Encostas d'Aire
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Boal BrancoVitalBicalBastardo (Trousseau Noir)TamarezMalvasia FinaRatinhoSyrahSeara NovaCabernet-SauvignonArintoRabo De OvelhaTrincadeiraFernao PiresCercialCastelaoAragonez (Tempranillo Tinto)AmostrinhaTrincadeira BrancaAlicante Bouschet (Alicante Henri Bouschet)Alicante Branco (Planta Fina)Bruñal (Alfrocheiro)CaladocJampalTouriga FrancaTouriga NacionalRufeteChardonnayTinta Miuda (Graciano)BagaDiagalves (Diana Hamburg)
The Portuguese regulator (IVV) does not distinguish principal vs accessory varieties — every authorised casta is listed together in the caderno de especificações.
Terroir
Natural factors
- A region between the coast and the Estremenho limestone massif, crossed by the River Lis, with Leiria as its centre.
- Dominant soils: brown/red limestone soils derived from marls, Mediterranean clay soils, and non-humic litholic soils from sandstones.
- Sub-region Ourém/Sul-Este: thin-phase Mediterranean red soils over limestone with high stoniness.
- Temperate climate in transition between humid westerly winds and dry summers, giving rise to the formation of microclimates.
Human factors
- Winemaking practices in Ourém with medieval origins, linked to the Cistercian monks.
- A climatic transition zone between humid westerly winds and dry summers, with geology spanning all ages.
Product characteristics
- Reds: open ruby colour, fruity and jammy aromas, soft tannins with good bottle development.
- Whites: light, with a deep yellow colour, fruity on the nose and palate with some persistence and good development.
Terroir / wine link
- Limestone and Mediterranean soils shape red wines of soft tannins and fruity whites with good development.
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-A1470
- Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola da Região de Lisboa