A hot and dry summer with record temperatures in Douro Valley, as in most of mainland Europe, has resulted in what will be Quinta do Tedo’s early harvest start date. Quinta do Tedo’s Vineyard Manager Angelo Ribeiro shares his knowledge and insight about 2022’s season - join us for the interview!
1. How would you describe this year’s viticultural conditions?
Angelo: This year's weather conditions meant that we had to anticipate the harvest, the high temperatures associated with a water deficit caused extremely high stress on the plants, Quinta do Tedo had several periods of extreme heat, with record temperatures at 48 C (118 F).
2. What do you look for that determines when the harvest starts?
Angelo: The harvest start date is influenced by several parameters, with emphasis on the probable alcohol content, Total Acidity, PH, ratio of grape weight and juice, and even the availability of labor, with the high temperatures that are still felt in this final stretch. (Vincent adds that, depending on what we are making - Porto Rosé, red Port, rosé wine or red wine the criteria for picking varies. Also, together with our winemaker we taste and inspect the berries to be sure not to arrive to a pruney flavor character.) According to these different factors, when the decision is made to harvest, in such an extremely hot year as 2022, the objective is to pick the grapes as soon as possible, to stop their productive cycle that has stressed the plant. For Harvest 2022 the acidity values are balanced and the phenolic maturation is practically completed, it will certainly be a year of extreme quality for both our Ports as well as our red wines.
3. Which parcel will be picked first, and why?
Angelo: Our oldest parcel Savedra is the parcel that will be picked first, as it demonstrates a higher degree of maturation. Older parcels achieve earlier higher sugar content values and a higher phenolic matrix compared to younger vines. The older parcels have less clusters per plant and for that also they mature earlier.
4. Over 20 varietals are planted at Tedo, and all but one Tinta Roriz, are indigenous, drought and heat tolerant, this is normal for Port to have such a blend. Which varietals have performed best in this year’s conditions?
Angelo: More heat resistant: Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional; more drought resistant: Tinto Cão. Also to note: Quinta do Tedo’s vineyards are oriented to the East, with rows perpendicular in a north-south orientation, that means that from the sunrise to the sunset they receive sun, a very positive condition. The 50 m difference in vineyard elevation from the vineyards at Tedo river (elevation 150 m/500’) to our highest vineyards (200 m/650’) have a difference of 2 to 3 C ( 3.5 – 5.5 F) degrees. That is a considerable difference.
5. With this year’s replanted parcels what was the criteria for choosing the varietals?
Angelo: In the new plantation root stock R110 was planted, that has characteristics that adapt very well to Quinta do Tedo, with less vegetative growth but with the ability to root at greater depths even in very schist soils like ours, and this will be a fundamental point for the plant survival in the face of climate change.
6. Do we train the plants in any specific way to protect from sun and heat?
Angelo: No, we apply sunscreen evenly on all parcels (Portuguese humor!). We try to maintain the maximum amount of leaves to protect the grapes on the side of sun exposure. That is our only sunscreen!
It is not because we will harvest the grapes early that this will affect the quality of our Ports and red wines. It is due to early maturation. For example, in 2017 we started the harvest even earlier, and 2017 is considered for Porto one of the best in the last 20 years and an excellent year for red wines.
