Alenquer

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Pale/red calcareous soils derived from marls and fine sandstones, and pale/red Mediterranean soils derived from mudstones on the slopes.
• The finest viticultural patches are distributed across hillsides, knolls, valleys, and mountain passes in calcareous and Mediterranean soils.
• A mountain barrier to the north and west blocks Atlantic influence and facilitates Mediterranean penetration into the region's climate.
• The Atlantic contributes summer mists and breezes that balance sugars, acids, and the development of aromatic and phenolic compounds.
• Vineyards in large, continuous blocks follow the relief; mid-slope positions with south-easterly exposure stand out for their quality.

• The white wines of Alenquer were already appreciated in England in the 14th century and achieved success at the London Exhibition of 1890.
• The Convento de São Francisco de Alenquer, built in 1222, is the first Franciscan Order convent in Portugal.

• Young reds with vivid, bright colour; aged examples reveal a rare bouquet — aromatic whites are full-bodied and persistent.
• In the white wines from mid-slope sites facing south-west, Mediterranean influence during ripening translates into aroma, volume, and persistence.

• A mountain barrier to the north and west blocks Atlantic influence and facilitates Mediterranean penetration, producing easy ripening and alcoholic strength balanced by summer breezes.

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

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-PT-A1468
• Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola da Região de Lisboa