Portugal Flashcards
Describe the climate of Portugal.
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.
What are the classification levels of Portuguese wine?
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
Name the 5 most important DOCs/DOPs of Portugal.
Vinho Verde
Douro
Dão
Bairrada
Alentejo
What makes Protugal special regarding of its Grape varieties ?
wealth of indigenous varieties
can have diffrent names in different regions
Where is Vinho Verde located?
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.
What is the climate of Vinho Verde?
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.
Due to the high amount of rainfall in Vinho Verde, what threats do the vines face?
Fungal diseases can be rampant if the vines’ canopies are not managed correctly.
What is the classic vineyard trellising system used in Vinho Verde?
The pergola system
In recent years Vinho Verde has started to move into which other trellising system?
Spur-pruned VSP system - this allows for increased air circulation and tractors/mechanization.
What is the classic style of wine of Vinho Verde DOC?
Low alcohol (8 - 11,5 %), crisp, citrusy white wines
Wines with lower alcohol are usually off-dry
What is the typical abv range of Vinho Verde DOC?
8% - 11.5%
But if a grape variety, sub region or labelling term is mentioned, the wine can have up to 14% abv
What are the local white grape varieties of Vinho Verde?
Arinto
Loureiro
Alvarinho
Traditionally, Arinto and Loureiro ha ve a sligt sparkling sensation
Are they black varieties in Vinho Verde DOC ?
Yes, fro the production of deeply coloured and tannic red and fresh and fruity rosé
If a wine label reads Vinho Verde Alvarinho, what % must be Alvarinho?
100%
What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?
Douro
What is the mountain range on the western side of the Douro Valley?
Marão Mountains
Where is Douro DOC located?
The Douro DOC is located approximately 80 km upriver (east) from the city of Porto.
The Douro DOC abuts the border with Spain.
What style of wine is the Douro Valley most famous for?
The production of Port wines.
Name the 5 leading red grape varieties used for both unfortified and fortified wines in the Douro.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Franca
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Cão
Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo)
Describe Touriga Nacional grape and style of wines
low yields, intense colour and flavours
high levels of Tannins
Describe the general characteristics of red and white wines of Douro DOC
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
What is the elevation range in the Dão?
400m to 500m in elevation.
What is the climate of Dão?
Vines are planted on gentler hills
cold wet winters and warm dry summers
Significant temperature variation between day and night
Which white grape variety is used for high-quality wines in the Dão?
Encruzado
Name the most important and high-quality red varieties in the Dão.
Touriga Nacional
Jaen
Tinta Roriz
Alfrocheiro (deeply colored)
What is the red wine styles of Dao?
High quality
Delicate red fruit aromas, soft tannins high acidity.
Alfrocheiro gives deeper in colour and intense blackberry and strawberry flavours
What is the Spanish name of Jaen?
Mencía
Where is the Bairrada Region located within Portugal?
What is its climate?
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
What are the main grape varieties of the Bairrada region?
Baga for red wines
Bical and Maria Gomes for white wines
Describe the grape and wine characteristics of Baga
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
What is the largest wine region in Portugal by size?
Alentejo
What is the climate of Alentejo
warm growing season
but small climatic differences among the sub-regions allow a range of styles to be produced
In how many subregion is spread Alentejo ?
8 sub-regions
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.
North - more elegant
South - richer
What red grape varieties are used in Alentejo?
Aragonês (tempranillo)
Alicante Bouschet (deep colour and high tannins, use in blends)
Trincadeira (spicy red berry flavours, medium tannin)
The largest Vinho Regional region in terms of production in Portugal is _________.
Vinho Regional Lisboa
North of LIsbon
What is the large Vinho Regional region based around Alentejo DOC but covering a farr more extensive areal?
Vinho Regional Alentejano
What is the advantage of Vinho regional ?
More liberal in terms of regulations, wider range of grape varieties can be used, particularly international varieties
