Terroir of the Demarcated Region of Douro: a case study

Abstract

In the Demarcated Region of Douro (DRD), sub-region of Cima-Corgo, there is a set of producing estates where existed an empirical perception that the wine produced in different areas have also a distinctive character, and those areas might be defined as terroir. An experimental work was set up in two closely located areas, where that perception existed, and a large number of grapevines of ‘Touriga Franca’, ‘Touriga Nacional’ e ‘Tinta Roriz’ were under observation to determine the characteristics of their production and of their musts, their adaptability to each location and to define each location as a distinctive terroir. It was measured the individual production of each grapevine and the respective pruning weight. The musts were chemically analyzed. Each location can be considered a terroir, the grapevine varieties showed different adaptability to each location, and the management of the vineyards must be adjusted to each place and variety.