Port and Douro Region
Located in Northeast Portugal, within the Douro River basin, surrounded by craggy mountains that give it very particular soil and climacteric characteristics, this region spreads over a total area of approximately 250 000 hectares and is divided into three sub-regions that differ greatly from each other not only as regards the weather but also for socio-economical reasons.
The existing characteristics in the Douro region affect the economic use that is made of the natural resources and the activities developed there.
Vines cover approximately 15.4% of all the land in the region.
The land under vines is worked by approximately 33 000 farmers, each owning an average of 1 ha under vines. Small farmers are very representative in the production of Port Wine.
Small plots under vines can be found throughout the region; large vineyards are mostly located in the Upper Douro.
As far as the origin of the soil is concerned, most of the Demarcated Region, particularly along the Douro River and its tributaries, is schistose with some granite around the edges.
The unique nature of the climate in the Douro is due to its location given that the Marão and Montemuro mountains serve as barriers that protect the region from the humid west winds that blow in from the Atlantic. Located in deep valleys, protected by mountains, the climate in the region is characterized by very cold winters and hot, dry summers.
Viticulture, the main activity of most farmers in the region, takes place under particularly rigorous climatic conditions, on stony soil that cannot be put to any other use.
Before a vineyard can be planted on the very steep slopes, the land has to be shaped to form terraces. The manner by which the vines are trained is the one that best overcomes the restraints imposed upon them by the climate, the soil, the needs of the plants and the production goals.
In many cases, almond and olives trees are planted around the edges of the vineyards.
These are horizontal terraces with eastern supporting walls, each bearing 1-2 rows of vines planted far enough apart for a small tractor to move between them and with a low planting density of some 3000 to 3500 vines/ha. Given the need of large plots of land for this type of vineyard, it is not suitable for smallholdings.
Even more recently, as an alternative to the wide terraces, vines are being planted in vertical rows rising up the steeper hillsides (the so-called vinhas ao alto). With a planting density similar to that of traditional vineyards, some 4500 to 5000 plants per/ha, this system is better adapted to small plots of land with up to 40% slopes and can be worked by mechanical means using pulleys or specialised tractors
The wide range of types of vines that exist in the Douro and that adapt themselves to different climatic conditions is proof of the Region’'s ability to offer optimal conditions for vines. The varietals, most of them native to the region, are grafted onto different types of rootstock, chosen according to their compatibility with the varietal and the characteristics of the soil in which they are to be planted.
The types of vines that may be planted in the Region, as is the case in all demarcated regions, is regulated by a Decree-Law that lists the authorized varietals, those that are recommended, and the percentage percentage according to which each may be planted.
Today, winemakers have chosen to plant fewer, carefully chosen varietals in the new vineyards. The most noteworthy red wine varietals are: Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão; predominant white grape varietals are Malvasia Fina, Viosinho , Donzelinho and Gouveio.
As regards productivity, the vines grown in the Region are not known for their high yield. The maximum authorized yield is of 55hl/ha (approximately 7500 kg/ha). Average yield is of approximately 30 hl/ha (4100 kg/ha).