Portugal Flashcards
Nickname for the first port wines arriving in England
Blackstrap, because of it’s Strength and richness
When did Portugal begin viticulture?
Long before the Common Era. Viticulture with native grapevine predates the arrival of the Phoenicians, Greeks, Celts, and Romans
When and how did Portugal establish it’s privileged trading relationship with England?
When it signed the Treaty of Windsor in 1386
When was the Madeira Archipelago discovered by Portugal?
1419
When and how was Port first introduced to the English market, why did it become popular
In 1678, two Englishmen arrived in the Douro Valley and discovered the, sweet Fortified wine being made there. They brought back the beverage to England where it soon received widespread popularity. It’s rise was aided by war and trade embargoes with France, A new western interest in sweetness brought by trade with the West Indies, and it’s ability to travel while avoiding spoilage
When was the Treaty of Methuen signed
1703 with England, securing preferential tariffs and solidifying the trading relationship
The Douro Wine Company
An entity created by the Portuguese government to address wide spread fraud and plummeting prices in the English market. In 1756, formally established the boundaries and practices of the Douro appellation. Took power from the English Merchants and regulated grape prices, fixed pricing on the finished wines, managed exports and monopolized the sale of Portuguese brandy (aguardente) used in the fortification process. It’s position as both regulator and shipper opened the door to stern criticism and has since lost it’s regulatory status to the government run Douro Port Wine Institue (IVDP) but survives today as the Royal Oporto Wine Company
Which beverage did Shakespeare claim the Duke of Clarence drowned himself in 1478
Madeira
What beverage was used to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence? George Washington’s inauguration?
Both Madeira
When was the apex of Port and Madeira’s popularity? what led to it’s fall from grace
the 1st decade of the 1800’s. Spain and France invaded Portugal in 1807 to disrupt trade with England, affecting the wines’ quality and price. When Napoleon was finally defeated, England opened up to the European market at large and Port and Madeira had much more competition from French and Spanish wine. New World monopolies began to be lost through independence movements. American diseases powdery and downy mildew and phylloxera decimated vineyards
When did downy and powdery mildew arrive in Portugal? Phylloxera? What were the effects
The mildews arrived in the 1850’s, Phylloxera in 1867. The cumulative effects were devastating. only Colares (on sandy soils) escaped Phylloxera. Many vineyards were not replanted but the cork industry took root during this time.
garrafeira
Portuguese labeling term meaning “private wine cellar.” for vintage dated DOP and IGP wine.
Red: min 30 months aging including 12 months in bottle.
White and Rose: min 12 months aging including 6 months in bottle
garrafeira port
A style pioneered by Nieeport, seperate from the labeling term for red, white and rose. following a few years’ aging in barrels, the Port is matured for a period of at least eight years in glass demijohn.
Portuguese terms for red, white and rose
tinto, branco, rosado
reserva requirements in Portugal
still wines: additional 0.5% abv.
traditional method sparkling: min 12 months on lees.
*Stricter requirements in individual DOPs
Colheita Seleccionda
min 1% additional abv
casta
Portuguese for grape variety
Declared Port vintages of the 2000’s
2000, 2003, 2007, 2011
Declared Port vintages of the 90’s
1991, 1992, 1994. 1997
Declared Port vintages of the 80’s
1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989
Declared Port vintages of the 70’s
1970, 1975, 1977, 1978
Declared Port vintages of the 60’s
1960, 1963, 1966, 1967
Best Port Vintages of the last century
1912, 1927 (arguably the best), 1945, 1948, 1963, 1970, 1985, 1994
IGP Regions of Northern Portugal
Minho, Transmontano, Duriense, Terras de Cister, Beira Atlantico, Terras do Dao, Terras da Beira
IGP Regions of Southern Portugal
Lisboa, Tejo, Alentejano, Peninsula de Setubal, Algarve
IGP Regions of the Portuguese Islands
Terras Madeirenses, Acores
DOPs of Minho
Vinho Verde
DOPs of Transmontano
Tras-Os-Montes
DOPs of Terras de Cister
Tavora Varosa
DOPs of Duriense
Douro, Porto
DOPs of Beira Atlantico
Bairada, Subzone of the IGP: Terras do Sicó
DOPs of Terras do Dao
Lafoes, Dao
DOPs of Terras da Beira
Beira Interior
DOPs of Lisboa
Encostas de Aire, Obidos, Lourinha, Torres Vedras, Alenguer, Arruda, Bucelas, Corales, Carcevelos.
Subzones of the IGP: Estramadura, Alta Estramadura
DOPs of Tejo
DoTejo
DOPs of Alentejano
Alentejo
DOPs of Peninsula de Setubal
Setubal, Palmela
DOPs of Algarve
Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Tavira
DOPs of Terras Madeirenses
Madeira, Madeirense
DOPs of Acores
Biscoitos, Graciosa, Picos
Portugal: number of IGP, DOP
14 IGP, 29 DOP
enforcado
A Traditional vine training system used in Vinho Verde, Portugal. Vines are trained high off the ground along trees, and stakes creating a canopy overhead. This system was developed to deal with the rainy, damp climate and associated rot and fungal diseases. Historically the region was heavily farmed and this system allowed for other crops to be planted beneath the canopy. More modern trellising techniques have taken over today, only accounts for ~10% of plantings.