Portugal Flashcards
Portugal Appellations
- Vinho Verde
- Douro
- Bairrada
- Dao
- Alentejo
Portugal Wine Law
Wines w/o geographical indication
-Vinho
Wines w/ geographical indication
- IGP (Indicacao Geografica Portegida)
- —Larger regional designations, 85% must be from the stated region
- —Many grape varieties are allowed
- —Minimum alcohol is regulated
- DOP (Denominacao de Origem Protegida)
- —Primary category for quality wine
- —Specific wine regions, located inside a larger IGP/VR
- —Regulated wine style, maximum yields, minimum alcohol and aging requirements
Vinho Verde DOP Geography
Northern Portugal on the Atlantic Coast, just south of the Spanish border
Vinho Verde DOP Climate
Cool, maritime, rainy and humid. This is a contiguous region of the Spanish Rias Baixas to the north.
Vinho Verde DOP Grape Varieties
White:
- Loureiro (most planted)
- Trajadura
- Alvarinho (Albarino in Spanish)
Vinho Verde DOP Vinification
The most characteristic wine from the region is a low alcohol, white wine with lively acidity and a slight effervescence due - most often - to an injection of carbon dioxide at bottling
Douro DOP Geography
- Northern Portugal along the Douro River (this is the same river as the Spanish Duero)
- The Douro DOP shares the same appellation boundaries as Port, the famous Portuguese foritfied wine
Douro DOP Climate
There are three sub-regions of the Douro, each with a very different climate as you move inland. The climate changes and becomes drier and hotter as you move east away from the Atlantic.
- —Baixo Corgo
- —Cima Corgo
- —Douro Superior
Douro DOP Topography
Mountainous, rugged, wild and remote
Douro DOP Soil Type
Schist (top vineyards)
Douro DOP Grape Varietals
Red:
-Touriga Nacional (plus 200+ indigenous varieties)
Douro DOP Viticulture
- Incredibly steep, terraced vineyards along the banks of the Douro and its tributaries
- Single vineyards or quintas
Douro DOP Vinification
- Rich, dry, ripe, powerful red wines
- Wines are usually a blend of many indigenous grapes
