Portugal and its wine regions UK City-Tasting January, 2010 By Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective Wine Writer A copy of this presentation can be emailed to you

ViniPortugal is a private association dedicated to promoting Wines of Portugal. Its members are wine producers, including grape growers, cooperatives, farmers and government representatives. Cube Communications is ViniPortugal’s UK generic office.

Portuguese Wine Regions and Contemporary Winemaking A World of Difference

Diversity of conditions Portuguese Wine Regions and Contemporary Winemaking Southwest of Europe 560km long 160km wide Diversity of conditions Diversity of grapes (450!)   Vineyards in hectar Wine production in hl hl/hectar Germany 102,000 9 million 88.24 France 915,000 62 million 67.76 Portugal 240,000 7 million 31.25 Austria 40,000 2.8 million 70 Australia 57,000 4 million 70.18

Terroir Atlantic Wines Mountain Wines Wines of the Plains Douro, Dão, Beira Interior, Northern Alentejo (Interior North) warm summers, cold winters . Long vegetative cycle . Low to medium alcohol . Medium to high acidity . Full to medium wines . Ageing potential Atlantic Wines Vinho Verde, Bairrada, Lisboa (Atlantic North) fresh winds and humidity . Long vegetative cycle . Low to medium alcohol . High acidity . Light to medium wines . Aromatic and floral wines . Drink young Wines of the Plains Ribatejo, Terras do Sado, Southern Alentejo, Algarve (South) warm and dry in the summer, mild winters . Short vegetative cycle . Medium to high alcohol . Low acidity . Drink young or age for a while

Indigenous White Grape Varieties (some examples) Alvarinho Fernão Pires Arinto Encruzado Vinho Verde (Monção Melgaço); low-yield grape; •dry, crisp, aromatic wines; •notes of peach, citrus fruits, apple, and often with mineral character. The most planted white variety in Portugal (Palmela, Tejo, Sado, Setúbal, Bairrada …); •very versatile grape •crisp, aromatic whites, sparklings, but also sweet dessert wines. •Pedernã in Vinho Verde; •balanced acidity; •hints of lemon and pineapple; •with aging potential. •Widely planted in Dão region; •floral and mineral aromas; •usually fermented in oak for more complexity.

Indigenous Red Grape Varieties (some examples) Touriga Nacional Aragonês Trincadeira Baga Castelão • Popular in Bairrada; •produces full-bodied, tannic and complex wines; •notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, pepper, herbs and smoke on the nose; •good aging potential. •Tinta Amarela in Douro and Dão; •wines with considerable power and balanced tannins; •notes of blackberry, plum, chocolate, pepper and herbs on the nose. •Widely planted; •notes of raspberry and red currant ; •smooth and easy to drink wines. •Low yield; •high concentration of sweetness, aromas, tannins and color; •with aromas of dark berry fruits, notes of pine, eucalyptus and rockrose. •= Tinta Roriz, or Tempranillo; •produces fruity, dark and aromatic wines.

VINHO VERDE Soil - granitic soil, occasionaly schist Region - rolling hills and montains small parcels (below 0.8 ha) very green landscape (Vinho “Verde“) Average 28,000 ha planted Climate - influence from the Atlantic - frequent rain falls Soil - granitic soil, occasionaly schist

ALENTEJO Region - vast and rural area of flat plains with occasional low hills; - large sized properties; other traditional cultures: cereals, cork and olives. Climate: warm and dry Soil: rich clay soil, with granite and schist

ALENTEJO Varieties: Roupeiro, Antão Vaz, Aragonês, Trincadeira. Wines: reds are full-bodied, fruity and have good ageing potential.

Peninsula de Setúbal Main varieties: Moscatel de Setúbal, Castelão, Fernão Pires Wines: - Early maturing red wines with notes of red currants and raspberries. Wine with ageing potential. - Moscatel de Setúbal – fortified wine with long ageing time in barrel and with nutty, raisiny and honeyed aromas.

DOURO / PORTO Region: vineyards planted on stone-walled terraces on the hills and on the banks of the river Douro and its tributaries. 3 Sub-regions: Baixo-corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior - one of the wildest landscapes in the world - av. 40,500 ha of planted vine - average property size – 1.2 ha Climate - very hot in the summer - cold in the winter - low precipitation Soil: schist; rocky soils; low yields

DOURO / PORTO Over 100 Grapes! Main varieties: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Aragonês), Tinta Barroca Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela... Wines: dark colours, inky, opaque, ripe black berried with notes of rockrose.

DÃO Region: rolling hills and small holdings - forest (pine trees and eucalyptus). In other areas, empty and wild landscapes - average property, bellow 0.8 ha Climate: warm in the summer, long and cool Autumns and Winters; high precipitation Soil: granite, slate, schist, lime and clay.

MADEIRA Region Climate Soils Characterised by the steep orography of the terrain. The particular conditions of the soil (of volcanic origin), the proximity of the sea, the climatic conditions and the one-of-a kind production process give the wine its unique and singular characteristics Climate - Characterised by its microclimates, has hot and humid summers and mild winters. Soils Basaltic (volcanic origin), in general, they have a clayey texture.

MADEIRA Wines Main varieties Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, Malvasia e Tinta Negra. Wines Sweetness balanced by a good dose of acidity, full body, with good structure, notes of dried fruits.

Association of Portuguese Wine Importers: 6 Point Selling Plan Diversity 2. Value for Money 3. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, is the oldest alliance in the world  4. Wines for today's market 5. The Port link 6. Opportunity and Support

www.viniportugal.co.uk Are you a retailer or importer? List your wines for free on viniportugal.co.uk and consumers can search for wine by the name, location, importer, producer or retailer. For further information please contact Cube Communications in the UK: 0208 401 5502. sarah@cubecomm.co.uk

Thank you for coming UK City-Tasting January, 2010 By Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective Wine Writer