Portugal Wine Laws

Question 1

Portugal Wine Laws

Answer 1

-Denominação de Origem Controlada

Question 2

Portuguese Wine Categories

Answer 2

Vinho
Indicação Geográfica Protegida (IGP)
Denominação de Origem Protegida (DOP)

Question 3

Vinho

Answer 3

• Wine without Geographical Indication
• Variety and vintage may appear on the label.
• table wine

Question 4

Indicação Geográfica Protegida (IGP)

Answer 4

• PGI Wines (Protected Geographical Indication)
• Vinho Regional
• lower, or less stringent, tier of quality wines in Portugal is the Indicação Geogràfica (IG)
• minimum 85% of grapes grown in the stated region

Question 5

Denominação de Origem Protegida (DOP)

Answer 5

-PDO Wines (Protected Designation of Origin)
-Denominação de Origem /
Denominação de Origem Controlada
-DOP is the superior classification

Question 6

fourteen IGPs in Portugal

Answer 6

As of 2011
Minho, 
Transmontano, 
Duriense, 
Terras do Dão, T
erras de Cister, 
Terras da Beira, 
Beira Atlântico, 
Tejo, 
Lisboa, 
Alentejano, 
Península de Setúbal, 
Algarve, 
Terras Madeirenses,
Açores

Question 7

Garrafeira

Answer 7

“private wine cellar”
Portuguese table wines may be labeled as garrafeira indicating a minimum period of aging prior to release.
wine of very high quality

Question 8

Tinto (red) garrafeira aging

Answer 8

must age for a minimum 30 months, including at least 12 months in bottle.

Question 9

Branco (white) and rosado garrafeira aging

Answer 9

wines must age for a minimum 12 months with at least 6 in bottle.

Question 10

The vintage garrafeira Port style as pioneered by Niepoort has a separate connotation:

Answer 10

following a few years’ aging in barrels, the Port is matured for a period of at least eight years in glass demijohns.

Question 11

Portugal: reserva traditional method sparkling wines

Answer 11

instead indicates a minimum period of 12 months on the lees prior to dégorgement

Question 12

Colheita Seleccionada

Answer 12

indicates a minimum 1% higher alcohol content than that established by the regional appellation

Question 13

Colheita

Answer 13

vintage

Question 14

Quinta

Answer 14

Winery/Estate

Question 15

Portugal location/climate

Answer 15

• rugged country that clings to the southwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula
• 350 miles long

Question 16

Portugal climate

Answer 16

-climate is impacted by its southern latitude and ocean influences

Question 17

Northern Portugal climate

Answer 17

• along the coastline conditions are temperate to warm, and generous rainfall make the landscape very lush and green.
• into the interior temperature rise and lands are more arid
• long and hot ripening periods
• vineyards planted on steep slopes with spare soils formed by mountain ranges or river valleys

Question 18

Southern Portugal climate

Answer 18

• not as mountainous or rugged
• much warmer
• hot mediterranean climate