Portugal: The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Question 1

Portugal : Climate

Answer 1

• west areas are strongly influenced by the Atlantic which brings cool, rainy weather
• inland protected by the mountainshas a continental climate , warmer and drier
• in the south ,its warmer and drier with rolling hills and plains

Question 2

Portugal: Soil

Answer 2

• Schist or granite are found in the mountain regions eg. Vinho Verde, Douro and Dao and on hilly areas of Alentejo
  -eg. Barraida, Lisboa, Tejo and Penisula de Stubal are more varies awith **clay and high limestone **content
  -some are more sandy closer to the ocean
  -riverbanks in Tejo are alluvial

Question 3

Portugal: Vineyard Management

Answer 3

-2021 , 192,000ha planted
-high producing vineyards in Tejo on alluvial soils and Vinho Verde have been grubbed up sinc the EU 1986
-Replanting has focused on high quality planting materia and sites
-Alentejo, warm and sunny with flat areas has seen investment and growth , machine harvested
EU fundd and consultsnt winemakers have meant more quality wines in a soft ripe style
Alentejo has a high number of estates with yunger vines - set up for tourism as it is close to Lisbon
-99% of production takes place on the mainland
-production varies between 600-740million L
-Douro, Dao and Alentejo have since drought in the last decade
-Douro suffered from hail and storms in 2017 that reduced yields - also bushfires
-Coastal regions are at risk of fungal diease and poor fruit set from heavy rain
-Common hazards: Esca, Grapevine moth

Majority VSP , cordon and replacemnent cane trellised - single varietal blocks
-Some old bush vines in the Douro and Alentejo ….These are planted in a mix or ‘field blend’
-not generally required to need autho from the government to irriagate but a degree at a regional level may exist
Douron must notify the IVDP ( Port production) and is onyl used to save from drought , not boost yields

around 2% are certified organic and is low becasue it is not seen as a benefit also the coastal areas are at a risk of fungal disease

Question 4

-many id

Portugal : Grape Varieties

Answer 4

1.Tinta Roriz
2.Touriga Franca
3.Touriga Nacional
4.Maria Gomes
5.Castelao
6.Trincadeira
7.Baga
8.Loureiro
9.Arinto
10.Syrah
11.Roupeiro
12.Alicante Bouschet

-many grapes are indigenous to Portugal
-international varieites are allowed in Tejo, Alentejo, Barriada and some areas of Lisboa and Peninsula de Setubal
-growing trend to return to artisanal and native grape varieites
-majority are blends with these exceptions
Baga in Barraida
Encruzado in Dao
Alvarinho in Moncao e Melgaco sub region of Vinho Verde