Portugal - WSET L3 in Wines

Question 1

What is the primary climate influence in Portugal?

Answer 1

The Atlantic Ocean, creating a maritime climate in coastal areas, while inland regions experience hot, dry, and continental climates.

Question 2

What are the key wine classifications in Portugal?

Answer 2

PDO (Denominação de Origem Protegida) and PGI (Indicação Geográfica Protegida).

Question 3

What is the traditional term for PDO in Portugal?

Answer 3

Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC).

Question 4

What is the traditional term for PGI in Portugal?

Answer 4

Vinho Regional.

Question 5

What styles of wine does Portugal produce?

Answer 5

A range of styles, including fresh whites, full-bodied reds, rosés, fortified wines (Port), and sparkling wines.

Question 6

Where is Vinho Verde located?

Answer 6

In the northwest of Portugal, near the Atlantic Ocean.

Question 7

What is the climate of Vinho Verde?

Answer 7

Moderate maritime with high rainfall, requiring careful canopy management.

Question 8

What are the key white grape varieties in Vinho Verde?

Answer 8

Loureiro, Arinto, and Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain).

Question 9

What are the characteristics of classic white Vinho Verde wines?

Answer 9

Pale lemon-colored, high acidity, low alcohol (8–11.5%), often with a slight sparkling sensation.

Question 10

How does Vinho Verde Alvarinho differ from classic Vinho Verde?

Answer 10

Made from 100% Alvarinho in the sub-region Monção e Melgaço, with higher alcohol (11.5–14%) and tropical aromas.

Question 11

Where is the Douro region located?

Answer 11

80 km east of Porto, stretching to the Spanish border.

Question 12

What is the primary focus of wine production in the Douro?

Answer 12

Fortified wines (Port), but also high-quality unfortified red and white wines.

Question 13

What are the key red grape varieties in the Douro?

Answer 13

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cão.

Question 14

What are the characteristics of Douro red wines?

Answer 14

Deeply colored, full-bodied, high tannins, with rich black fruit flavors and subtle oak aromas.

Question 15

What style of white wines is produced in the Douro?

Answer 15

Fresh, varietal-driven whites with medium to high acidity, often from high-altitude vineyards.

Question 16

Where is the Dão region located?

Answer 16

In a mountainous area 80 km south of the Douro.

Question 17

What is the climate of Dão?

Answer 17

Cold, wet winters and warm, dry summers with significant diurnal temperature variation.

Question 18

What are the characteristics of Dão red wines?

Answer 18

Delicate red fruit aromas, high acidity, soft tannins, and subtle oak influence.

Question 19

What are the key red grape varieties in Dão?

Answer 19

Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Jaen (Mencía), and Alfrocheiro.

Question 20

What is the primary white grape variety in Dão?

Answer 20

Encruzado, producing fresh and barrel-aged styles.

Question 21

Where is the Bairrada region located?

Answer 21

Between Dão and the Atlantic Ocean.

Question 22

What is the climate of Bairrada?

Answer 22

Maritime, with rainy winters and warm summers.

Question 23

What is the dominant red grape variety in Bairrada?

Answer 23

Baga, a late-ripening variety with thick skins.

Question 24

What are the characteristics of Baga wines?

Answer 24

Deep color, high tannins, with black fruit flavors when ripe or astringent if underripe.

Question 25

What white grape varieties are grown in Bairrada?

Answer 25

Bical and Maria Gomes, producing fresh, aromatic wines.

Question 26

Where is Alentejo located?

Answer 26

In the southeast of Portugal, covering eight sub-regions.

Question 27

What is the climate of Alentejo?

Answer 27

Warm, with cooler areas in the north and hotter, drier conditions in the south.

Question 28

What are the primary red grape varieties in Alentejo?

Answer 28

Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, and Touriga Nacional.

Question 29

What are the characteristics of Alentejo red wines?

Answer 29

Deeply colored, full-bodied, with soft tannins and ripe fruit flavors.

Question 30

What are the primary white grape varieties in Alentejo?

Answer 30

Arinto, Antão Vaz, and Roupeiro, producing fruity and floral wines.

Question 31

Where is the Lisboa region located?

Answer 31

Along the Atlantic coast, north of Lisbon.

Question 32

What is the climate of Lisboa?

Answer 32

Maritime, with cooling Atlantic winds moderating temperatures.

Question 33

Where is the Tejo region located?

Answer 33

Inland, around the Tagus River in central Portugal.

Question 34

What is Vinho Regional?

Answer 34

A PGI category allowing more flexibility in grape varieties and winemaking practices than DOC wines.

Question 35

What does “Vinho” refer to in Portuguese wine classification?

Answer 35

Vinho is the most basic classification, often without geographical indication or strict regulations, and includes simple, everyday wines.

Question 36

What is the climate of Dão, and how does altitude affect its wines?

Answer 36

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.

Question 37

What is Alfrocheiro, and where is it grown?

Answer 37

Alfrocheiro is a red grape variety grown in Dão, producing deep color wines with black and red fruit.

Question 38

Where is Alicante Bouschet grown, and what are its characteristics?

Answer 38

Prominent in Alentejo, Alicante Bouschet produces deeply colored, full-bodied wines with bold tannins and ripe black fruit flavors.

Question 39

What are the main white wine grapes of Alentejo, and their styles?

Answer 39

Arinto, Antão Vaz, and Roupeiro produce fruity, floral wines with medium acidity and tropical or citrus flavors.

Question 40

What is the largest Vinho Regional designation in Portugal?

Answer 40

Vinho Regional Alentejano, covering the expansive Alentejo region and offering flexibility in grape varieties and styles.