Portugal Flashcards
compare the climate from west to east, north to south
maritime to continental, moderate to warm
compare topography from north and south
mountain ranges to rolling hills and plains
General soil type in the mountainous regions; in the more coastal regions
mountainous: stony soils - schist and granite (Duoro, Dao, Vinho Verde, hilly outcrops of Alentejo)
coast: more varied soils; some areas have clay soils with a high limestone content, whereas other areas have sandy soils (Bairrada, Lisboa, Tejo, Peninsula de Setubal)
Riverbanks: fertile alluvial soils (Tejo)
Common pests/diseases
Fungal disease and poor fruit set near the coast, drought inland ie. Douro, Dão and Alentejo
overall: trunk disease esca, European grapevine moth
Vine training - traditional and modern. Where are the traditional ones still mostly found?
Traditional: Old bush vines of field blends - most in Douro and Alentejo, some in Dao and Bairrada
Modern: cordon or replacement cane pruned with VSP, single varietal vineyards/vineyard blocks
Irrigation - yes or no?
yes - regulated.
irrigation is only to be used in scenarios where lack of water could jeopardise quality and cannot be used for boosting yields.
organic viticulture - yes or no?
Yes and growing but not certified
Most planted varietal:
aragonez/tinta roriz
What regions do not allow international varietals?
Douro, Dão or Vinho Verde
What is the general shift in terms of varietals planted in Portugal?
growing tendency to return to Portuguese varieties and some small, ‘artisanal’ producers are reviving native grapes that had fallen out of fashion
Notable single varietals:
Baga in Bairrada
Encruzado in Dao
Alvarinho in the Monção e Melgaço of Vinho Verde
modern/experimental winemaking techniques unique to Portugal:
- Large (3,000–6,000 L) Portuguese oak and Brazilian hardwood toneis
- Portuguese oak and chestnut barrels
- fermenting and foot-treading in lagares
- Fermenting and/or ageing wine in clay vessels on skin (ie DOC Vinho de Talha in Alentejo)
- skin contact for whites
Portugal’s PDO/PGI system
Vinho
VR (Vinho Regional)
DOC/DOP
Portugal’s major players in the past and today
past, pre revolution: small growers and co-ops making inexpensive bulk wine (ie. Mateus Rosé )
today: small growers, co-ops and negociants (of higher quality), grower-producers, small-volume winemakers
What regions have had the most vine grubbed up?
Vinho Verde
the fertile, alluvial soils of Tejo
Vinho Verde climate? influences?
moderate maritime - atlantic coast and river valleys that funnel atlantic winds inland
inland is warmer and drier (Baião and Monção e Melgaço)
Rainfall in Vinho Verde?
Can reach 1500mm/yr
Soil in Vinho Verde?
granitic providing good drainage. The natural fertility of the soil is low and therefore fertilisers, such as manure, are commonly needed
Vinho Verde diseases?
fungal diseases including rot and mildew
Vinho Verde:
traditional/modern vine training
What do they both do?
trad: training vines up trees
modern: single or double Guyot (replacement-cane) with VSP, or lyre system
trained relatively high to increase air circulation
Major varietals in Vinho Verde and their styles:
Loureiro - mid-ripening and produces wines with medium (+) acidity and citrus, pear, floral and herbal aromas
Alvarinho - citrus, peach and sometimes tropical flavours, often with medium (+) body and medium (+) to high acidity
Pederna - more neutral. subtle citrus and apple fruit and high acidity
Avesso - lower acidity, relatively full-bodied and displays citrus and stone fruit
Trajadura - low in acidity with apple and peach flavours.
Vinho Verde: high quality wine:
Single varietal Alvarinho from the inland subregion Monção e Melgaço are better quality, from lower yields and higher concentration. Can be a named grape on the label
Most planted red varietal in Vinho Verde and its style
Vinhao (Sousao in Duoro) - deeply coloured wines with cherry fruit and characteristic high acidity
Major players in Vinho Verde
Grape Growers (<1ha each on avg)
Merchants/co-ops
Typical Vinho Verde winemaking and style:
- blend of varietals and sourced from across the region
- protective winemkaing and cool fermentation in stainless steel.
- bottled for release soon after the end of fermentation
- carbon dioxide is often added at bottling to give a light spritz.
-low in alcohol and medium (+) to high in acidity with apple, citrus and/or peach flavours,
- Some wines may have a small amount of residual sugar.
- good quality
What are the subregions and climate of the Duoro
Baixo Corgo to the west is the coolest and wettest
Cima Corgo is warmer and drier
Douro Superior is the hot and arid to the east
Geographical feature that is at the west end of the Duoro
Serra do Marão
This mountain shields the Douro region from the worst of the cooler, damper Atlantic weather, and means that overall the region has a warm continental climate.
Role of the Duoro River
provide valley sides with a variety of aspects and altitudes, resulting in a huge range of microclimates
Soil of the Duoro and why it’s important
schist
Low in organic matter and stony in texture, the soil stores little water, however, because the schist bedrock splits into vertical layers the vine roots can break through it in search of water
Important becuase many vineyards are not setup for irrigation and drought is a major issue