Açores

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Azores archipelago is of volcanic origin and is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,600 km west of the Portuguese mainland coast.
• The archipelago comprises 9 islands, ranging in size from 17 to 749 km², and lies at the junction of the American, Eurasian, and African tectonic plates.
• The temperate maritime climate brings mild temperatures ranging from 16 °C in winter to 26 °C in summer, with sea temperatures between 14 and 22 °C owing to the Gulf Stream.
• From October to March, average monthly rainfall exceeds 100 mm with around 20 rain days per month, and annual mean relative humidity is approximately 75%.
• Due to the archipelago's volcanic and geologically recent origin, the soils are shallow, with a significant presence of coarse rock fragments, and are composed predominantly of basaltic rocks, trachytes, and andesites.

• Viticulture in the Azores dates back to the mid-fifteenth century, with the Franciscan friars most likely responsible for introducing vine cultivation to the archipelago.
• To protect the vineyards from Atlantic winds, growers created 'currais' or 'curraletas' — plots enclosed by dry-stone walls — a landscape that UNESCO recognised as a 'Cultural Landscape of Humanity'.

• The Wines, Sparkling Wines, and Liqueur Wines of the PGI Açores share attributes such as freshness, salinity, minerality, good acidity, and fruity aromas.

• The presence of coarse fragments in the soils enhances heat reflection, favouring grape ripening and the expression of aromatic compounds, resulting in wines with pronounced aromas.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (caderno de especificações).

All appellations in Portugal

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-PT-A1447
• Official trade body site — Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho dos Açores