Viti Flashcards
(29 cards)
What do growers do to overcome the problem of there being very little natural soil
Blasting schist with dynamite
Rigorous maintenance
Name the 4 planting systems
Socalcos (pre-phylloxera type)
Socalcos (post-phylloxera type)
Patamares
Vinha ao alta
Describe pre-phelloxera socalcos
Horizontal terraces
Supported by stone walls
May have only 2 rows on each terrace
3000-5000 vines per hectare
Describe post-phylloxera socalcos
Wider terraces with sloped tops and fewer walls
(Aiming to allow even exposure to the sun)
6000 vines per hectare
Describe patamares
Introduced in the 1970s
Terraces cut by bulldozer
Flat tops carrying 2 rows, supported by earth banks
Allow some mechanisation
The banks occupy space reducing planting density (lower labour costs offset this)
3000-5000 vines per hectare
Describe Vinha ao Alta planting system
Vertical planting Allows for higher densities Allows for mechanisation Soil erosion can occur Used on the less steep sites (often Douro Superior) 4500-5000 VpH
Vsp spur pruned
What kind of grafting is common in the Douro
Field grafting
Which training system is common in the Douro
Mostly Guyot (low, along wires)
Name a viticultural hazard
Weeds - competition for the low rainfall
What is the maximum yield in the Douro
55 hl/ha
What is the average yield in the Douro
30 hl/ha
Which shipper spearheaded research which identified the 5 top quality varieties
Ramos Pinto
What are the 5 top quality varieties
Touriga Nacional Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz Tinta Barroca Tinta Cão
What are the main grapes for white port
Gouveio
Malvasia Fina
Viosinho
Malvasia Rei (for the cheap ones)
What is forbidden on a port label
Varietal labelling
Describe the characteristics of the Touriga Nacional grape
Early ripener
Low yielder
Poor fruit set
Excessive vigour
Describe the style wines that Touriga Nacional produces
Deeply coloured
Tannic
Intensely aromatic
Plum
Touriga Franca - describe the vine
Needs warmer sites to ripen
The most widely planted of the top 5
Higher yielding than Touriga Nacional
Touriga Franca - describe the wines
High colour
High tannin
High aromatics
What is Tinta Roriz also known as
Tempranillo
Describe the Tinta Roriz vine qualities
Not very resistant to heat
Ripens later than Nacional
Best at lower yields
What is Tinta Roriz wine like
They gave finesse
Viticultural qualities of Tinta Barroca
Prefers cooler sites
Early ripening
Thin skin
Wines of Tinta Barroca
High colour
High tannin
High acidity
High must weights