Portugal

Question 1

Describe Portuguese wine laws.

Answer 1

PDO: DOP or DOC
PGI: IGP or Vinho Regional
Table wines: Vinho

Question 2

Describe the Vinho Verde DOC.

Answer 2

Moderate, maritime climate
High annual rainfall
Spur-pruned VSP used
Wine is pale lemon, high acid, low alcohol (usually off dry)

White grapes: Loureiro, Arinto, Alvarinho
Also makes some red wine

Question 3

Describe the Dao DOC.

Answer 3

Gentle hills and slopes
Cold, wet winter + warm, dry summer + high diurnal range

Red wines: High acid, soft tannins, red fruit
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro

White wines: Range of style

Question 4

Describe the Bairrada DOC.

Answer 4

Maritime climate
Rainy winters, warm summers

Grape: Baga - late ripening, small thick skin berries
Underripe - High acid, astringent tannins
Picked later - Soft, rich black fruit

Question 5

Describe the Alentejo DOC.

Answer 5

8 sub-regions
Warm growing season, but range of styles between sub-regions
Northern sub-regions: cool, wet, elegant wines
Center & southern sub-regions: hot, dry, rich wines

Red wines: Deep color, high but soft tannin, full body, ripe fruit
Aragones, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet
White wines: Fruity, floral, high acid, sometimes oaked

Question 6

Describe the Alentejano IGP (Vinho Regional).

Answer 6

Largest IGP in terms of productions
Region based on Alentejano DOC
Wider range of grapes used

Question 7

Describe the climate and grape growing of Portugal.

Answer 7

Range of climates
Most has maritime (Atlantic ocean)
Inland vineyards: hot, dry, continental
Altitude in some places helps temperature

Question 8

Describe the Douro DOC.

Answer 8

Oldest demarcated wine region in the world
Production dominated by Port, but unfortified wine also made

Grapes: Touriga Naccional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao

Red wines: Deep color, full body, high tannins, black fruit, often oak
White wines: Med-high acid, varietal fruit