Brazil and France
How many ha under vine does the Douro have?
38000 ha
When was Douro DOC established?
1982
What are the 3 sub-regions of the Douro?
-Douro Superior
-Cima Corgo
-Baixo Corgo
Which mountains are near the Douro and what do they do?
-Serra do Marao, 1415 m at highest
-Shelter from the cooler,damper Atlantic weather
What climate does the Douro have and why?
warm continental due to its more inland location and protection from mountains
- Huge range of microclimates
Which region of the Douro is the wettest and coolest?
Baixo corgo, 900 mm rainfall
Which region of the Douro is the driest?
Douro Superior, 450 mm rainfall, hot and arid (Cima corgo had 700 mm and is warmer than Baixo)
What is the soil type in the Douro? Explain what the soil is capable of doing
-Schist, is low in organic matter and has a stony texture= little water retention
- Due to vertical layers, roots can penetrate deep to find water
Why is it important that vines have access to water in the Douro?
Because hillside vineyards do not have irrigation systems and the climate is dry
Is irrigation allowed in the Douro? Under which circumstances?
-Was not allowed
-Since 2019 IVDP allowed it when hydric stress jeopardises and when the vineyards are located in an area where irrigation is permitted
-When using irrigation, IVDP should be notified
What are the three vineyard lay outs common in Douro?
Solcacos, Patamares, Vinha ao alto
Explain the vineyard lay out ‘Solcacos’
-Traditional method
-Narrow terraces, supported by walls of dry rocks
-6000 vines per ha allowed
-Not suitable for mechanisation
-UNESCO protected, cannot be converted for other use
explain the vineyard lay out ‘Patamares’
-Terraces supported by a steep earth ramp
-Small tractors can be used
-Cheaper and easier to maintain than socalcos
-downside: erosion and growth of weeds
-low planting density: 3000-3500 vines per ha
Explain the vineyard lay out ‘Vinha ao Alto’
-Planted in vertical rows up the slope
-least expensive, easiest to maintain
-higher density (5000 vines per ha)
-above 40% incline, mechanisation cannot be used
-problem: water run off and erosion
What are mainly the 2 leading black grape varieties in a blend in the Douro?
Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca
What style does Touriga Nacional produce in Douro?
-High level of colour and tannins, black fruit flavours, floral notes (violet,rose, orange blossom), retains acidity well, long ageing potential
-mid ripener, thick skin
-excessive vegetative growth -> summer pruning and can suffer from coulure (can lower yields)
What style does Touriga Franca produce in Douro?
-Late ripening: suitable for warmest sites
-tight bunches, thick skin (resistant to fungal diseases)
-Can be vigorous -> summer pruning
- Contributes colour,tannin and acidity to a blend, juicy red and black fruit& floral aromas
What is the most planted black grape variety in Portugal
Aragonez/ tinta roriz (in Douro)
Which black grape variety has gained popularity in the Douro? Why?
-Sousao (Vinhao in Vinho Verde)
-Because its high acidity which brings freshness to a blend even in warmer years
Which white varieties can be found in the Douro?
-Viosinho, Rabigato,Gouveio (godello), Moscatel galego Branco
What is the style of Viosinho in Douro?
-Full bodied, floral notes,stone fruit
-Can lack acidity