Southern Portugal - Palmela

Answer 1

Topography

Inland from sea town of Palmela, 30kms south west of Lisboa; between Tejo and Sado rivers.

• Limestone soils in the hills and sand on the plains.

Climate

• Warm maritime climate with warm summers & mild winters.

Answer 2

Reds

1. Periquita aka Castelao
2. • Vine that thrives in sandy soils but can adapt to various conditions
3. • Many styles from medium to full bodied wines, rosés & sparkling - Most planted red variety; mainly found in south coast regions

Others: Cabernet Sauvignon, Alfrocheiro

Answer 3

Whites

1. Fernao Pires

• Most planted white grape in Portugal
• Does well in relatively warm climates with large volumes of simple, honeyed,

slightly spicy dry whites

Others: Muscat of Alexandria, Arinto

Answer 4

10,000ha. Vines mostly low trained on wires to allow for mechanisation.

Winemaking/Styles

• Stainless steel and temperature control now widely used.
• Region known for its Moscatel de Setubal dessert wines but recent move to dry red and white unfortified.

Production

• 0.4m hl/yr including dessert wines.

• Key producers:
o Bacalhoa (ex JP vinhos) – 13m btls/yr

• Founded by ex Fonseca
• Mass producing winery with atypical and typical wines from mass market to elite wines.
• *oFonseca** – 12m btls/yr
• Family company that originally produced old fortified Setubal Muscat and diversified into excellent wines in all price categories
• *oSanto Isidro cooperative** – 8m btls
• Exemplary good cooperative with fruity red wines with fine barrique nuances.
• *oCasa Ermelinda Freitas** – 2m btls
• Family-run winery with oaked-aged Chardonnay and Moscatel (stocked by Laithwaites in the UK)