Page 39 - Code de Vino, #17/23, a/w 2018

38 Feature Story Code de Vino #17 Code de Vino #17 Quinta do Portal (Douro Valley) 39
Region Corporate philosophy

The Douro Valley is the world's oldest certified Since its foundation, Quinta do Portal has been dedicated
wine regions and one of the most important. to maintaining the highest quality standards while adhering
The winemaking region of Douro occupies to the latest safety and environmental demands
250,000 hectares along the Douro River in for modern wines.
northeast Portugal. The river is 927 km long,
starting from a small creak in the Spanish Picos Quinta do Portal vineyards function under integrated
de Urbión, and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean management, a farm system focusing on obtaining high-
near the city of Porto. On its journey, the river quality grapes using natural resources, and regulating
passes through several wine regions, but in mechanisms to reduce waste and ensure sustainable
none does it look as impressive and stunning agricultural results.
as in the deep valleys and narrow canyons
of Quinta do Portal. The vineyards never practice soil movement, use no residual
weedicides, only use phyto-pharmaceuticals in small
Terroir All Quintas are located in the Pinhão river valley in the Cima Corgo amounts, and apply only organic fertilizers. Vinha ao Alto
subregion. The Pinhão river is a small tributary of the Douro, which planting methods are used on hills with a slope angle less
The soils of the region are mostly slate with a granite flows from north to south through steep terraced hills. The vineyards than 40°, while on hills with a slope angle from 40° to 60°
a single line of vine terraces are made to avoid herbicide
sublayer. The climate is characterized by chilly winters of the company are located on both the eastern and western river
usage between rows.
and extremely hot, dry summers. Due to a large banks with a difference in elevation from 200 to 550 meters.
number of microclimate variations, the region is divided This exposes the vineyards to almost every possible sun exposure These methods protect support organisms useful for vine
into three subregions with drastically different variant, producing varied and quality grapes for making exceptional
temperatures, precipitation, vineyard size, cultivation wines. The vineyards occupy an area of 100 hectares. cultivation (ladybugs from the Coccinellidae family).
areas, etc. They are Baixo Corgo (Lower Corgo), Cima As a result of this environmentally-friendly approach
to land use, wild partridges have returned to the vineyards,
Corgo (Upper Corgo) and Douro Superior (Upper Interestingly enough, the Touriga Nacional variety grows in almost
Douro). The winery consists of six Quintas in the Cima all the company's vineyards. It is one of the most well-known which is a very rare occurrence for Douro vineyards.
Corgo subregion. The main winery is Quinta do Portal, grapes of Portugal and the best red variety recommended for port
The production of Quinta do Portal wine is based on the rich
and the others are Quinta do Confradeiro, Quinta dos wines. From 1995 through 1997, the vineyard plantations were
Moros, Quinta da Abelheira and Quinta da Manuela. replaced to ensure all vines met the highest standards. conditions offered by Douro region, including a great diversity
of grapes, various altitudes, various sun exposure angles,
different soils, etc. The company uses methods that help
achieve quality goals and respect the plant and its fruit alike.
The enologist
Its wine production scheme is based on a respectful attitude
to the grape and must, which are treated with natural The winemaking process is led by enologist Paulo Coutinho,
who has been part of the Quinta do Portal team since 1994.
gravitation whenever possible. This helps obtain top quality
and reduce energy costs at the same time. Originally from the village of Celeirós, Paolo obtained his
enology education at the University of Trás-os-Montes and
Alto Douro, UTAD. To improve his knowledge and perfect
Quinta do Portal's wines, every year Paulo Coutinho crafts
several test versions and micro-vinifications. This helps even
further perfect the author's already well-respected
signature wines.

Mr. Miguel Souza is responsible for winegrowing.