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WSET Level 4 D5: Fortified Wine > 3.1: Port - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing > Flashcards

3.1: Port - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the Douro region located?

A

north east of Portugal

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2
Q

How big is the Douro region? How much is planted vineyards? How much is registered for DO Porto?

A
  • total area covers 250,000 ha,
  • 43,500 ha are planted
  • 32,000 ha register for DO Porto (the production of Port wines)
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3
Q

What is the climate?

A
  • warm continental climate
  • temperatures easily reaching 40°C in the summer
  • freezing temperatures not unusual in the winter
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4
Q

What is the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra do Marão?

A
  • distance from the Atlantic Ocean
  • shelter from the Serra do Marão to the west of the region
  • vineyard area is much warmer and drier than the cities of Porto and Vila Nova di Gaia on the coast (70km from the western end of the vineyard area)
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5
Q

Where is the vineyard area located?

A

follows the path of the River Douro

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6
Q

What are the 3 sub-regions?

A
  1. Baixo Corgo
  2. Cima Corgo
  3. Douro Superior
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7
Q

What is the most westerly of the regions?

A

Baixo Corgo

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8
Q

What is the coolest and wettest of the regions? Why? How much rainfall?

A
  • Baixo Corgo
  • 900mm rainfall per annum
  • nearest the cold Atlantic coast
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9
Q

For what types of Ports does Baixo Corgo grow? Why?

A
  • many of the inexpensive Ruby and Tawny Port

- cooler climate

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10
Q

What is the climate of Cima Corgo? How much rainfall per year?

A
  • warmer and drier

- 700mm rainfall per annum

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11
Q

For what types of Ports does Cima Corgo grow? Why?

A
  • Age-Indicated Tawny Port and Vintage Ports
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12
Q

Which region is furthest from the coast? What is the climate? How much rainfall per year? What is a frequent issue?

A
  • Douro Superior
  • hottest and driest sub region
  • 450mm rainfall per annum
  • drought is a frequent issue
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13
Q

How is the Douro Superior planted?

A
  • still relatively sparsely planted, plantings are increasing
  • contains some flatter land
  • allows mechanisation
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14
Q

What provides a range of microclimates?

A

the winding River Douro and its tributaries

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15
Q

Why can there be differences in average temperature and sunlight exposure even within a single vineyard?

A

vineyard sites vary widely in altitude and aspect

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16
Q

Describe the soils? What is the impact on vigour?

A
  • stony, shallow soils
  • free-draining
  • poor in nutrients
  • limits vigour
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17
Q

What is the underlying bedrock composed of? Describe the soil.

A
  • schist

- a type of rock that crumbles into layers relatively easily

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18
Q

What does the schist mean for the vines ability to take root?

A
  • ancient tectonic movements caused schist to split into vertical layers (rather than the more typical horizontal)
  • therefore vine roots are able to penetrate deep into the bedrock to find water
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19
Q

Is irrigation permitted?

A
  • only permitted in exceptional circumstances

- for example, periods of drought under which the vine could be in extreme hydric stress

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20
Q

Why is the schist so important to this region?

A
  • what little natural water there is, is the main source of water for the vine
  • schist allows the viability of grape growing in this region
  • the boundary of the demarcated Port region mostly follows the outline of the schist
  • very difficult for vines to survive if planted above the impenetrable granite bedrock that is common in the wider area
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21
Q

What is the typical topography of the region?

A

steep slopes of the Douro Valley (many with gradients over 30%) mean that viable vineyard layouts are limited

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22
Q

What are the 3 types of vineyard layouts?

A
  1. Socalcos
  2. Patamares
  3. Vinha ao Alto
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23
Q

What is the traditional method of vineyard layout?

A

Socalcos

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24
Q

Describe the Socalcos layout.

A

narrow terraces, supported by walls of dry rock

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25
Q

What planting densities does the Socalcos layout allow for?

A

6,000 vines per hectare

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26
Q

Is the Socalcos layout suitable for mechanisation?

A

typically not suitable

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27
Q

Why is the Socalcos layout typically not considered when planting a new vineyard?

A
  • not suitable for mechanisation

- labour required to maintain walls

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28
Q

Why can’t the current Socalcos be converted to another layout?

A

protected by UNESCO

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29
Q

What can be done in the Socalcos layout to allow for some degree of mechanisation?

A

vines on the socalcos can be planted at lower densities to allow for a small tractor to enter the terraces to reduce so much need for labour

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30
Q

Describe the Patamares layout.

A

terraces supported by a steep earth ramp, rather than a stone wall

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31
Q

Is the Patamares layout suitable for mechanisation?

A
  • yes

- small tractors run up and down slopes by the use of tracks that run diagonally up the slope

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32
Q

What are the pros of Patamares compared to Socalcos? Cons?

A
  • Pros: cheaper to implement and maintain

- Cons: erosion and the growth of weeds on the ramps can be problematic

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33
Q

What planting densities does the Patamares layout allow for? Why?

A
  • relatively low, around 3,000 to 3,500 vines per hectare

- ramps take up a lot of space

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34
Q

What are the 2 kinds of Patamares?

A
  1. Large, wide patamares that support two rows of vines on each terrace
  2. Narrow patamares that only support one row of vines
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35
Q

Which of the 2 kinds of Patamares was the original? Why was it constructed? What are the pros and cons?

A
  • large, wide patamares that support two rows of vines on each terrace
  • constructed when the bulldozers that create the terraces were large and bulky
  • Pros: two rows makes efficient use of vineyard land
  • Cons: uneven ripeness can be an issue, with the exterior row of vines gaining more sun exposure
36
Q

Which of the 2 kinds of Patamares is more modern? Why was it constructed? What are the pros?

A
  • narrow patamares that only support one row of vines
  • carved by newer, smaller bulldozers and often laser technology ensuring precise construction
  • often tilted very slightly towards the slope and also from one side of the terrace to the other
Pros: 
- improve water absorption and drainage
- reduce erosion
- uneven ripeness is less of a problem
Cons:
- less efficient use of vineyard land than the other method
37
Q

Describe the Vinha ao Alto layout.

A

vines are planted in vertical rows up the slopes

38
Q

What are the pros of Vinha ao Alto? Cons?

A

Pros:

  • least expensive option to plant and maintain
  • allows for relatively high-density planting
  • efficient use of land

Cons:

  • above a 40% incline, mechanisation cannot be used
  • water run-off
  • erosion
39
Q

What planting densities does the Vinha ao Alto layout allow for?

A

5,000 vines per hectare

40
Q

How are the vines trained and pruned?

A
  • cordon-trained and spur-pruned

- head-trained and cane-pruned

41
Q

How are the vines trellised? Why?

A

VSP trellised

- to promote even sun exposure and ripening, and allow for mechanisation where viable

42
Q

Is summer pruning carried out? Why or why not?

A
  • yes
  • e.g. leaf removal
  • to ensure sun exposure throughout the growing season, especially for late-ripening varieties
43
Q

What rootstocks are typically used? Why?

A
  • generally 110R and 1103P
  • both hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri
  • tolerant of drought
44
Q

What are the key focuses when replanting vineyards?

A
  • increasing vine density
  • vineyard layouts that allow mechanisation
  • selecting best planting material (grape variety, rootstock etc.) for that area of land (this may even mean planting different grape varieties on the same terrace).
45
Q

What is the maximum yield permitted? What are yields more likely to be around? Why?

A
  • max: 55hl/ha
  • more likely: 30hl/ha
  • due to limited water availability, and, in some years, the hazards and diseases
46
Q

What are the main weather hazards?

A
  • late spring frosts in the highest altitude vineyards

- in some years cool, wet weather from the west during the early summer, which disrupts flowering and fruit set

47
Q

What are the main disease hazards? How are these combatted?

A
  • downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot can be issues, especially in the wetter Baixo Corgo
  • combatted by canopy management techniques and spraying with fungicides
48
Q

What may be used to improve the poor nutrient status of the soil?

A

Fertilisers

49
Q

What may be required to control weeds that grow on the slopes of the patamares? Why?

A

Herbicides

- weeds compete with the vines for water and nutrients

50
Q

If there is enough space, what might be used for weeds instead of hericides?

A

small mower

51
Q

What role do cover crops play?

A

may be grown on vinha ao alto slopes

  • prevent erosion
  • improve soil structure and nutrition
  • reduce the presence of weeds
52
Q

What is on the rise in the region?

A

number of the largest growers and producers are increasingly farming using sustainable or organic techniques where and when it is possible to do so

53
Q

How is harvesting carried out? Why?

A
  • by hand

- much of the vineyard topography is not suitable for machine harvesters

54
Q

What is a growing problem in finding labor for hand harvesting?

A
  • an ageing regional population (and continuing depopulation) is fast catching up with growers who each year face increasing difficulty in finding enough people to pick
55
Q

What is the largest single grower in the region?

A

Symington Family Estates

56
Q

What has Symington Family Estates developed?

A

been developing (since 2015) a suitable machine harvester to ensure that, if labour sourcing becomes too difficult, they will still be able to harvest their fruit

57
Q

Where does the harvest start? End?

A

tends to start in the Douro Superior and end in the Baixo Corgo

58
Q

How long does harvesting last? Why?

A
  • can be spread over several weeks
  • various microclimates within the valley, the use of different grapes and the prevalence of hand-harvesting (relatively slow)
59
Q

How many grape varieties are permitted for the production of Port?

A

over 100 grape varieties

60
Q

What are the 5 prescribed varieties that have been the focus of replanting efforts and clonal research since the 1980s?

A
  1. Touriga Franca
  2. Tinta Roriz
  3. Tinta Barroca
  4. Touriga Nacional
  5. Tinto Cão
61
Q

How are many vineyards in the Douro planted?

A

with a field blend

62
Q

What types of varieties are producers looking for outside of the prescribed 5?

A
  • varieties that can valuable contributions to the blend such as colour and acidity
  • maintaining the diversity of indigenous plantings and investigating their future potential, with the effects of climate change particularly in mind
63
Q

Name the most important black varieties.

A
  1. Touriga Franca
  2. Tinta Roriz
  3. Tinta Barroca
  4. Touriga Nacional
  5. Tinta Amarela
  6. Tinto Cão
  7. Sousão
64
Q

Name the most important white varieties.

A
  1. Malvasia Fina

2. Moscatel Galego Branco

65
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Touriga Franca. Where is it most suitable for growing?

A
  • late ripening (suitable for warmest sites - low altitude, south-facing)
  • tight bunches of thick-skinned grapes ( pretty resistant to fungal diseases)
  • vigorous (managed - summer pruning)
66
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Touriga Franca.

A
  • contributes colour, tannin and acidity

- juicy red and black fruit flavours and floral aromas to a blend

67
Q

What is by far the most grown variety?

A

Touriga Franca

68
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Tinta Roriz. Where is it most suitable for growing?

A
  • early ripening (best for relatively cool site)
  • can suffer from water stress
  • capable of producing high yields (must be limited otherwise the wines can lack concentration)
69
Q

What are other names for Tinta Roriz?

A
  • Tempranillo in Spain

- Aragonez elsewhere in Portugal

70
Q

What does Tinta Roriz add to a blend?

A
  • body

- deep colour

71
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Tinta Barroca. Where is it most suitable for growing?

A
  • early ripening variety (coolest sites - high altitude or north-facing slopes, generally in the Baixo Corgo and Cima Corgo)
  • prone to heat damage and grape shrivelling
  • capable of producing high yields
72
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Tinta Barroca.

A
  • not as floral as some of the other grapes
  • more earthy flavors
  • unless planted in the coolest sites, it can lack acidity
  • colour also tends to fade more quickly than wines from Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca
73
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Touriga Nacional.

A
  • mid-ripening variety
  • thick-skinned grapes
  • excess vegetative vigour (managed through summer pruning)
  • susceptible to coulure (can lower its yields substantially and cause vine imbalance)
74
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Touriga Nacional.

A
  • deep colour intensity
  • high levels of tannins
  • retains acidity well
  • displays concentrated flavours of black fruit and floral aromas
  • long ageing potential
  • often a component of the premium, long-matured wines
75
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Tinta Amarela.

A
  • tight bunches of grapes (prone to fungal disease)
76
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Tinta Amarela.

A
  • full-bodied wines
  • concentrated black fruits and spicy notes
  • approachable in youth
  • capable of ageing
77
Q

What is another name for Tinta Amarela?

A

Trincadeira in other parts of Portugal

78
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Tinto Cão.

A
  • late ripening
  • low yielding
  • heat tolerant
  • small thick-skinned grapes (resistant to fungal disease)
79
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Tinto Cao.

A
  • concentrated wines
  • high acidity
  • capacity to age well
80
Q

Describe the growing characteristics of Sousão.

A
  • thick skinned
81
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Sousão.

A
  • deep intensity of colour

- ability to retain high levels of acidity

82
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Malvasia Fina.

A
  • Boal in Madeira
  • neutral wines
  • medium acidity
  • full body
  • slightly honeyed characteristic
83
Q

Describe the flavors and structure of Moscatel Galego Branco.

A
  • Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
  • aromatic grape
  • in Port production, often used for unaged styles
84
Q

From what grapes are the vast majority of Port wines made? Why?

A

a blend of all stated varieties

Why:

  • to make use of their differing characteristics and reduce vintage variation (e.g. cool, wet years may disrupt some grape varieties more than others)
  • a number of vineyards are made up of a mix of grape varieties (field blend)
85
Q

What effect does a field blend have on the wine?

A

as the various grape varieties planted in the Douro have different ripening times, a field blend can provide a different character to blocks of different varieties that are all picked at optimum ripeness and then blended

86
Q

What is generally a key part of the blend in premium and super-premium Port wines?

A

fruit from old vines (vinha velha)

WSET Level 4 D5: Fortified Wine (23 decks)

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