Traditionally, what were shippers?
Agents, who:
What are shippers today?
Producers who have their own vineyards, wineries and bottling facilities.
Why were Port vineyards officially demarcated in 1756?
To combat fake Ports being made and shipped to England that were damaging the reputation and pricing of Port.
How were shippers able to start purchasing land in the early-mid 1800s (read: how did agents become producers)?
Shippers started to buy land from small farmers who had to sell due to:
and with these land purchases the shippers established quintas (estates).
What was the difference between the IVP and the Casa do Douro when they were established in the 1930s? (neither is alive today)
IVP supervised the Port industry;
Casa do Douro (1932) supervised the growers within the Port demarcation.
What were three key factors that influenced the development of Port in the latter half of the 20th century?
What is the general climate of the Douro?
Hot continental climate with temperatures easily reaching 40°C (104°F) in summer.
Which mountains protect Douro from Atlantic influence?
Serra do Marão to the west
What are the three subregions of Douro?
Baixo Corgo
Cima Corgo
Douro Superior
Fill in the blank:
The River Douro and its many tributaries provide a range of _____ within the Douro Valley.
Microclimates
Vineyard sites vary in elevation and aspect which means differences in sun exposure and average temperatures within the same vineyard.
Soil of the Douro
Bedrock splits into vertical layers so roots can penetrate deep into the bedrock to find water.
Is irrigation permitted in the Douro?
Only in exceptional circumstances.
Hence, what little natural water exists here is the main source of water for the vine.
e.g. periods of drought which could cause extreme hydric stress
What are the three vineyard layouts in Douro?
Socalcos
Socalcos
Patamares
Patamares
What are the two kinds of Patamares?
Wide (original format)
Narrow (newer format)
Vinha ao Alto
What are the two ways vines are typically trained in the Douro and why?
Cordon-trained and spur-pruned, or;
Head-trained and cane-pruned and VSP trellised.
What are the widely used rootstocks in Douro and why are these particular ones used?