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WSET 3 > Portugal > Flashcards

Portugal Flashcards

1
Q

Map of Portugal

A
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2
Q

Portugal’s Climate

A

Atlantic influence but inland is very hot, dry

Mostly CONTINENTAL

Altitude also helps moderate some regions

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3
Q

“The Five” Port varietals

A

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Franca

Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo)

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Cao

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4
Q

Making PORT

A

Fermentation stopped at 5-9% alc, adding brandy to 19-22%

Spirit or aguardente no stronger than 77%

Foot treading, 3-4 hours in shallow lagares, then punch-downs

Autovinifiers - sealed vessel with pressure release mech

Piston plungers and robotic lagares now being used

Typical aging in Vila Nova de Gaia (not Tawnys)

Oak casks and tanks (now some SS)

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5
Q

Port Types

A

Small amounts of white and rose Ports are made

Ruby - inexpensive, blend of wines 1-3 years old

Tawny - if inexpensive, tawny but not showing quality of real ones

Tawny - with age indication

Reserve/Reserva - approved by tasting panel, 6 years min oak aged

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV)

Vintage

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6
Q

Vintage PORT

A

Typically only produced in ‘great’ years

Register intent in 2nd year after harvest, bottle no later than 3rd

All aging in large oak or stainless steel

Must be unfiltered and unfined, sediment occurs in-bottle

They are tannic and concentrated, and can age for decades

Different strategies to managing the Vintage Port release and designation. Single-Quinta (vineyard) Ports may be especially good years, or the best Quinta that year of a larger producer.

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7
Q

Tawny PORT - with age indication

A

Long period of oxidative aging in pipes (barrels)

10, 20, 30, 40 years old

Must be consistent with a wine of that age

The age is an AVERAGE age, and not the age of the youngest wine

Label must state year of bottling as they lose freshness after bottling

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8
Q

PORT - Late Bottled Vintage (LBV)

A

Vintage wines aged 4-6 years (in large oak) before bottling

Most are fined and filtered

Aging, oak, and treatment to make more approachable on release

Most ready to drink on release

Some unfiltered can benefit from aging (but form sediment)

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9
Q

Douro Climate

A

Warm Continental, rain shadow of Serra do Maroa

Wet and cooler to the west, progressively warmer/drier east

Frost in spring, rain can impact flowering and harvest

Schist bedrock fractures vertically, allowing deep roots

Vineyards planted on steep terraced slopes

New terrace systems allowing tractor access

Varied aspect, altitude, and E-W heat gives many options

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10
Q

DOC DOURO

A

Inland from Vinho Verde - see climate card

PORT

Dry wines also from ‘THE FIVE’

Reds: Touriga Nacional highest quality and most well known

Low yield, deep color, full body, high tannin, rich black fruit

Often made with toasty new oak

Whites in high altitude vyds, fresh fruit and med-to-high acid

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11
Q

White VINHO VERDE

A

Local varietals, typically with a little spritz

Lower alcohol (8-11.5%) and often off-dry

LOUREIRO

ARINTO

Pale lemon, high acid, low alc, light CO2

If variety is mentioned in a sub-region, could be up to 14%

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12
Q

Red VINHO VERDE

A

VINHO VERDE ALVARINHO

Alvarinho (Albarino) grape

Small subregion Moncao e Melgaco

Alc 11.5-14% and riper, more tropical aromas

Some reds (deep color and tannic) and roses as well

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13
Q

DOC VINHO VERDE

A

NW near the ocean – moderate maritime – high rainfall

High rain encourages canopy growth and disease pressure

Used to be primarily PERGOLA trellises for airflow and protection

Many now using VSP for air flow, quality, and mechanization

If allowed, special varietals and sub regions can have 11.5-14%

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14
Q

DOC BIRRADA

A

West of DAO toward the Atlantic with MARITIME CLIMATE

BAGA – dominant black grape

Late ripening with small, thick skinned berries

Deep color, high tannin, black fruit

Under-ripeness leads to high acid and astringency

Gentler crushing and maceration, along with blending

Other Portuguese and International varieties grown

Whites from local BICAL and MARIA GOMES

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15
Q

DOC DAO

A

Vineyards on gentle slopes 200-400m altitude

Cold wet winters and warm dry summers, high diurnal variation

Reds show delicate red fruit, soft tannin, high acid

New vineyards with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen (Mencia)

Also Alfrocheiro

Deep color, blackberry and strawberry

Whites from Encruzado – light to rich (barrel fermented)

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16
Q

DOC ALENTEJO

A

Reds - Deep color, high (soft) tannins, full body, ripe fruit

ARAGONES (TEMPRANILLO)

TRINCADEIRA - drought tolerant grape, spicy berry, high tannin

ALICANTE BOUSCHET - deep color, high tannin, blender

Whites -ARINTO, ANTAO VAZ, ROUPEIRO

Floral, fruity wines w med-to-high acid, some ferment in oak

Vinho Regional Alentejano, very liberal designation allows more vineyards and varieties

WSET 3 (23 decks)

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