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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > Portugal > Flashcards

Portugal Flashcards

Learn about Portugal's DOP system, major growing regions + their grapes + styles, climate, and topography. Does not include Port.

1
Q

What is Portugal flanked by?

A

Atlantic Ocean to the west

Spain to the east (and north -> Rías Baixas DO)

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2
Q

What are the 3 specific climates of Portugal and where are they?

A
  1. Maritime = Northern Portugal including northern coastal area; humid, cooler than the other areas
  2. Mediterranean = central + southern coastal areas
  3. Continental = interior areas from north to south
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3
Q

How many indigenous Portuguese cultivars are there?

A

>200

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4
Q

Wines WITHOUT geographical indication are called this in Portugal:

A

Vinho (pronouced VEEN-yo)

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5
Q

Wines WITH geographical indication in Portugal have 2 classification levels:

A
  1. IGP (Indicação Geográfica Protegida)
  2. DOP (Denominação de Origen Protegida)
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6
Q

What qualifications must an IGP wine meet to use the IGP designation?

A
  • 85% of the grapes must be from the indicated region
  • several grapes allowed to be planted/used
  • it’s a larger regional designation, so where the grapes can come from is a bigger area than that of DOP
  • minimum abv for regional designations
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7
Q

What qualifications must a DOP wine meet to use the DOP designation?

A
  • style, yields, minimum abv, and aging requirements are regulated per DOP
  • DOP is the top quality designation in Portugal
  • DOPs are smaller regions nested within IGPs
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8
Q

What are the 5 DOP regions in Portugal to know for this exam?

A
  1. Vinho Verde DOP (north coast)
  2. Douro DOP (north interior, next to Spain)
  3. Dão DOP (north-central interior)
  4. Bairrada DOP (central/north-ish coast)
  5. Alentejo DOP (south interior, next to Spain, HOT)
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9
Q

What is the largest DOP in Portugal?

A

Vinho Verde DOP

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10
Q

Where is Vinho Verde DOP?

What are its borders?

A
  • Northern Portugal
  • Borders Atlantic coast
  • Borders Spain’s Rías Baixas DO
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11
Q

What does the name ‘Vinho Verde’ tell you about the wine that comes from this DOP?

A

Translates to “green wine,” indicating it youthfulness and when it should be drunk (young)

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12
Q

What is the climate of Vinho Verde DOP?

A
  • Maritime
  • Cool, rainy, humid
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13
Q

What are the white grapes grown in Vinho Verde DOP?

A
  • Loureiro (highest plantings)
  • Trajadura
  • Alvarinho (aka Albariño in Spain)
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14
Q

What is the style of Vinho Verde DOP?

A
  • Fresh
  • Lip-smacking acidity
  • Effervescent
  • Light bodied (usually low abv)
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15
Q

How do Vinho Verdes get their effervescence?

A

Most are force carbonated

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16
Q

Which DOP lies directly east of Vinho Verde DOP?

A

Douro DOP

17
Q

What is the location of Douro DOP?

A
  • Northeast Portugal
  • Along border of Spain
18
Q

What is the river that runs through Douro DOP?

What river does it become in Spain?

A

Douro River

Becomes the Duero River in Spain, which runs through Ribera del Duero

19
Q

The ____ wine region in Portugal was one of the first demarcated in the world.

A

Douro

20
Q

The Douro Valley (not the Douro DOP) is best known for what style of wine?

A

Fortified wines from the Porto DOP, aka Port wines.

21
Q

What are the 3 subregions of Douro DOP?

What are their climates like?

A

From west to east:

  1. Baixo Corgo - somewhat influenced by Atlantic
  2. Cima Corgo - drier, more Continental climate
  3. Douro Superior - hot and dry
22
Q

What is the landscape of Douro DOP like?

A

Mountainous, isolated, lots of steep and terraced mountainsides.

23
Q

What is the soil in Douro DOP’s top vineyards?

A

Schist / granite

24
Q

What is the Douro DOP’s top red grape?

A

Touriga Nacional

There are several other varieties, but this is Portugal’s most important and cherished red grape.

25
Q

What does the word ‘quinta’ translate to in English?

A

Single vineyard

26
Q

What style of wine is the Douro DOP known for?

A
  • Full bodied, rich, intense, dry, concentrated red wines
  • Almost always blends of varying red grapes, including both indigenous and international varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon

Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) (40 decks)

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