Hist, Geo, Climate

Question 1

What led to greater trade with Portugal and influenced the beginnings of Port production

Answer 1

Hostilities with France

This led to a ban on French wines in the 17th century

Question 2

In what year was port ‘discovered’

Answer 2

1678

Question 3

How was port discovered

Answer 3

An Abbott was adding brandy to wine before the end of fermentation to produce a sweet wine.

Question 4

What influenced the first regulation of port

Answer 4

People were adding elderberry juice/sugar to stretch wine
English merchants complained
Port shippers involved the prime minister, which led to regulation

Question 5

Where is the Douro located

Answer 5

North Portugal, 100km east of Oporto

Question 6

The best ports are from what altitudes

Answer 6

Below 300m

Question 7

What protects the Douro region from the influence of the Atlantic

Answer 7

Serra do Marao mountains (in the northwest)

Question 8

What are the 3 sub-regions of the Douro

Answer 8

Baixo Corgo
Cima Corgo
Douro Superior

Question 9

Where is the Baixo Corgo located

Answer 9

The lower part of the valley, closest to Oporto and the sea

Question 10

Where is the Cima Corgo located

Answer 10

The middle section

Question 11

Where is the Douro Superior locates

Answer 11

Closest to the border with Spain

Question 12

What is the main town of the Baixo Corgo

Answer 12

Régua

Question 13

What kind of vineyards are in Baixo Corgo

What ports are produced here

Answer 13

Lower graded vineyards (intensely planted)

Basic ports: Ruby, tawny and white

Question 14

Which region produces the best ports

Answer 14

Cima Corgo

Question 15

Name an A graded Quinta in Cima Corgo

Answer 15

Quinta do Noval (owned by AXA)

Question 16

What is the main town in Cima Corgo

Answer 16

Pinhão

Question 17

Which of the 3 areas of the Douro is least planted and why

Answer 17

Douro Superior

Remote and used to be inaccessible

Question 18

Name a grade A Quinta in Douro Superior

Answer 18

Quinta do Vesuvio (owned by Symington)

Question 19

What is the climate of the Douro and Oporto

Answer 19

Oporto- Mediterranean (getting warmer from west to east)

Douro- continental

Question 20

What weather challenges does the region face

Answer 20

Heavy rain in spring/autumn
Hail in summer/autumn
Insufficient water

Question 21

Which are the most common soils of the Douro

Answer 21

Schist

Granite

Question 22

Which soil type is less desirable and attracts penalty points under the cadastro grading system

Answer 22

Granite

Question 23

What is the advantage of schist

Answer 23

The strata are aligned vertically and break easily allowing vine roots to penetrate downwards

Question 24

What is the physical disadvantage of granite

Answer 24

It is hard so produces shallow soils

Question 25

Which system graded the vineyards

Answer 25

Cadastro

Question 26

What is the annual authorisation from the cadastro system called

Answer 26

The beneficio

Question 27

Douro viticulture is dominated by small or large farms?

Answer 27

Small

Question 28

Where are larger plots more likely to be found

Answer 28

Douro Superior