Portugal Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the climate of Portugal.

A

A
The majority of Portugal is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, so much of the country has a Maritime climate.

Going inland, the climate becomes dry, hot and continental which can be mitigated by altitude.

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2
Q

What are the classification levels of Portuguese wine?

A

In ascending order:

PGI level :
IGP -Indicação Geográfica Protegida, aka Vinho Regional

PDO level:
DOP and DOC are both used in Portugal
Denominação de Origem Protegida and Denominação de Origem Controlada

Table wine without GI are labelled as Vinho

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3
Q

Name the 5 most important DOCs/DOPs of Portugal.

A

Vinho Verde
Douro
Dão
Bairrada
Alentejo

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4
Q

What makes Protugal special regarding of its Grape varieties ?

A

wealth of indigenous varieties
can have diffrent names in different regions

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5
Q

Where is Vinho Verde located?

A

A
Vinho Verde is in the very northwestern corner of Portugal, on the south side of the Minho River across from Galicia.

The Altantic Ocean is on Vinho Verde’s western border.

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6
Q

What is the climate of Vinho Verde?

A

Vinho Verde’s climate is moderate Maritime due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

The region receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the year.

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7
Q

Due to the high amount of rainfall in Vinho Verde, what threats do the vines face?

A

Fungal diseases can be rampant if the vines’ canopies are not managed correctly.

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8
Q

What is the classic vineyard trellising system used in Vinho Verde?

A

The pergola system

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9
Q

In recent years Vinho Verde has started to move into which other trellising system?

A

Spur-pruned VSP system - this allows for increased air circulation and tractors/mechanization.

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10
Q

What is the classic style of wine of Vinho Verde DOC?

A

Low alcohol (8 - 11,5 %), crisp, citrusy white wines
Wines with lower alcohol are usually off-dry

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11
Q

What is the typical abv range of Vinho Verde DOC?

A

8% - 11.5%

But if a grape variety, sub region or labelling term is mentioned, the wine can have up to 14% abv

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12
Q

What are the local white grape varieties of Vinho Verde?

A

Arinto
Loureiro
Alvarinho

Traditionally, Arinto and Loureiro ha ve a sligt sparkling sensation

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13
Q

Are they black varieties in Vinho Verde DOC ?

A

Yes, fro the production of deeply coloured and tannic red and fresh and fruity rosé

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14
Q

If a wine label reads Vinho Verde Alvarinho, what % must be Alvarinho?

A

100%

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15
Q

What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?

A

Douro

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16
Q

What is the mountain range on the western side of the Douro Valley?

A

Marão Mountains

17
Q

Where is Douro DOC located?

A

The Douro DOC is located approximately 80 km upriver (east) from the city of Porto.

The Douro DOC abuts the border with Spain.

18
Q

What style of wine is the Douro Valley most famous for?

A

The production of Port wines.

19
Q

Name the 5 leading red grape varieties used for both unfortified and fortified wines in the Douro.

A

Touriga Nacional
Touriga Franca
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Cão
Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo)

20
Q

Describe Touriga Nacional grape and style of wines

A

low yields, intense colour and flavours
high levels of Tannins

21
Q

Describe the general characteristics of red and white wines of Douro DOC

A

Red wines
- deeply coloured
- full-bodied
- high level of ripe tannins
- rich black ffruit flavours
- Toasty aromas from maturation in oak

White wines
- High-altitude vinyeards, fresh varietal fruit and medium-high acidity

22
Q

What is the elevation range in the Dão?

A

400m to 500m in elevation.

23
Q

What is the climate of Dão?

A

Vines are planted on gentler hills
cold wet winters and warm dry summers
Significant temperature variation between day and night

24
Q

Which white grape variety is used for high-quality wines in the Dão?

A

Encruzado

25
Q

Name the most important and high-quality red varieties in the Dão.

A

Touriga Nacional
Jaen
Tinta Roriz
Alfrocheiro (deeply colored)

26
Q

What is the red wine styles of Dao?

A

High quality
Delicate red fruit aromas, soft tannins high acidity.

Alfrocheiro gives deeper in colour and intense blackberry and strawberry flavours

27
Q

What is the Spanish name of Jaen?

A

Mencía

28
Q

Where is the Bairrada Region located within Portugal?

What is its climate?

A

Bairrada is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Dão.

It has a Maritime climate. (rainy winters, dry summers)

Rain can be a problem for late ripening varieties

29
Q

What are the main grape varieties of the Bairrada region?

A

Baga for red wines
Bical and Maria Gomes for white wines

30
Q

Describe the grape and wine characteristics of Baga

A

Late-ripening, small thick skinned berries
Deep in colour with high tannin
rich black fruit flavours
Gentler curshing, maceration techniques and blending give softer wines.

If underripe, highg acidty and astringent

31
Q

What is the largest wine region in Portugal by size?

A

Alentejo

32
Q

What is the climate of Alentejo

A

warm growing season
but small climatic differences among the sub-regions allow a range of styles to be produced

33
Q

In how many subregion is spread Alentejo ?

A

8 sub-regions

34
Q

Alentejo DOP spans a large area, and the wines vary in style from the north to the south.

In the ________, the wines are more elegant thanks to cooler temps and more rainfall.
In the ________, the wines are rich and more concentrated due to a hotter, drier climate.

A

North - more elegant
South - richer

35
Q

What red grape varieties are used in Alentejo?

A

Aragonês (tempranillo)
Alicante Bouschet (deep colour and high tannins, use in blends)
Trincadeira (spicy red berry flavours, medium tannin)

36
Q

The largest Vinho Regional region in terms of production in Portugal is _________.

A

Vinho Regional Lisboa
North of LIsbon

37
Q

What is the large Vinho Regional region based around Alentejo DOC but covering a farr more extensive areal?

A

Vinho Regional Alentejano

38
Q

What is the advantage of Vinho regional ?

A

More liberal in terms of regulations, wider range of grape varieties can be used, particularly international varieties