Portugal - Lisboa, Tejo & Setubal Flashcards
What area does Lisboa cover? Size and topographical feature?
Long thin region running from Lisbon in the south to 150km further north.
A coastal mountain range, the Serra de Montejunto, splits the region into two distinct areas.
Total area under vine in 2018 is 18,000ha
How does the climate of Lisboa affect styles of wine produced?
The W side runs along the Atlantic coast, wet weather and strong winds make grape growing more challenging, though a number of P have been attracted to these sites by the climate and clay-limestone soils, wishing to make lighter bodied, fresher styles of wine. The E side, over the Serra de Montejunto, is more protected and suited to riper, fuller bodied styles of wine.
Which varieties are grown in Lisboa?
A wide range permitted in both the VR and DOCs. Since the major restructuring which followed Portugals accession to the EU (in the bid to switch from quantity to quality), the diverse region has still been finding its path.
Varieties thought to have the highest quality potential are Touriga Nacional and Aragonez, alongside the historic local white grape Arinto.
Popular internationals are Syrah, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Which of Lisboa’s DOCs are the most known? What style do they produce?
Alenquer and Bucelas, both on the Eastern side of the Serra de Montejunto.
Alenquer makes full bodied reds from this sheltered location, often from Touriga Nacional and Aragonez, though many varieties are grown. Good to very good, usually mid with some premium and super premium.
Bucelas, a small historic region, makes high acidity wine wines from Arinto, must be at least 75% of the blend. Some are fermented in steel and bottled soon after. Some may use lees or oak to enhance the texture. Good to very good, inexpensive to mid.
Which Lisboa DOCs have great historic importance? What styles do they produce?
Colares and Carcavelos, much smaller than Alenquer and Bucelas having been almost entirely taken over by Lisbons suburbs.
The cool, foggy and coastal climate and ungrateful Bush vines on deep, phylloxera free sandy soils of Colares are of particular interest to new winemakers that have started making fresh, high acidity red and whites from rarely seen, local grapes.
How often is Lisboa VR used?
The vast majority of production comes from here, and, with its history of production of inexpensive wines for sale to Portuguese colonies, a further significant proportion is sold without a GI.
Although there’s 9 DOCs (one is for grape spirit production), producers often choose to use the VR: the regulations allow more flexibility and the name ‘Lisboa’ is more recognisable than the smaller DOCs.
What was the size of production for Lisboa VR and DOCs in 2017 and 2018?
VR 2017: 877,000hL
VR 2018: 885,000hL
DOC 2017: 60,000hL
DOC 2018: 45,000hL
How many wines are being certified for Lisboa VR or DOCs?
An increasing amount, as quality is improving due to re-structured vineyards maturing and P gaining experience in the vineyard and winery.
Who are significant Lisboa producers?
40% of certified wine is made by one P, Casa Santos Lima, which makes inexpensive and mid brands and labels for private retailers, mostly on the export markets.
Quinta de Chocapalha and Quinta do Monte d’Oiro
Where is the Península de Setúbal located? Size and general climate?
Between the estuaries of Tejo and Sado, S of Lisbon. 9500 ha.
Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Mountains in the S provide cooler sites at higher altitudes on clay-limestone.
Much of the land is flat and sandy, with more clay and schist further inland.
What are the two DOCs of the Setúbal? What style of wine do they P?
Setúbal DOC, for sweet fortified wines from Moscatel varieties.
Palmela DOC mainly produces reds. Must be 67% Castelão (Periquita). It produces wines deep in colour and full bodied, with red berry fruit.
Often matured in oak for spice. It’s best grown in the warm sandy vineyards on the plains. If grown on limestone soils it produces lighter wines better for early drinking.
A variety of black indigenous and international are grown, with the international ones eg Syrah and Cab Sauv better suited to the cool, limestone and clay slopes.
Whites are also produced, mainly from Fernão Pires, Moscatel and Arinto. Again a wide range is permitted.
Good with some v good, and mod priced.
How much area does the Península de Setúbal VR cover? What does it permit?
A larger area including the peninsula and further south, and encompasses the DOCs.
It allows greater flexibility, eg. Red wines can be made from a range of international varieties, and there’s no minimum for Castelão.
How does production differ in Setúbal between VR and DOCs? Who are key P?
VR 2018: 217,000hL
DOC 2018: 171,000hL (still wines only).
Two large P have been major modernising influences in the region: José Maria da Fonseca (Lancers and Periquita) and Bacalhôa Vinhos.
Where is Tejo located? Where are plantings based around?
Inland from Lisboa, named after the Tejo river (River Tagus) that runs through it.
In the past, production was focused on volume and vineyards on the fertile riverbanks were able to produce high yields.
After joining the EU, a substantial number of those on fertile soils were grubbed up.
New plantings of higher quality grapes have been focused on less fertile soils to the N and S
How is production divided in Tejo?
The name of both the VR and DOC. The VR covers a wider area, permits a wider range of varieties and larger max yields, and produces substantially more wine than the DOC.
There’s also considerable production of wine without a GI.
What is the general climate, topography, and soil types of Tejo?
Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild, wet winters (750 mm annually).
There are variances in climate and soil over the region. The N has higher rainfall with clay-limestone and schist soils, and mainly produces red wines.
Around the river, fertile alluvial soils mean that vine vigour needs to be carefully managed. White wines.
The S is the driest and hottest and has poor sandy soils. It produces reds and whites.
Which varieties and wine styles are found in Tejo?
The DOC and VR allow a range of local and international varieties.
The most common are Trincadeira, Castelão, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cab Sauv for reds, and Fernão Pires, Arinto, Alvarinho, Sauv B and Chard for whites.
Majority of wines are fruity for early consumption. Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid.
A growing number of high quality, premium wines are produced.
Significant P are Quinta da Alorna and Fiuza & Bright.
