WINES OF THE WORLD 🇵🇹 Portugal Flashcards
Types of wines made in Portugal
More red than white, mainly unfortified. Also fortified wines. 99% of production from mainland.
Climate of Portugal
Atlantic influence to the W, cool and rainy. Inland areas has continental climate due to protection by mountains.
Type of soils in Portugal
Different soils: schist or granite on mountains, clay, limestone and sand on coastal area, also some alluvial soils around riverbanks.
Hazards in Portugal
Drought, especially in continental, inland regions. Risk of poor fruit set and fungal disease in the coastal regions due to the wet weather. Esca and European grapevine moth.
Main training systems in Portugal
Cordon or replacement-cane pruning, VSP trellised. Old vineyards are planted mixed (field blend wines), while now one variety or varietal blocks.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Portugal
Modernisation after the EU admission. Protective winemaking (stainless steel and temperature control) for whites. Destemming equipment has improved tannin extraction. Fermenting and foot-treading in lagares. Also clay vessels. Skin contact for premium whites.
Key maturation practices for wines in Portugal
Mainly French oak (some American).
Main sub-regions of Portugal
- Vinho Verde
- Douro
- Dão
- Bairrada
- Alentejo
- Lisboa
- Península de Setúbal
- Tejo
How many DOCs are in Portugal
31
How many VRs are in Portugal
14
Types of wines made in Vinho Verde
Mainly whites (81%), then reds (14%) and rosés (5%).
Climate of Vinho Verde
Moderate maritime, becoming more continental to the E. High rainfall.
Type of soils in Vinho Verde
Soils become poorer to the E. Granitic bedrock, shallow granite topsoil and sandy texture, low fertility.
Hazards in Vinho Verde
Fungal diseases (rot and mildew).
Main sub-regions of Vinho Verde
Monção and Melgaço.
Monção and Melgaço
Main sub-regions of Vinho Verde. High-quality wines from Alvarinho, lower max yields, alcohol 11.5+% abv, the only appellation to name Alvarinho as single variety on the label.
Main training systems in Vinho Verde
Traditionally, vines trained up trees. Now single or double Guyot with VSP, or lyre system.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Vinho Verde
Protective methods and cool fermentation in stainless steel. Mainly cultured yeasts. Old oak fermentation by smaller producers.
Key maturation practices for wines in Vinho Verde
No ageing for inexpensive wines. Oak ageing and on the lees by smaller producers.
Finishing operations for wines in Vinho Verde
Possibility of CO2 for inexpensive wines to give a light spritz.
Types of businesses that operate in Vinho Verde
Small vineyard holdings (0.1 ha). Most growers send grapes to co-operatives and merchants, a small amount produces their own wines. Anselmo Mendes and Quinta de Soalheiro as significant producers.
Types of wines made in the Douro
Douro wines are usually blends of grape varieties (single from Touriga Nacional or Tinta Roriz). Mainly reds. Possibility from field blends of old vines. 25% whites. Small volume of rosés. 30% DOC are Douro wines. Also fortified.
Type of soils in the Douro
Schist bedrock (vertical layers) and shallow topsoil of decomposed schist, low organic, stony texture. Some flatter land in the Douro Superior.
Climate of Douro
Warm continental. Protection from the cooler and damper influence of Atlantic by Serra do Marão. Baixo Corgo is the coolest and the wettest (rainfall 900 mm), Cima Corgo is warmer and drier (rainfall 700 mm), and Douro Superior is hot and arid (rainfall 450 mm). Huge range of microclimates due to a variety of aspects and altitudes.
Hazards in the Douro
Risk of drought. Hail and storms. Spring frost, downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot.
Main grape varieties of Douro
Some are the same used in the Port production, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão. Sousão. Viosinho, Rabigato, Gouveio and Moscatel Galego Branco.
Main training systems in the Douro
Cordon-trained and spur-pruned or head-trained and cane-pruned, VSP trellised. Some old bush vines.
Harvest for wines from the Douro
Mainly hand harvest, from the Douro Superior to the Baixo Corgo. High vintage variation.
Key winemaking operations for red wines in the Douro
Destemming to avoid additional tannins. Stainless steel at lower temperature than usual reds. Some producers use lagares (fermentation) to have more control over the extraction level. Early drinking wines are pressed off the skins after the fermentation.
Key winemaking operations for white wines in the Douro
Cool fermentation in stainless steel, no or short ageing. Premium whites from old vines, oak fermentation/maturation.
Key winemaking operations for rosé wines in the Douro
Short maceration.
Key maturation practices for wines in the Douro
Large oak vessels (Portuguese or French), some use barriques.
Main sub-regions of Douro
Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.
Types of businesses that operate in the Douro
Small vineyard holdings. Prats & Symington and Quinta do Vale Meão as significant producers. Many Port producers make Douro wines. 23 co-operatives.
Types of wines made in Dão
80% reds. Mainly blended but also single varietal (Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz for more structured wines, Jaen in a fruity and early drinking style as well as Alfrocheiro).
Climate of Dão
Mediterranean, very high rainfall (autumn and winter). Protection by the mountains from cool maritime on the W and arid conditions from the E and S.
Hazards in Dão
Risk of drought. Water stress during ripening, hail during summers. Wildfires (2017). Spring frost in flat plans.
Main grape varieties of Dão
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Encruzado.
Main training systems in Dão
Double or single Guyot, cordon-trained, VSP trellised. Some old bush vines.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Dão
Short maceration to avoid astringent wines. Carbonic maceration for Jaen as single varietal.
Whites in neutral vessels or oak (according to the final style).
Types of businesses that operate in Dão
Small vineyard holdings, a lot of grape growers. 90% has less than 0.5 ha. Sogrape at all price points. Some quality-focused private companies. Vinha Paz and Quinta da Pellada as significant producers.
Types of wines made in Bairrada
Mainly reds from Baga. 10% sparkling from local grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (lead producer in Portugal). VR is used by those who have vineyards outside DOC or some that objected to the extension of the DOC to international varieties (Luis Pato and Filipa Pato).
Climate of Bairrada
Maritime, quite high rainfall (800-1200 mm) mainly spring and autumn.
Main grape varieties of Bairrada
Baga. Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires), Bical, Arinto, Cercial.
Type of soils in Bairrada
Fertile alluvial soils in the W and limestone-clay slopes. Light-coloured soils in Cantanhede.
Main training systems in Bairrada
Historically, high training of staked bushed vines. Now, Guyot with VSP. Some old bush vines.
Key winemaking operations for red wines in Bairrada
In the past, fermentation on stems. Now, destemming but some use whole bunch or stems. Mixed types of vessels (stainless steel, concrete, lagares).
Key winemaking operations for white wines in Bairrada
Cool fermentation in stainless steel for inexpensive wines, while premium can stay in oak.
Key maturation practices for red wines in Bairrada
Large barrels of French oak. Traditional producers use large toneis (Portuguese oak or Brazilian hardwood). Others use foudres from French, Italian or Austrian oak.
Types of businesses that operate in Bairrada
2,000 growers, both co-operatives and merchants. Quinta das Bágeiras and Filipa Pato & William Wouters as significant producers.
Type of soils in Dão
Granite with sandy or loamy texture, low organic, free draining.
Types of wines made in Alentejo
Mainly blend, single varietal are the exception. From inexpensive and fruity to super-premium and concentrated.
Soft and ripe style.
Climate of Alentejo
Mediterranean, higher temperature inland. Adequate rainfall, lower in the S (500 mm) than N (800 mm), mainly autumn and winter.
Type of soils in Alentejo
Granite, schist and limestone with texture from sand to clay.
Main grape varieties of Alentejo
75% blacks. Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional. Syrah. Roupeiro, Arinto and Antão Vaz.
Main training systems in Alentejo
Double cordon with VSP (replacement-cane is declining). Old bush vines.
Main appellations within Alentejo
- Alentejo DOC
- Vinho de Talha DOC
- Alentejano VR
Alentejo DOC
Appellation within Alentejo. Eight non-contiguous sub-regions. Alto Alentejo is less hot and dry, Portalegre has vineyards over 800 m (fresh fruit and high acidity) of smaller dimensions, old field blend vineyards.
Types of businesses that operate in Alentejo
Appellation within Alentejo. Many estates with large, relatively young, vineyard holdings. Fast growth of wineries in the last 30 years. Cartuxa and Mouchão as significant producers.
Vinho de Talha DOC
Appellation within Alentejo. 2010, wines fermented on skins in talha (amphora).
Alentejano VR
Appellation within Alentejo. For producers sourcing grapes outside DOC.
Climate of Lisboa
Wet weather and strong winds to the W. More protection for the E.
Hazards in Lisboa
Poor fruit set and fungal diseases.
Main grape varieties of Lisboa
Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Arinto, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling.
Main appellations within Lisboa
- Alenquer DOC
- Bucelas DOC
- Colares DOC
- Lisboa VR
Alenquer DOC
Appellation within Lisboa. E side, full bodied wines from Touriga Nacional and Aragonez.
Bucelas DOC
Appellation within Lisboa. E side, high acid wines from Arinto (75+%), stainless steel or oak and/or lees contact.
Colares DOC
Appellation within Lisboa. Lisbon’s suburb, ungrafted old bush vines.
Lisboa VR
Majority of the production, more flexibility about regulations and the name Lisboa is more recognisable.
Type of soils in Península de Setúbal
Clay-limestone on the mountains, sand on flat plain and more clay and schist inland.
Climate of Península de Setúbal
Mediterranean.
Hazards in Península de Setúbal
Poor fruit set and fungal diseases.
Main grape varieties of Península de Setúbal
Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Fernão Pires, Moscatel and Arinto.
Main appellations within Península de Setúbal
- Palmela DOC
- Setúbal DOC
- Península de Setúbal VR
Palmela DOC
Appellation within Península de Setúbal. Red wines from 67+% Castelão, oak ageing, concentrated wines from sandy-plain vineyards while lighter from the slopes.
Setúbal DOC
Appellation within Península de Setúbal. Sweet fortified wines from Moscatel varieties.
Península de Setúbal VR
Larger area, less regulations, no limit for Castelão.
Type of soils in Lisboa
Clay-limestone (W).
Climate of Tejo
Mediterranean, adequate rainfall (750 mm).
Type of soils in Tejo
Clay-limestone and schist in the N, fertile alluvial soils around the river, poor and sandy soils in the S.
Main grape varieties of Tejo
Trincadeira, Castelão, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon. Fernão Pires, Arinto, Alvarinho, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Types of wines made in Tejo
In the past, high volumes of inexpensive wines. From the accession to the EU, rise in quality. Considerable production of wine without a geographical indication. Reds from N, whites from centre and mix from S. Mainly fruity and early drinking style.
Famous Portuguese Rosé wines launched during the 1940s
Mateus (1942) and Lancers (1944)
Toneis
Very large vessels used in the past in Portugal, with a capacity of 3000-6000 L.
Foudres
Large barrels used for the ageing of Portuguese wine, with a capacity of 2000-2500 L.
The largest wine company in Portugal
Sogrape
The minimum alcohol level of Vinho Verde wines that do not mention the sub-region on the label
8% abv
The minimum alcohol level of Vinho Verde wines that do mention the sub-region on the label
9% abv
The minimum alcohol level of single varietal Alvarinho from Monção e Melgaço
11.5% abv
Which white grape varieties are frequently used in white Douro wines
Moscatel Galego Branco, Gouveio, Rabigato, Viosinho.
Types of businesses that operate in Portugal
Small holdings. In the past, growers sent their grapes to co-operatives and negociants. Now, negociants acquired vineyards to increase their quality, decrease of co-operatives, rise in small-winemakers. Large brands who own many wineries in different regions (Sogrape).
Main vineyard layouts in the Douro
Socalcos, patamares and vinha ao alto.
Socalcos
One of the vineyard layouts in the Douro. The traditional method, narrow terraces supported by walls of dry rock. Allow planting densities of around 6,000 vines per hectare. No mechanisation (no considered for new vineyards). Protected by UNESCO (cannot be converted to any other layouts). Low densities to allow the entry of small tractor.
Patamares
One of the vineyard layouts in the Douro. Terraces supported by a steep earth ramp. Small tractors are able to run up and down the slopes by the use of tracks. Cheaper to implement and maintain than socalcos. Erosion and the growth of weeds on the ramps can be a problem. Low planting densities (3,000-3,500 vines per hectare). Two types:
- large – two rows of vine on each terrace, original form (large and bulky bulldozers), efficient use of vineyard land, uneven ripeness can be an issue (exterior row gains more sun);
- narrow patamares that only support one row of vines – modern technology to create them (small bulldozers and laser), often tilted very slightly towards the slope and also from one side of the terrace to the other, so improving water absorption and drainage and reduce erosion, no problem with ripeness.
Vinha ao Alto
One of the vineyard layouts in the Douro. Vines are planted in vertical rows up the slopes. The least expensive option to plant and maintain and allows for relatively high-density planting (5,000 vines per hectare). No mechanisation above 40% incline (patamares in this case). Water run-off and erosion can be significant problems. The use of this layout is very limited.
When irrigation is possible in the Douro
Irrigation when hydric stress jeopardises quality and the vineyard is in an area where irrigation is authorised must be notified to IVDP (before only in extreme circumstances).
Key maturation practices for wines in Dão
Short ageing to avoid astringent wines. Possibility of lees stirring for whites.
Differences between wines from Douro and Dão
Wines from Dão are less full bodied and intense than those from Douro, which result in fresher flavours and higher acidity.
Hazards in Alentejo
Risk of drought.
