Portimão

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The southerly location of the region, the protection afforded by the mountain barrier against cold northerly winds, and the south-facing amphitheatre exposure result in a markedly Mediterranean climate.
• Mean annual sunshine exceeds 3,000 hours, in a warm, dry, and largely calm climate with very small diurnal temperature ranges.
• Suitable soils include non-humic litholic soils derived from sandstones, Silves sandstone or related materials, normal and para-hydromorphic psamitic regosols, and red or yellow Mediterranean soils derived from sandstones and raña.
• The vineyards eligible for the DO Portimão designation are planted in the Barrocal and are subject to maritime influence from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Alvor estuary.
• The vineyards are generally trained on a higher trellis (0.50 cm to 1 m) and harvest generally begins 8 to 10 days later than in Lagoa.

• During the Muslim occupation, the Arabs planted vines and exported the wine produced; after the Reconquista, the Christians took advantage of and expanded that economic organisation.
• The production of quality wines in this region was first recognised in 1980, and in 1994 the CVA (Comissão Vitivinícola Regional Algarvia) was established as guarantor of certification and regulation.

• The white wines are clear or slightly opaline, with a pale straw colour, and are generally well-balanced, delicate, and soft, with some floral character.
• The red wines display a ruby colour that evolves towards a topaz hue with ageing; they are velvety, full-bodied, very fruity, sometimes floral, low in acidity, with noticeable alcohol.

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-A1452
• Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola do Algarve