Encostas d'Aire

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Encostas d'Aire region is situated on the slopes of the Serra de Aire, between the coast and the Estremenho limestone massif, centred on Leiria and following part of the River Lis.
• The region encompasses two sub-regions, Alcobaça and Ourém, the latter also known as Medieval d'Ourém, each with its own soil types as defined in the specification document.
• The region's soils include brown and red calcareous soils derived from marls and fine sandstones, brown and red Mediterranean soils derived from fine sandstones, clays and mudstones, and non-humic lithosols and podzols derived from sandstones.
• In the municipality of Ourém, soils vary by zone: to the north, non-humic lithosols and light alluvial soils predominate, while to the south and east, red Mediterranean soils of calcareous origin occur in a shallow phase with high stoniness.
• Geologically, the region displays representation of all geological ages, and climatically it lies in the transition zone between the belt of humid, prevailing westerly winds and that of dry summers.
• Vegetation ranges from a type close to that of Central Europe in the northern part of the region to Mediterranean characteristics at the southern end, while alluvial soils contrast with the slopes of secondary limestone.

• The Encostas d'Aire – Medieval d'Ourém wines are produced in the municipality of Ourém using winemaking methods rooted in medieval practices, attributed to the methods of the Cistercian monks.

• The red wines display an open ruby colour, are light-bodied, sometimes with fruity and jammy aromas, and have soft tannins that ensure good development in bottle.
• The white wines are light and gentle, with a deep yellow colour, fruity both on the palate and on the nose, showing some persistence and good development.

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 PDO-PT-A1470
• Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola da Região de Lisboa