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Vineyards of Duro valley Portugal

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PORTUGAL

Region: Douro and Porto

Established in 1756, the Port Wine-producing Douro region is the third oldest protected wine region in the world after the Tokaj-Hegyalja region in Hungary, established in 1730 and Chianti 1716. Port wine (also known as Vinho do Porto, Porto, and often simply Port) is a Portuguese fortified wine from the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal.[1] The reaches of the valley of the Douro River in northern Portugal have a microclimate that is optimal for cultivation of grapes important for making the famous Port wine. The region around Pinhão and São João da Pesqueira is considered to be the centre of Port production, and is known for its pictures que quintas—farms clinging on to almost vertical slopes dropping down to the river. The demarcation of the Douro River Valley includes a broad swath land of pre-Cambrian schist and granite. Beginning around the village of Barqueiros (located about 40 miles (about 70 km upstream from Porto), the valley extends eastward nearly to the Spanish border. The region is protected from the influences of the Atlantic Ocean by the Serra do Marão mountains. Vineyards are located at 100 to 300m from sea level with annual rainfall about 600mm. The area is sub-divided into 3 official zones-the Baixo (lower) Corgo, the Cima (higher) Corgo and the Douro Superior.

Winery: Quinta do Seixo

Situated in the sub region of Cima-corgo, in the heart of the Demarcated Douro Region, Quinta do seixo has an estate of 99 hectares, 65 of which are planted. It is one of the biggest Sogrape’s properties in this region and it produces Porto Wine and Douro DOC.

Principle root stocks R99,R110,SO4,1103P are grafted with Toriga National, Toriga Roriz, Tinta Boroca, Tinta Fémia (bresiliena) and material polyclonal only for Toriga National (8 clones). In old parcels; varieties are mixed but in new parcels its monovarital. Plant density is about 3000 plants/ha in old vineyards and about 4000-6000 plants/ha in the new plantation; with a north south exposition. Old parcel have cordon double training system but in new parcel guyot system is used. They don’t irrigate their vineyards but they use correct soils with potassium and PH level. They allow cover cropping in vineyards. Harvesting starts around 18 to 20 September. Yield is restricted to 3000kg-3500 kg/Ha. Powdery mildew, Oidium, Cicadela is some important diseases.

This wine cellar is equipped with the most advanced technology of vinification. Here one can observe the work of the robotic lagares simulating the rhythmic movement of men’s feet and allowing a higher control of the procedure. This system represents an excellent compromise between the advantages of both traditional and modern methods. Production of grapes is around 300 to 350 tones. The winery crushes about 80 to 120 tonnes of grapes per day during harvesting.

During pre fermentation; maceration for Porto wines is 28-30° and Douro wines is 25-28°C. For Porto wines fermentation in the “lagares” for 2 to 5 days and for D.O. Douro wines fermentation within the tanks. White, ruby, tawny porto; Old tawny porto (10,20,30,40 years); Vintage; LBV; Sandeman Founders reserve porto; Sandeman Imperial Reserve Porto are different types wines produced in this estate.

Tasting report of products:

1) Sandeman Apitiv Porto (white Porto): Nose: white flower; cork: good equilibrium,

2) Sandeman Ruby: Tourigo.National, Tourigo. Roriz. Nose: fruits matured, and equilibrium.
There are around 2 to 4 permanent labour working in this estate but during vintage number can increase up to 14. Harvesting is done with human power. Labour for harvesting are paid around 1000 Euros per month.Group Sogrape has a common sales office for all its brands. For promotion activities they do advertisements in magazines and exhibitions. They do provide new different ways of consumption of Porto wine like cocktail: Porto blanc, Schweps. The 60% of production is for export and rest of 40% in Portugal national market. Main international markets are USA, Angola, UK and etc which make total number of 55 countries.

Winery: Calem

Established by Antonio Alves Calem in 1859, associated with « active brands » in the CaixaNova group (Spain) ; Calem port wines are a result of special attention given to the production and harvest of high quality grapes, especially in the areas of ‘ cima corgo ‘ and upper douro’ known as the ‘cathedral of port wine’. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Vila Nova de Gaia with a fantastic view over the historical “riberia do porto’.

Owns 200 ha of vineyard in Quinta do Arnozelo. Planted all current DOC recommended varieties like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão. It has production of 4 million bottles every year and 13 different wines of Porto. During post-fermentation ageing of the tawnys in barrels (550 to 750 litre), ageing of the ruby’s in big wood tanks (15 to 70 HL). Barrels are changed after every 40 to 60 years; they can be used later for Whiskies.

Tasting report of products:

White Porto: medium dry wine, floral aromas, aperitif wine.
Ruby Porto: around 3years of aging, fruity wine, taste of blackberries, medium dry.
Tawny Porto: 4-5 years of aging, so one of their youngest tawnies, oaked wine, medium dry. Most representative of the brand (biggest volume).
Tawny 10 years: aromas of oak and jammy fruits, well balanced, elegant wine for all kinds of desserts.
The office of marketing, logistics and oenotourism is located in Porto with sub branches in Portugal, Europe, and worldwide. Oenotourism is very important because 120000 people visit the winery every year, the group represents 1% of the Whole tourism in Portugal. Half of total employed workforce is in administrative and commercial department located in Porto, including marketing unit. Specialized press and magazines (wine, spirit, gastronomy…), sponsoring of events and shows in the Winery (pectoral arts…). Advertising on the sale places (specialized shops) is important. They are working hard to do more direct sales to restaurants in Porto and other cities, supermarkets via distributors. Diversification of products and uses (long drinks, table wines, brandies…) are some of their competitors. Geographically company is targeting towards Scandinavian market. Half of the production is sold in national market (Portugal) and half marketed abroad. Main international markets are Denmark, France. But they are even trying to explore some new international markets like South America, then Eastern Europe and nowadays prospecting of Asia (China, India…). The year 2008 and the beginning of 2009 are very difficult because of the crisis and led to reduction in workforce.

ANALYSIS AND RESULT

Quinta do Seixo owned by Sogrape is one of the first three brands in port wines. This wine cellar is equipped with the most advanced technology of vinification; which helps them to produce quality wines. Group Sogrape has a common sales office for all its brands which help them to have a centralised control over production, bottling, logistics and marketing according to the flow in market. They manage very professionally their supply chain management which helps them to increase their profits. They have succeeded to make a brand of their product in national and international market. We can also find a shop (wine bar) with the latest novelties released by Sandeman as well as Douro DOC wines and gourmet products of the Douro region which attracts many visitors. They provide different ways of drinking Porto wine as a cocktail which mainly targets young consumers.

The group CaixaNova is the 4th group in branding Porto after Taylor’s, Symington and Sogrape. Considering an aggressive policy on prices and sales forces, CaixaNova targets the first place by gaining more market share. But it needs some more investment to be done at the winery for reception of the visitors and a wine bar which can help them increase their oenotourism. They are also in need of branding of their product with merchandising.

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Comments (1) | October 21st, 2009

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