Portugal: Douro DOC

Question 1

Douro: Climate

Answer 1

• follows the course of the Douro river from the Atlantic Oceaen
• three sub regions
• 1. Douro Superior ( Upper ) - warmest and driest with 450mm of rain but with a huge range of slopes and aspects =huge range of microclimates

2. Cima Corgo - warmer and drier with 700mm of rain
3. Baixo Corgo - western limit is marked nby the Serra ndo Marao at 1415 m and shield the Douro region from the worst cold, damp rains off the ocean
   - coldest and wettest 900mm of rain

Overall, continental climate with site locstion being very important.

Question 2

Douro: Soils

Answer 2

-bedrock , schist and shallow topsoil
-low in organic matter and stony , soils are free draining - schist bedrock splits into vertical layers and vines can break through in search of water
-important in the drier areas that are drought prone
-2019 IDVP relaxed the regualtions to irrigate in the region -if hydric stress jeopardizes the vines , prodcuers need to notify the IDVP if they use water

Question 3

Douro: Vineyard Management and layouts

Answer 3

-same as port production
see D5

Question 4

Douro: Grape Varieties

Answer 4

Touriga Franca -most popular in the blend due to colour and acid retetnion - wines are medium body, medium abv, red and blak fruit with floral notes
Touriga nacional - high colour levels with high tannins and floral rose, orange blosson and black fruit
Sousao - increase in plantings -high acid in warm years

Viosinho - full body with floral notes
Rabigato -high acid, citrus and floral
Gouveio -medium plus acid, citrus and stone fruit
Moscatel Galego Branco -intense grape and floral
( Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains )

Very common to blend from different sites but single quintas are becoming popular
Aspect, altitude and distance from the coast cna influence grapes
Altitude is importnat in the hotter areas of the Douro Superior

Question 5

Douro: Winemaking Styles

Answer 5

• diversity of styles, red, rose and white , inexpensive to super prem and very good to outstanding
• • vinhas velhas -old vines and field blends are super popular
• significant producers are Prat & Symington and Quinta do Vale Meao

-grapes are usually destemmed as extra tannins are rarely needed
-fermentationn in temperature controlled tanks SS
-low for reds ar 24-28 to allow greater control over tannin extraction
-Some still use lagares and may start the ferment in the lagares
-cap mangement and temperature control will infuelnce the producer
-benfefit of the lagare is that extraction levels can be monitored int the open tanks
-wines for early drinking are pressed off skins once ferment is complete
Post fermentation maceration can be carried out on wines for longer ageing to further extract / soften tannins
Oka maturation was traditionally done in large portugese oak but now small French barriques are common
Also 400-500L vessels of new oak so not to overpower the fresh fruit

• inexpensive Douro white wines are cool fermetned in SS
• Light to medium aromas , medium to medium plus acid and good quality
• Moscatel used to enhance aromas
• • premium whites are made from old vines and fermented /matured in new oak - greater intensity of aromas and flavours , body and texture -very good to outstanding

Small volume of rose -simple and made for drinking young - short skin maceration

Question 6

Douro: Wine Business

Answer 6

• Red wine 78%
• Port accounts for 50% of the regions production
• -Still wines are 30% of the total DOC prodcution
• VR Duriense produces much lower volumes but is an option for non local varieties eg. Chardonnay, Riesling and Syrah
• large choice of prem wines , estate grown , quintas - selcted parcels maarked for still wine
• eg. Symington, Quinta do Noval and Niepoort
• 23 co-ops produce high volume wines from a blend of producers and parcels
• Port production and prices are controlled by the Benficio system but such control does not exist for still wintes - infulenced by the market
• they are lower prices than Port and in years of surplus can fall below the cost of production
• Critics of the benficio system argue that the Port prices are artifical and subsidise the growing of grapes for still wines
• Export markets are UK,Canada and Germany
• 63% is consumed domestically (2019)