Douro

The climatic, topographical, and soil characteristics ofPortugal’s Douro region determinethe economic use of natural resources and the activities carried out there. Viticulture is the primary activity for most farmers in the region and is practiced under particularly harsh climatic conditions, on rocky soils that offer no viable alternative.

The existence of numerous quality wines in the Douro region necessitated the creation of selection criteria and the classification of the musts produced there.

This is why, of the total land area occupied by vineyards, only 26,000 hectares are authorized to produce port. Certified vineyards are selected based on quality criteria using a scoring method and classified on a quality scale ranging from A to F. This method takes into account soil, climate, and cultivation parameters, which have a decisive influence on the potential quality of the plots. Only after their fifth year can vineyards begin to produce Port wine, and in accordance with land registry provisions, each vineyard plot is assigned a must production coefficient.

To plant vineyards in this region, it was necessary to use terraced land development techniques in areas where the slope is steepest. Vineyard management practices are the solution found to ensure that the soil and climate best adapt to the plant’s needs while meeting production objectives.

Vine cultivation is exclusive in most cases, although it sometimes coexists with almond or olive trees along the edges of the plots.