Portugal Flashcards
Historians believe that wine in Portugal was made in the ____ and ____ Valleys as far back as ____BCE, with vines planted by the ____, who originated from what is now Andalusia, Spain
Tagus and Sado Valleys
As far back as 2000 BCE, with vines planted by the Tartessians, who originated from what is now Andalusia, Spain
What was the name of the treaty between England and Portugal signed in 1386?
What was the name of the more recent treaty signed in 1703?
Portugal had an alliance with England for many years - why was this relationship so important?
Treaty of Windsor
The Methuen Treaty
Through several centuries of on-off wars with France, the UK turned to Portugal when France forbade supplies or taxed at punitive rates
Name some key events in the 19th / early 20th century that negatively impacted the Portuguese wine industry
Peninsular war
Portuguese Civil War
French and Spanish wines become more sought after
Phylloxera in 1867
Installation of dictator Salazar in 1932-1972
Explain how Antonio de Oliveira Salazar’s government did little to promote quality wine production in Portugal during his time in power (1932-1972)
Co-ops were given preferential rights
More than 100 co-ops were founded in 50s and 60s
These were badly equipped and run
They produced high volumes of low quality wine
This tarnished Portugal’s reputation
Name the two most successful branded wines produced in Portugal during the 40s
Mateus Rosé
Lancers Rosé
What two events in the second half of the 20th century signalled the start of a new era in Portugal?
The Carnation Revolution (signalling the return to democracy) in the mid 70s
Accession to the EU (1986)
What effect did Portugal’s return to democracy and accession to the EU have on wine production?
- Restrictions on trade and production ceased
- Low interest loans and grants encouraged many winemakers to make and market wines (higher quality)
- Modernisation of infrastructure
- New research programmes and training
- Investment in modern grape growing and winemakeing
- Co-ops were forced to adapt or close
Which ocean strongly influences the weather in Portugal?
What type of weather does it bring?
The Atlantic
Brings cool, rainy weather, particularly to the north west
Describe why some of the inland wine growing regions in the north or Portugal are warmer and drier than those to the west.
Mountain ranges provide shelter
Describe the growing conditions in the south of Portugal
Weather is warmer and drier
The topography is characterised by rolling hills and plains
Where would you expect to find granite and/or schist soils in Portugal?
In mountainous regions such as: Vinho Verde Douro Dao Some hilly outcrops in Alentejo
How many hectares were under vine in Portugal in 2018?
190,000ha
Since Portugal joined the EU in 1986, how have plantings of vines changed?
Lots of high producing vineyards in alluvial soils were grubbed up
Replanting has been focused on higher quality plantings and has been restricted to avoid surpluses
Why has Alentejo seen a particular increase in investment?
It has a warm, sunny, dry climate and flat topography making mechanisation easier
What is the total production of Portuguese wine annually?
560m - 710 million hl
What vine training systems are common in Portugal?
Most vineyards are pruned and trained to either cordon or replacement caned and VSP trellised
A significant number of old bush vines are found in the Douro and certain areas of Alentejo, with smaller numbers also in Dao and Bairrada
When can irrigation be used in Portugal?
In very dry years, producers can notify significant bodies to inform them that they plan to irrigate. It cannot be used to boost yields
Portugal’s admission to the EU led to substantial modernisation in winemaking practices. Explain some of these
Protective winemaking with the use of stainless steel (producing fruity whites)
Destemming equipment (helped tannin management)
Introduction of French oak (to soften tannin)
What is the name of the DOC in Alentejo where wines must be fermented on their skins in clay?
Vinho de Talha DOC
What percentage of Portuguese agricultural output does grape growing represent?
35%
This is the highest in the world
Until the ____ ____ in 1974, Portuguese winemakers had a ready market selling grapes and wine to ____ and ____ producing bulk wine which was then shipped to former African colonies in ____ and ____
Until the Carnation Revolution in 1974, Portuguese winemakers had a ready market selling grapes and wine to negociants and co-ops producing bulk wine which was then shipped to former African colonies in Mozambique and Angola
How much Portuguese wine was exported in 2018?
2.3 million hl
What are Portugal’s largest export markets by value?
France
USA
UK
Brazil
What are Portugal’s largest export markets by volume?
France
Angola
Germany
UK
What is the name of the promotional body in Portugal?
Wines of Portugal
Have domestic/ export sales increased or decreased over the last decade?
Both have steadily increased
There has been growth in domestic income compared to the recession years and a rise in tourism
Where is Vinho Verde DOC? What geographical features are here?
North west Portugal
Atlantic ocean is to the west
The river Minho is to the north
Mountains of Peneda-Geras National Park are to the east
How many grape growers farm how many hectares in Vinho Verde?
Do most growers bottle their own wine or sell to merchants/ co-ops
17,250 grape growers farm 1,588ha
Most sell grapes on
How many subregions in Vinho Verde DOC?
9
What is the name of the Vinho Regional (VR) which covers the same geographical area as Vinho Verde DOC?
Is production for the VR larger or smaller than the DOC?
Minho
Production is much smaller
Describe the climate in Vinho Verde
What features give rise to this?
Moderate maritime climate
The Atlantic coast and a network of river valleys that funnel Atlantic winds inwards
In Vinho Verde, as the land gradually ____ to the east, soils become ____ and the climate becomes more ____
In Vinho Verde, as the land gradually rises to the east, soils become poorer and the climate becomes more continental.
Warmer, drier Vinho Verde subregions like ____ and ____ _ ____ lend themselves to later ripening grapes such as ____, and produce wines with more ____ and ____
Warmer, drier subregions like Baião and Monção e Melgação
lend themselves to later ripening grapes such as Avesso, and produce wines with more body and alcohol
What is the average rainfall in Vinho Verde?
What threats does this bring
High - up to 1,500mm per year
Rot and mildew can be an issue
What soils do you generally find in Vinho Verde?
Granitic bedrock with a shallow topsoil of decomposed granite with a sandy texture
Soils have good drainage (good for high rainfall)
Soil fertility is low - fertilisers are commonly needed
What vine training methods would you expect in Vinho Verde?
Vines were traditionally trained up trees to benefit from better air circulation
Most modern vineyards are now planted in rows either double or single guyot (replacement cane) with VSP or Lyre system
Vines are trained high to improve air circulation and reduce chances of rot
Name some summer pruning techniques that might be used in Vinho Verde. Why would these be carried out?
Removing lateral shoots
Leaf removal
Green harvest
This improves air circulation through the canopy and enhances fruit ripening.
Describe the typical aromas of Loureiro. What level of acidity would you expect?
Citrus, pear, floral and herbal aromas
Med (+) acidity
What is the most planted grape in Vinho Verde?
Where is it mostly grown?
Loureiro
Grown throughout the region, but predominantly by the coast
Where is Alvarinho mostly planted in Vinho Verde?
Traditionally grown in the north in Monção e Melgação
Describe the typical aromas of Alvarinho. What level of acidity would you expect? Body?
Citrus, peach and sometimes tropical notes
Medium (+) to high acidity
Medium (+) body
Describe the typical aromas of Paderna. What level of acidity would you expect?
What is another name for Paderna?
Neutral - subtle citrus and apple
High acidity
Arinto
Describe the typical aromas of Avesso. What level of acidity would you expect? Body?
Citrus and stone fruit
Lower acidity
Relatively full bodied
Describe the typical aromas of Trajadura. What level of acidity would you expect?
What is another name for Trajadura?
Apple and peach
Low acidity
Treixadura
What is the most planted black grape in Vinho Verde?
Describe the typical aromas, colour and acidity
Vinhão (Sousão or Sousón)
Red cherry, deep colour, high acidity
What winemaking practices would you expect for inexpensive, high volume Vinho Verde wines?
What sort of wine businesses produce these wines?
Source and blend fruit from across Vinhoe Verde
Protective winemaking
Cool fermentations
Add CO2 at bottling for a light spritz
Some wines may have residual sugar
Bottled for release soon after fermentation
Co-ops and large merchants mostly produce these wines
Give a typical tasting note for an inexpensive, high volume Vinho Verde wine
Apple, citrus, peach flavours Dry/ off dry Medium (+) to high acidity Medium (-) body Low alcohol Good quality
What winemaking practices would you expect for higher quality Vinho Verde wines?
What sort of wine businesses produce these wines? What quality / price do they acheive?
Growing number of single varietal / single subregion wines
Ambient yeasts
Use of old oak for fermentation and/or maturation
Hold wines on lees for a few months to add texture and complexity
Often from small, boutique winemakers
V.good, mid-priced to premium
What is the minimum ABV of Vinho Verde wines?
What is the minimum ABV of Vinho Verde wines if the subregion is given on the label?
Min. 8% ABV
Rises to min 9% ABV
What is the only subregion in Vinho Verde that can name Alvarinho on its label as a single varietal?
What is the minimum ABV for this wine?
Monção e Melgação
(other regions would have to declassify to Minho VR to label as Alvarinho)
Min. 11.5% ABV
What percentage of Vinho Verde is exported?
35%
Which countries are Vinho Verde’s biggest export markets by volume?
Germany
USA
Brazil
France
Who produces “Barca Velha?”
What DOC is it from?
What is significant about this producer?
Ferreirinha
Douro DOC
They were the first house in Douro dedicated to making a table wine.
Describe the climate in Douro DOC
Warm continental - weather is warmer and drier moving eastwards inland
List the 3 subzones in Douro from west to east. Give the annual rainfall for each.
Baixo Corgo (coolest and wettest, 900mm per annum)
Cima Corgo (700mm per annum)
Douro Superior (Warmest and driest, 450mm per annum)
The western limit of the Douro region is marked by the ____ __ ____ which shields the region from the worst of the cooler, damper, weather coming in from the _____. This means that the climate in general is ____ ____
The western limit of the Douro region is marked by the Serra do Marão which shields the region from the worst of the cooler, damper, weather coming in from the Atlantic. This means that the climate in general is warm continental.
Explain why there are a range of aspects, altitudes and microclimates in the Douro
The Douro river and its tributaries provide valley sides to plant vineyards on
Describe the soils in Douro
Bedrock is schist with a shallow topsoil of decomposed schist
Low in organic matter with stony texture
Schist bedrock splits into vertical layers through which roots break through in search of water
Give the key characteristics of the Touriga Franca vine
Late ripening - suited to warm plots Tight bunches Thick skin Disease resistant Can be vigorous
What does Touriga Franca add to Douro blends?
Deep colour Juicy red and black fruit, floral aromas High acidity High tannin Medium body Medium alcohol
Give the key characteristics of the Tinta Roriz vine
Tempranillo
Early ripening - best on cooler sites
Can suffer hydric stress
High yielding - restrict for concentration