The Port : Portuguese fortified wine

Port is a Portuguese wine, produced in the Alto Douro region, on the Spanish border. The vines are mainly cultivated by small producers, each with a small plot. These plots are called Quinta.

History

Port has been produced since Antiquity, but it was not until the 17th century that the name “Port wine” appeared. It was in England that the wine became very successful. Indeed, following an embargo proclaimed by Louis XIV’s prime minister, the English found themselves deprived of Bordeaux wine and so they discovered Port, a wine of similar quality to those of Bordeaux. They obtained the privilege of founding trading houses in exchange for lower taxes on Port wine. However, Port remained expensive and in competition with Bordeaux wines. It nevertheless remained difficult to travel. In order for it to withstand the journey, brandy was added to it. This is how Jean Beardsley (an English merchant) had the idea of ​​increasing its strength by adding pure wine brandy. This is how it quickly became appreciated in Europe.

The United Kingdom is still one of the largest consumers of Port today.

Terroir

The vine is grown on schistose hillsides that rest on a granite subsoil. This soil is so poor in organic matter and so arid that few plants can grow there. The cultivation is carried out on terraces clinging to steep cliffs that drop into the Douro Valley.

Climate

The region has a fairly contrasting Mediterranean climate with more marked temperature differences than in the city of Porto because it is located inland. It is hot and dry in summer (up to 40°C) and in winter there is frequent snow and hail.

Wine-growing areas

There are a total of 33,000 winegrowers in the Douro region, 80% of whom own less than 0.5 hectares. The area is divided into three official zones: Boixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.

Grape varieties

Port is a blended wine. At the time, about fifty varieties of black and white grapes were allowed and about twenty were recommended by the authorities.

Six are recognized by most merchants as displaying qualities of the very first order: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Amarela.