You can only irrigate the vines up to the 5th year
Then you need permission from the IDVP
![Scholar :scholar:](./images/smilies/scholar.gif)
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
I actually thought that irrigation wasn't permitted in the Douro, but I guess I was mistaken
What goes on out of sight is another matter though.You can only irrigate the vines up to the 5th year
- Not wet ones?And keep in mind that Quinta is used for dry wines
If Prats has his way they will beTom Archer wrote:- Not wet ones?And keep in mind that Quinta is used for dry wines
I am almost certain that this Quinta is now mostly (totally??) used for the production of dry wines now. Will have to check on that. Though even if some of it is still used for Port just irrigate the non-port vines and all is fine.Tom Archer wrote:I'm not absolutely sure what wines were being made from those vines - it was a high grade quinta that had been spotted as being potentially superb for VP, if better managed..
Apologizes for not being clear. I was referring to Quinta d. Roriz.Tom Archer wrote:Are you thinking of the same place? - I can't name it because I don't think the sale went through and the guy is still after it..
Different Quinta..Apologizes for not being clear. I was referring to Quinta d. Roriz
Thanks for the update Roy. I heard that some producers that ignored the 2015 for the 2016 are really regretting it, because 2017 has so much power. So they could have declared 2015 & 2017, and (with not declaring back to back) only 2017.Roy Hersh wrote:The 2017 harvest was the earliest on record, but that is not news. Most finished harvesting even their Port grapes, prior to the end of September. There are very few exceptions, but some do exist.
While yields are down, additionally there were a good amount of raisins on vines in all 3 sub-regions at almost every property we visited, about 20 in total while in the Douro during PHT1 and PHT2 last month. Those that waited and picked later in the month, for their reds and Ports, had ridiculously extracted grapes in lagares. I was going to name all of the places where we paid close attention to the colors, but let's just say from that standpoint alone ... I can't think of a single harvest where the colors were as close to blackish purple as this year. We tasted several 2016 and even more 2017s, the latter vintage either from lagar or fermented and fortified samples. Really impressive. Lots of talk from all but two visits where people are exalting the virtues of 2017 for Port. Two even hinted that those declaring 2016, may bolster their final blends by adding a small % of 2017 to add more color. Yakety yak.
Anyway, we asked everybody about 2015. There were 4 producers of nearly two dozen in total that believe their 2016s are even better than their 2015. No real surprise. Explanations varied widely. So we will have to wait for the 2016s to be declared and then compare and contrast. It was very interesting hearing the differing opinions, but those that believe in 2016 are quite confident in their decisions. The quantity of 2015 VPs that were approved by the IVDP, is said to exceed that of 2011. That being said, it is too early to know how many will actually hit the marketplace. I met with two winemakers that had received approval to bottle and are now having second thoughts; both of which I have tasted twice in June-August.
More in my upcoming report.
I heard that some producers that ignored the 2015 for the 2016 are really regretting it, because 2017 has so much power.
The old 'town and gown' conflict..Lots of talk in Douro about doing away with declarations altogether. Until now, I've always been against that idea. Did you also hear this being talked about whilst there Tom?