Portugal Flashcards
What is the climate of Portugal?
Varies from maritime (coastal) to continental (inland), with hot summers and wet winters.
What are the key climatic influences in Portugal?
Atlantic Ocean (cooling effect), mountain ranges, and river valleys (Douro, Tejo).
What is the Portuguese wine quality structure?
Vinho (table wine), VR (Vinho Regional - PGI), DOC (Denominacão de Origem Controlada - PDO).
What are the main wine-producing regions of Portugal? (7)
Minho, Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo, Colares, Setúbal.
Where is the Douro region located?
Northern Portugal, along the Douro River, famous for Port and dry red wines.
Where is the Dão region located?
Central Portugal, producing structured red wines from Touriga Nacional.
Where is the Minho region located?
Northwest Portugal, home to Vinho Verde wines.
Where is the Bairrada region located?
Central Portugal, known for Baga-based red wines and sparkling wines.
Where is the Alentejo region located?
Southern Portugal, producing rich, fruit-forward red and white wines.
Where is the Colares region located?
Near Lisbon, famous for ungrafted vines on sandy soils producing Ramisco-based reds.
Where is the Setúbal region located?
Near Lisbon, known for Moscatel de Setúbal, a fortified wine.
What are the principal red grape varieties of Portugal?
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Baga, Castelão, Alicante Bouschet.
What are the principal white grape varieties of Portugal?
Alvarinho, Arinto, Loureiro, Encruzado, Fernão Pires.
What are the main grape varieties used in Douro wines?
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão.
What are the main grape varieties used in Bairrada wines?
Baga (red), Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires) for whites.
What are the main grape varieties used in Dão wines?
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (reds); Encruzado (whites).
What are the main grape varieties used in Vinho Verde wines?
Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto, Avesso (whites).
What are the main grape varieties used in Setúbal wines?
Moscatel (Muscat) for fortified sweet wines.
What are the key labeling terms on Portuguese wines?
‘Garrafeira’ (aged wines), ‘Reserva’ (higher quality), ‘Colheita’ (vintage-dated wine).
What are the Portuguese aging terms and requirements?
Reserva’ (higher alcohol and aging than legal min), ‘Garrafeira’ (min. 36 months aging for reds, 12 for whites).
What is ‘Vinho Verde’?
A youthful, slightly effervescent wine from Minho, usually white but also (rarely) made in red and rose styles.
What does VR (Vinho Regional) mean in Portugal?
A broader PGI category allowing more flexibility in grape varieties and winemaking styles.
What does DOC (Denominacao de Origem Controlada) mean in Portugal?
A stricter PDO category with regulated grape varieties, yields, and winemaking practices.
What are the main VR wine regions in Portugal?
VR Minho, VR Transmontano, VR Duriense, VR Beiras, VR Tejo, VR Lisboa, VR Alentejano, VR Algarve, VR Madeira, VR Açores.
What are some important DOC wine regions in Portugal? (9)
Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo, Vinho Verde, Colares, Setubal, Madeira, Porto.
Which VR region covers the Vinho Verde DOC?
VR Minho.
Which VR region covers the Douro DOC?
VR Duriense.
Which VR region covers the Dão DOC?
VR Terras do Dão.
Which VR region covers the Bairrada DOC?
VR Beiras.
Which VR region covers the Alentejo DOC?
VR Alentejano.
Which VR region covers the Lisboa DOCs?
VR Lisboa.
What is special about the Colares DOC?
It has ungrafted vines growing in sandy soils, making it resistant to phylloxera.
What is the Setubal DOC famous for?
Moscatel de Setubal, a fortified sweet wine made from Muscat grapes.
Which VR region covers the Madeira DOC?
VR Madeira.
Which VR region covers the Azores DOCs?
VR Açores.
