Portugal Flashcards

1
Q

Portugal brief history of viticulture and winemaking.

A
  1. Ancient cultures: Tartessian, Phoenicians, Greek and Romans.
  2. England alliance during Treaty of Windsor (1386) and Methuen (1703). Replaced France while England was at war with the French.
  3. Decline. Peninsular War and Civil War, phylloxera and 40 years of ruling of Antonio de Oliviera Salazar in 1932. Co-ops get political advantages.
  4. Portugal enters the EU in 1986. Financing for new technologies. Austerity bring needs for export markets (inexpensive, mid-priced mainly).
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2
Q

Two major successful brands of Portugal during the mid 40s.

A
  1. Mateus Rose (was 40% of the dry wine production).
  2. Lancers Rose.
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3
Q

The EU financing strategy brought what technological innovation in Portugal?

A
  1. Stainless steel.
  2. De-stemmer.
  3. French oak.
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4
Q

Three main climatic influences in Portugal divided by main areas.

A
  1. Atlantic Ocean (west), cool rainy weather.
  2. Mountain ranges (north-inland) continental climate.
  3. Rolling hills and plains (south), drier.
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5
Q

Main weather-related problems in Portugal.

A
  1. Drought (irrigation is common unless authorisation is required e.g. Douro).
  2. Fungal diseases (in coastal regions).
  3. Extreme weather events. Hail/storms and wildfires.
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6
Q

Most planted grape varieties in Portugal.

A
  1. Aragonez/Tinta Roriz.
  2. Touriga Franca.
  3. Touriga National.
  4. Fernao Pires/Maria Gomes.
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7
Q

Most important trellising systems in Portugal.

A
  1. Old bush vines (historically, older vines).
  2. High-trained (to increase air circulation where Atlantic is influencing).
  3. Guyot/VSP.
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8
Q

How was called the old Portuguese and Brazilian 3-6000 litre vessel?

A

Toneis.

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9
Q

PDO/PGI system in Portugal.

A
  1. Vinho - wines that are neither PDO/PGI.
  2. VR (Vinho Regional) - PGI.
  3. DOC/DOP - PDO.
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10
Q

Growers, negociants and co-ops. What changed after Portugal entered the EU?

A
  1. Many growers stopped selling to negociants to produce their own wines.
  2. Negociants managed to purchase many vineyards where they were buying grapes.
  3. Co-ops lowered their numbers drastically, carefully selecting vineyards (old vines, lesser-known regions or varieties).
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11
Q

General climate of Vinho Verde.

A

Moderate maritime climate.
More continental going towards east.

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12
Q

Climatic influences of Vinho Verde.

A
  1. Atlantic Ocean - moderating influence.
  2. River Minho and tributaries - they funnel Atlantic winds inland.
  3. Peneda-Geres National Park mountains - warmer east areas with poorer soils.
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13
Q

Main diseases in Vinho Verde and what is done to prevent it?

A

Fungal diseases (rot and mildew).

Increase air circulation:
1. High training (VSP, double guyot). Some vines are trained up on trees.
2. Leaf removal, green harvesting.

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14
Q

Soils in Vinho Verde.

A
  1. Granitic bedrock.
  2. Decomposed granite and sand.

Both low fertility, manure and fertilisers are commonly used.

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15
Q

Varietals planted in Vinho Verde.

A
  1. Loureiro (most planted, mid-ripening, medium + acidity, citrus and herbal).
  2. Alvarinho (main subzone is Moncao e Melgaco).
  3. Pederna/Arinto (mid-ripening, neutral).
  4. Avesso (late ripening, lower acidity, peach and lemon).
  5. Trajadura (as Avesso, mainly used in blend).
  6. Vinhao (most planted black variety, high acidity, deep colour, red fruit).
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16
Q

Two main winemaking features of inexpensive and mid-priced Vinho Verde.

A
  1. CO2 added at bottling for a light spritz.
  2. Small amount of residual sugar is left.
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17
Q

Moncao e Melgaco sub-region specific laws.

A
  1. Minimum 11.5% (in other subregions is 9% and 8% if nothing is on the label).
  2. Only sub-region that can name Alvarinho on the label (from 2016 other sub can name the blend if Alvarinho is 30% present, needs to be declassified as Minho VR is single varietal Alvarinho).
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18
Q

Main producers of Vinho Verde.

A
  1. Anselmo Mendes.
  2. Quinta de Soalheiro.

Mostly growers selling grapes.

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19
Q

Who believed that great red dry wines could be made in Douro?

A

Fernando Nicolau de Almeida returned to Bordeaux in 1952 and experimented with varieties (mostly Tinta Roriz), fermentations and techniques such as cooling the vats with ice.

Barca Velha is now comanding super-premium prices.

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20
Q

What brought producers in Douro to produce more dry wines?

A

It started after they brought a court case to be allowed to export port from the estates in the Douro (instead of Villa Nova de Gaia).

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21
Q

General climate of Douro.

A

Warm continental.

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22
Q

Main climatic influences of Douro.

A
  1. River Douro and tributaries (creating aspects and altitude).
  2. Serra do Marao - shields from cool, damp Atlantic influences.
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23
Q

Why schist soils in Douro help with drought?

A

They are split in vertical laters permitting to the vine to dig deeper to search for water.

Vineyards in Douro are not set up for irrigation.

24
Q

Can you irrigate in Douro?

A

Only under IVDP authorisation.

25
Q

Three main subregions of Douro.

A
  1. Baixo Corgo - cool and wet (900mm).
  2. Cima Corgo - warm and dry (700mm).
  3. Douro Superior - dry and arid (450mm).
26
Q

Main grapes for Douro red and white wines.

A
  1. Reds:
    Touriga Franca (ripe fruit),
    Touriga National (high colour tannins),
    Sousao (high acidity).
  2. Whites:
    Vioshino (full body),
    Rebigato (high acidity),
    Gouvelo (fruit), Moscatel Galego Branco (aromatics).
27
Q

Style and quality of wines from Douro.

A

Red, rose, white and sparkling. Mostly reds.

Inexpensive to super-premium.

28
Q

Most important producers of dry reds in Douro.

A
  1. Prats & Symington.
  2. Quinta do Vale Meao.

They both are Port producers.

29
Q

Premium wines production in Douro is now focused on what kind of product?

A

Estate owned fruit and single vineyards.

30
Q

Main techniques in Douro and main focus.

A

Control tannic extraction.

  1. Destemming.
  2. Low temperatures in fermentation (stainless steel).
  3. Fermentation starts in Lagares (or blended at the end with stainless steel).
  4. Post-fermentation maceration (softening).
31
Q

General climate of Dao.

A

Moderate mediterranean.

32
Q

Climatic influences of Dao.

A
  1. Surrounded by mountains - blocking from west colling Atlantic breezes and rains and from arid weather from the south and east.
  2. Altitude (valleys, hills, mountains) - 400-500mt, higher diurnal and moderating climate.
33
Q

Rainfall in Dao.

A

High. 1600mm but mostly during winter and autumn.

34
Q

Main hazards of Dao.

A
  1. Hail.
  2. Spring frost.
  3. Water stress (low nutrients, free draining granite, sand, loam soils).
35
Q

Varietals planted in Dao.

A

Reds (80%):

  1. Touriga National.
  2. Tinta Roriz (early ripening, structure).
  3. Jean/Mencia (single varietal, carbonic, early drinking).
  4. Alfrocheiro (mostly roses).

Whites:

  1. Encruzado (full body, med acidity, lees oak).
  2. Malvasia Fina/Boal.
  3. Bical.
  4. Cercial.
36
Q

Average holding of a grower in Dao.

A

0.5ha.

Mostly sold to merchants and co-op also for top-quality production (e.g. Sogrape).

37
Q

General climate of Bairrada.

A

Maritime.

38
Q

Soils of Bairrada linked to wine quality.

A
  1. Alluvial, sandy (west) - low quality, high production.
  2. Limestone-clay (south) - mainly for high-quality Baga. The balance between water retention and drainage manages yields plus reflects sun (there are many white pebbles in it).
39
Q

Main sub-zone in Bairrada that produces high-quality Baga.

A

Cantanhede.

40
Q

What famous Portuguese wine had quite some Baga in the blend and why?

A

Mateus Rose.

Baga has high-yields and was sold for to co-ops for cheap prices.

41
Q

Structure of the grape Baga.

A

Late ripening, high vigour.
High acidity, high tannins.

42
Q

Winemaking for Baga in Bairrada.

A
  1. De-stem (some uses whole bunch for freshness paying attention to tannin extraction).
  2. Fermentation in open concrete vats or lagares.
  3. Maturation in large barrels.
43
Q

Laws for a wine labeled as Baga Classico.

A

50% min of Baga.
85% min blends of Baga, Alfrocheiro, Touriga, Jaen, Camarate.

44
Q

What white varietals are planted in Bairrada?

A
  1. Maria Gomes (early ripening, works well in damp climates, high yields).
  2. Bical (early ripening, tropical).
  3. Arinto.
  4. Cercial.
45
Q

Are top producers using the DOC Bairrada?

A

Many including Luis Pato and Filipa Pato left as they object to the use of international varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) in the DOC.

They use the VR Beira Atlantico.

46
Q

Appellations around Alentejo.

A
  1. Alentejo DOC (8 non continuous sub-regions).
  2. Alentejano VR (for grapes outside the 8 subregions of the DOC).
  3. Vinho de Talha DOC (skin contact amphora wines).
47
Q

General climate and rainfall of Alentejo.

A

Mediterranean, generally dry.
500 to 800mm.

48
Q

Most important sub-region of Alentejo and why.

A

Portalegre.

High altitude 800mt, with small garden-sized vineyards with ancient field blends.

49
Q

Grape varieties in Alentejo.

A

Reds:

  1. Aragonez/Tinta Roriz (early ripening, can become extra ripe).
  2. Alicante Bouschet.
  3. Trincadeira (prone to rot, high yields).
  4. Syrah.
  5. Also Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

Whites:

  1. Arinto (retain acidity).
  2. Antao Vas (drought tolerant, tropical, good with oak integration).
  3. Also Chardonnay and Viognier.
50
Q

Why Alentejo is the region with the largest domestic sales?

A

Proximity to Lisbon. High wine tourism.

51
Q

Lisboa VR main important DOCs and varietals used.

A
  1. Alenquer: Touriga Nacional, Aragonez (mid to premium prices).
  2. Bucela: Arinto (inexpensive to mid-price, from simple to oaked).
  3. Colares: ungrafted old bush vines of local white varieties and high acidity reds (fog, cool climate).

Also many international varieties are planted: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

52
Q

General climate of Lisboa. What are the most sought-after types of soils and why?

A

High influences from the Atlantic. Wet and windy.

Clay-limestone soils are highly researched for fresher wines.

53
Q

40% of wines from Lisboa VR is produced by who?

A

Santos Lima.

54
Q

Climate, influences and soils in Peninsula de Setubal.

A
  1. Mediterranean.
  2. Tejo and Sado river estuaries.
  3. Clay-limestone in high altitude, flat land is sandy, clay, schist.
55
Q

Two main DOC in Peninsula de Setubal VR.

A
  1. Setubal - sweet fortified Moscal.
  2. Palmela - 67% Castelao blends. Also international (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) and whites (Fernao Pires, Moscatel, Arinto).
56
Q

Castelao style in Palmela according to soils difference.

A
  1. Deep, full body, oaked in warm sandy soils on the plains.
  2. Lighter, early drinking in limestone slopes.
57
Q

Tejo main areas and style of wine.

A
  1. North - higher rainfall (750mm), clay-limestone soils, red wines.
  2. Around the river - fertile alluvial soils (high vigour), white wines.
  3. South - dry, hot, poor sandy soils, red and whites.