Terras de Cister

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The region is encircled by a mountainous triangle formed by the Serra de Santa Helena (1,102 m), Monte Raso (851 m), and the Serra da Nave–Leomil (1,015 m), which shelters it from external influences.
• This mountainous triangle acts as a natural barrier against moist air masses from the coast and harsh continental winds, imparting distinctive mesological and climatic characteristics.
• The region's two principal rivers, the Távora and the Varosa, define the landscape and naturally delimit the winegrowing area both geographically and physically.
• The climate is predominantly temperate continental, with very hot, dry summers, wide diurnal temperature ranges, and cold, prolonged winters with frequent frost, sometimes occurring late in the season.
• The soils are essentially granitic, sandy-clayey, and light, with low water-retention capacity, low organic-matter content, high levels of potassium and phosphorus, and generally elevated acidity.

• Wine production in the region is linked to the establishment of Cistercian monks in the twelfth century, who built monasteries and churches and planted the first vineyards in the area now known as Terras de Cister.
• The region's topography calls for mountain viticulture, associated with traditional farming practices that create the conditions for wines of high natural acidity, freshness, character, and structure.

• The white and rosé wines are characterised by notable, well-balanced freshness and acidity, while the reds are light, supple, and have good freshness.
• These are fresh wines with delicate aromas and structure, high natural acidity, minerality, and low alcohol, showing good aromatic expression of the grape varieties.

• The predominantly granitic, acidic soils, together with low organic-matter levels, impart a mineral dimension to the wines and are decisive factors in their characteristically high natural acidity.

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-02351
• Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola Regional de Távora-Varosa