Portugal - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards
What is the primary climate influence in Portugal?
The Atlantic Ocean, creating a maritime climate in coastal areas, while inland regions experience hot, dry, and continental climates.
What are the key wine classifications in Portugal?
PDO (Denominação de Origem Protegida) and PGI (Indicação Geográfica Protegida).
What is the traditional term for PDO in Portugal?
Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC).
What is the traditional term for PGI in Portugal?
Vinho Regional.
What styles of wine does Portugal produce?
A range of styles, including fresh whites, full-bodied reds, rosés, fortified wines (Port), and sparkling wines.
Where is Vinho Verde located?
In the northwest of Portugal, near the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the climate of Vinho Verde?
Moderate maritime with high rainfall, requiring careful canopy management.
What are the key white grape varieties in Vinho Verde?
Loureiro, Arinto, and Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain).
What are the characteristics of classic white Vinho Verde wines?
Pale lemon-colored, high acidity, low alcohol (8–11.5%), often with a slight sparkling sensation.
How does Vinho Verde Alvarinho differ from classic Vinho Verde?
Made from 100% Alvarinho in the sub-region Monção e Melgaço, with higher alcohol (11.5–14%) and tropical aromas.
Where is the Douro region located?
80 km east of Porto, stretching to the Spanish border.
What is the primary focus of wine production in the Douro?
Fortified wines (Port), but also high-quality unfortified red and white wines.
What are the key red grape varieties in the Douro?
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cão.
What are the characteristics of Douro red wines?
Deeply colored, full-bodied, high tannins, with rich black fruit flavors and subtle oak aromas.
What style of white wines is produced in the Douro?
Fresh, varietal-driven whites with medium to high acidity, often from high-altitude vineyards.
Where is the Dão region located?
In a mountainous area 80 km south of the Douro.
What is the climate of Dão?
Cold, wet winters and warm, dry summers with significant diurnal temperature variation.
What are the characteristics of Dão red wines?
Delicate red fruit aromas, high acidity, soft tannins, and subtle oak influence.
What are the key red grape varieties in Dão?
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Jaen (Mencía), and Alfrocheiro.
What is the primary white grape variety in Dão?
Encruzado, producing fresh and barrel-aged styles.
Where is the Bairrada region located?
Between Dão and the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the climate of Bairrada?
Maritime, with rainy winters and warm summers.
What is the dominant red grape variety in Bairrada?
Baga, a late-ripening variety with thick skins.
What are the characteristics of Baga wines?
Deep color, high tannins, with black fruit flavors when ripe or astringent if underripe.
What white grape varieties are grown in Bairrada?
Bical and Maria Gomes, producing fresh, aromatic wines.
Where is Alentejo located?
In the southeast of Portugal, covering eight sub-regions.
What is the climate of Alentejo?
Warm, with cooler areas in the north and hotter, drier conditions in the south.
What are the primary red grape varieties in Alentejo?
Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, and Touriga Nacional.
What are the characteristics of Alentejo red wines?
Deeply colored, full-bodied, with soft tannins and ripe fruit flavors.
What are the primary white grape varieties in Alentejo?
Arinto, Antão Vaz, and Roupeiro, producing fruity and floral wines.
Where is the Lisboa region located?
Along the Atlantic coast, north of Lisbon.
What is the climate of Lisboa?
Maritime, with cooling Atlantic winds moderating temperatures.
Where is the Tejo region located?
Inland, around the Tagus River in central Portugal.
What is Vinho Regional?
A PGI category allowing more flexibility in grape varieties and winemaking practices than DOC wines.
What does “Vinho” refer to in Portuguese wine classification?
Vinho is the most basic classification, often without geographical indication or strict regulations, and includes simple, everyday wines.
What is the climate of Dão, and how does altitude affect its wines?
Dão has a continental climate with cold winters and warm, dry summers. High-altitude vineyards (200–400 meters) produce wines with fresh acidity and elegant flavors.
What is Alfrocheiro, and where is it grown?
Alfrocheiro is a red grape variety grown in Dão, producing deep color wines with black and red fruit.
Where is Alicante Bouschet grown, and what are its characteristics?
Prominent in Alentejo, Alicante Bouschet produces deeply colored, full-bodied wines with bold tannins and ripe black fruit flavors.
What are the main white wine grapes of Alentejo, and their styles?
Arinto, Antão Vaz, and Roupeiro produce fruity, floral wines with medium acidity and tropical or citrus flavors.
What is the largest Vinho Regional designation in Portugal?
Vinho Regional Alentejano, covering the expansive Alentejo region and offering flexibility in grape varieties and styles.
