Ch 31 - Portugal

Question 1

Climate of Portugal? What wines are produced throughout Portugal?

Answer 1

Varied - range of different climates. Large annual average temp differences - diversity of wines throughout Portugal.

Question 2

Most important influence in Portugal re climate?

Answer 2

Atlantic Ocean - most of the country has maritime climate

Question 3

What are the inland vineyards’ climate?

Answer 3

hot, dry continental

Question 4

What can mitigate hot temperatures in some regions?

Answer 4

Altitude

Question 5

What is the climate and most significant feature of climate in Vinho Verde?

Answer 5

Moderate maritime. Most significant feature is high annual rainfall.

Question 6

How do vineyards combat the high annual rainfall in Vinho Verde?

Answer 6

Careful canopy management - high levels of precipitation can lead to excessive growth and encourage disease. Moved away from pergola - spur pruned VSP creates airflow in humid environment and allows for mechanisation.

Question 7

What is the character of classic white Vinho Verde wine?

Answer 7

Pale lemon, high acidity, low alcohol. The lower alchol ones are usually off dry.

Question 8

What grapes are used for classic white Vinho Verde? What is their character?

Answer 8

Loureiro and Arinto. Have a slight sparkling sensation that enhances freshness.

Question 9

What is Vinho Verde Alvarinho made from? What are its characters?

Answer 9

Made from the Alvarinho grapes (aka albarino). HIgher alcohol and riper, more tropical aromas than Vinho Verde.

Question 10

What is the principal variety for unfortified wine in Duoro? What wines does it produce? Comment on Yields.

Answer 10

Touriga Nacional - low yields of grapes and produces wines with intense colour and flavours and high tannin.

Question 11

What are the red wines of the Duoro like?

Answer 11

Deeply coloured, full bodied with high ripe tannins and rich black fruit. Best display subtle toasty aromas from new oak.

Question 12

What is the climate like in Dao and how dies this impact grapes?

Answer 12

Lie between 200 to 400 m and have cold wet winters and warm dry summers with significant diurnality - excellent conditions for high quality grapes.

Question 13

What are red wines like from Dao?

Answer 13

Display delicate red fruit aromas, soft tannins and high acidity.

Question 14

What grapes are used for red wines in Dao?

Answer 14

Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen (aka Mencia) and Alfrocheiro.

Question 15

What wines does Alforcheiro make?

Answer 15

Deep in colour with intense aromas of blackberry and strawberry.

Question 16

What is the climate like in Bairrada and what are the challenges?

Answer 16

Maritime with rainy winters and warm summers. Rain around harvest can be an issue for late ripening varieties.

Question 17

What is the dominant black variety in Bairrada?

Answer 17

Late ripening with small thick skinned berries - wines deep in colour and high tannins. If underripe they can have high acid and astringent tannins but later picking gives wines with softer character and rich black fruit.

Question 18

What winemaking can give softer wines with the Baga grape?

Answer 18

Gentler crushing and maceration as well as blending with other varieties.

Question 19

What other grapes are important in Bairrada?

Answer 19

Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Cab Sav, Merlot Syrah.

Question 20

What is the climat like in Alentejo and what impacts does it have on the wines produced?

Answer 20

Warm growing season but small differences across the region allow range of different styles to be produced. Those in north where it is cooler and wetter give more elegant wines, those in hooter, drier centre and south are richer.

Question 21

What is a typical red blend from Alentejo made with?

Answer 21

Aragones (aka Tempranillo) and Trincadeira (drought toelrant, spicy red berry and high tannin. Alicante Bouschet is high in colour and tannin and is also used.

Question 22

What is Vinho Regional Alentejano?

Answer 22

Largest Vinho Regional (IGP) region in terms of production. More liberal winemaking regulations so can use wider range of grapes including international ones.