|
Portuguese wine varietals
In Portugal as in Europe there
has been used several vine varietals from Vitis vinifera. There is an American
type of vine which has been used since late 19th century as rootstock to combat
the phylloxera on which then Portuguese or other European wine varietals are
grafted. The same vine varietal will produce different wines when growing in
different regions.
Some of the more important white vine varietals include: Alvarinho, Loureiro,
Arinto, Encruzado, Bical, Fernão Pires, Moscatel and Malvasia Fina. Until
recently, apart from Alvarinho and Moscatel it was difficult to find white
varietal wines. Traditionally several varietals should be blended. Since 1990s
there has been a decrease in the interest in white wines by the producers as
well as an increase in red wines.
Some of the more important red vine varietals include: Touriga Nacional, Tinta
Roriz (or Aragonês), Baga, Castelão, Touriga Franca and Trincadeira (or Tinta
Amarela).
There has been an on-going debate on the use in Portugal of Portuguese
varietals in relation to the use of foreign ones. Debate persists as many foreign markets seem to prefer varietals that they
already know such as Cabernet Sauvignon in relation to Portuguese varietals
which are less known.
[Portuguese wine]
|
