Portugal - Dao

Question 1

Climate of Dao?

Answer 1

Warm Mediterranean

(Same as Alentejo)

Mild winters and warm summers

Question 2

Rainfall in Dao?

Answer 2

High rainfall but it mostly falls in autumn and winter

Question 3

Topography of Dao (3)

Answer 3

Mixture hills, valleys and mountain sides

Most vineyards are between 400-500m

Some as high as 900m

(High diurnal range due to these moderating influences)

Question 4

Soils in Dao?

Answer 4

Decomposed granite with Sandy texture and low organic matter

(Free draining so water stress can be an issue)

Question 5

Hazards in spring and summer? (2)

Answer 5

Spring frosts at lower levels

Hail during summer

Question 6

Trellising in Dao? (2)

Answer 6

Old vineyards bush vine

New vineyards Guyot single or double

Question 7

Harvest size issues?

Answer 7

Weather affects harvest size massively

Question 8

4 red grapes of Dao?

Answer 8

Jaen (Mencia)
Touriga Nacional
Tinta Roritz
Alfrocheiro

Question 9

2 fuller bodied red grapes of Dao?

Answer 9

Touriga Nacional

Tinta Roriz

Both deep colour and full bodied with tannins med+ to high

Question 10

The 2 medium bodied grapes of Dao? (2)

Answer 10

Jaen (Mencia)

Alfrocheiro

Both can be made or blended to make an early drinking style

Both can lend ripe fruit flavours to blends and to soften

Question 11

Oak use in Dao?

Answer 11

Common but less new oak is being used

Question 12

Main white grape in Dao?

Answer 12

Encruzado

Question 13

Encruzado tasting note? (5)

Answer 13

Medium-medium plus acid
Full bodied
Lemon, peach and sometimes floral notes
Oak flavours common
Lees flavours and texture

Similar to chardonnay

Question 14

Dao % production exported?

Answer 14

15-20%