Portugal Flashcards
Whites from Portugal are best drunk when?
Young
What is the most important climatic influence in Portugal?
The Atlantic
Much of Portugals climate is Maritime. What is much of the climate where it is not Maritime? What is the major moderating influence in these parts?
Dry, hot, continental
Altitude
What contributes to the wide array of wine styles and native varietals in Portugal, despite the country’s size?
Large differences in annual average temperatures around the country
What are the five main DOCs?
DOC Vinho Verde DOC Douro DOC Dao DOC Bairrada DOC Alentejo
What is a Vinho Regional? What is the largest in Portugal?
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
Vinho Regional Alentejano
What is the most significant climatic feature of Vinho Verde?
Rainfall
Trellising systems in Vinho Verde have shifted from … to …, why?
Pergola to VSP
To allow for mechanisation and improve health and quality of the grapes
What pruning method is used on the VSP-trellised vines of Vinho Verde?
Spur-pruning
What is the ABV of classic Vinho Verde wines? (colour/intensity, acidity, ABV %s, sweetness)
What changes if the wine is labelled with a variety, sub-region or authorised quality labelling term?
Pale lemon, high acidity, 8-11.5% ABV, off-dry
Wines can be up to 14% ABV and are more likely to be dry
The low alcohol (8-11.5%) Vinho Verde whites traditionally have a slight sparkling sensation which adds to freshness. These wines will be made from which two local varieties?
Loureiro
Arinto
A white wine from Vinho Verde that exhibits riper, more tropical aromas, might be made from which grape and have an ABV between … and …%?
Alvarinho
11.5% and 14%
Reds from Vinho Verde might be rich and tannin; roses are?
Fresh and fruity
What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world?
Douro
Which of the Port grapes grown in Douro is best known? What is significant about this grapes yields? It’s intense colour and flavour is matched by high…?
Touriga Nacional
Low yielding
Tannins
Douro white wines will show fresh varietal characters and medium to high acidity, especially when grown where?
High altitude vineyards
What is the climate in Douro?
What blocks most of the Atlantic rain reaching the vineyards?
What is significant about soils in Douro and the vines’ access to water?
Maritime
Serra do Marao
Schist bedrock which easily cracks vertically, allowing roots access to underground water reserves
What is the topography like in Dao? What are the winters and summers like? How's the diurnal? Is altitude a moderating influence? What do these conditions result in?
Mountainous with vineyards on gentler hills and slopes Winters are cold and wet Summers are warm and dry Diurnal is Large Yes High quality grapes
Vineyard improvement schemes in Dao have seen new plantings of which four high quality black varieties?
Touriga Nacional
Tinta Roriz
Alfrocheiro
Jaen (Mencia)
What two intense aromas are typical of Alfrocheiro? Where is this grape most relevant?
Blackberry
Strawberry
Dao
Where is the black grape Baga the dominant grape variety?
Bairrada
Baga is thick-skinned and ripens when?
late
What is done to manage Baga’s high tannin and astringency? (4)
Later picking
Gentle crushing
Gentle maceration
Blending
Which two black grapes that are relevant in Dao also relevant in Bairrada?
What international grapes make an appearance here?
Alfrocheiro
Touriga Nacional
Merlot, Cab Sauv and Syrah
