Portugal

Question 1

What are the main climatic influences in Portugal’s wine regions?

Answer 1

• Atlantic Ocean – cool, wet influence in coastal regions (e.g. Vinho Verde)
• Continental climate – hot, dry inland (e.g. Douro, Alentejo)
• Altitude and River Valleys – help moderate heat in mountainous areas (e.g. Dão, Douro)

Question 2

What is the quality classification hierarchy in Portugal (from basic to highest)?

Answer 2

1. Vinho – Table wine
2. VR (Vinho Regional) – Regional wine, equivalent to IGP
3. DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) – Top classification with strict rules

Question 3

What are the major wine-producing VR (Vinho Regional) regions in Portugal?

Answer 3

• Minho VR (northwest)
• Lisboa VR (coastal west)
• Tejo VR
• Alentejano VR
• Duriense VR (covers Douro DOC)

Question 4

What are some important DOC regions in Portugal?

Answer 4

• Douro DOC – red, white, and Port
• Dão DOC – elegant reds, whites from high altitudes
• Vinho Verde DOC – light whites, slight effervescence
• Bairrada DOC – red wines from Baga
• Alentejo DOC – full-bodied reds and whites
• Colares DOC, Setúbal DOC, Madeira DOC, Porto DOC

Question 5

Where is the Douro DOC located, and what styles of wine are produced?

Answer 5

• Located along the Douro River in northern Portugal
• Produces red, white, and fortified Port wines
• Known for steep terraced vineyards and schist soils

Question 6

Where is the Vinho Verde DOC and what is its signature style?

Answer 6

• Located in northwest Portugal (Minho)
• Produces light, crisp, slightly sparkling white wines, mainly from Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Arinto

Question 7

What style of wine is produced in the Dão DOC?

Answer 7

• Red wines from Touriga Nacional and blends
• Whites from Encruzado
• Elegant, structured wines from high elevation vineyards

Question 8

What is the typical wine style of Bairrada DOC and its key grape?

Answer 8

• Robust red wines from Baga grape
• Also produces white and sparkling wines

Question 9

What grape dominates Alentejo DOC, and what are the wine styles?

Answer 9

• Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet for reds
• Antão Vaz, Arinto for whites
• Full-bodied, fruit-forward red and white wines from a warm, dry inland region

Question 10

What are the principal grape varietals of Portugal?

Answer 10

• Red: Touriga Nacional, Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Baga, Castelão, Alicante Bouschet
• White: Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto, Encruzado, Antão Vaz

Question 11

What is Touriga Nacional best known for?

Answer 11

Portugal’s most noble red grape; key in Port and high-quality still red wines from Douro and Dão

Question 11

What is Aragonês known as in Spain?

Answer 11

Tempranillo

Question 12

What style of wine is produced in the Dão DOC and how?

Answer 12

• Red wines: Blends dominated by Touriga Nacional, grown at high altitudes; elegant, structured
• White wines: From Encruzado, fresh and floral
• Fermentation often in stainless steel, sometimes oak-aged

Question 13

What wine styles are produced in the Minho VR / Vinho Verde DOC?

Answer 13

• Light, crisp, slightly effervescent white wines
• Grape: Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto
• Also red and rosé styles (less exported)

Question 14

What wines are produced in the Douro DOC?

Answer 14

• Red blends: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Cão
• White wines: Rabigato, Gouveio, Viosinho
• Port wine (fortified): same red grapes, with fortification during fermentation

Question 15

What wines are produced in the Bairrada DOC, and what grape is key?

Answer 15

• Red wines: From Baga, structured and tannic
• Also makes white and sparkling wines (Espumante)

Question 16

What is the typical wine style of the Alentejo DOC?

Answer 16

• Full-bodied reds from Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet
• Whites from Antão Vaz and Arinto
• Warm climate = ripe, fruity, approachable wines

Question 17

What is unique about Colares DOC wines?

Answer 17

• Grown on sand dunes near the Atlantic, ungrafted vines
• Red wines from Ramisco: high acid, age-worthy
• White wines from Malvasia

Question 18

What wines are made in the Setúbal DOC and what grape is key?

Answer 18

• Famous for Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet fortified wine
• Grape: Muscat of Alexandria (aka Moscatel)

Question 19

What are common wine labelling terms in Portugal?

Answer 19

• Branco = White
• Tinto = Red
• Rosado = Rosé
• Espumante = Sparkling
• Garrafeira = Indicates ageing
• Reserva = Wine of higher quality with ageing (DOC-specific rules)-

Question 20

What are Portugal’s ageing terms for red wines?

Answer 20

• Reserva Tinto: Min. 1 year ageing + higher alcohol
• Garrafeira Tinto: Min. 2 years in barrel + 1 year in bottle

Question 21

What are Portugal’s ageing terms for white and rosé wines?

Answer 21

• Reserva Branco/Rosado: Min. 6 months ageing + higher alcohol
• Garrafeira Branco/Rosado: Min. 6 months in barrel + 6 months in bottle

Question 22

What are the main red grape varieties used in Douro, Dão, and Bairrada?

Answer 22

• Douro: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz
• Dão: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen
• Bairrada: Baga

Question 23

What are the main white grape varieties used in Vinho Verde and Setúbal?

Answer 23

• Vinho Verde: Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto
• Setúbal: Moscatel de Setúbal (Muscat of Alexandria)