CARMIM

When is the harvesting time?

This depends on the region and the grape varieties. In the Alentejo, it may begin in late August and continue until early October.

What is the percentage of wine obtained from 1kg of grapes?

The theoretical yield is 75%.

What do you understand by Denomination of origin?

Concept applicable to certain wines whose originality and individuality are connected indissociably with a given region, these are: wines originating from and produced in said region; wines whose quality or characteristics can essentially or exclusively be put down to the geographic environment including natural and human factors.

To benefit from a Denomination of Origin, the whole wine production process is subject to strict control at all its stages, from the vineyard to the consumer. The grape varieties used, the vinification methods and the organoleptic characteristics are just some of the elements whose control allows the attribution of this right, it being incumbent upon the Regional Wine-Growing Committees to carry out this control so as to ensure authenticity and quality within the demarcated regions.

What do you understand by VQPRD?

Quality Wine Produced in a Demarcated Region. Community nomenclature also adopted in Portugal after it joined the EEC. This designation encompasses all the wines classified as DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and IPR (Indication of Regulated Provenance).

There is also nomenclature applicable to liquorous wines and sparkling wines: VLQPRD – Quality liquorous wine produced in a specified region; VEQPRD – quality sparkling wine produced in a specific region.

What do you understand by DOC?

Denomination of Controlled Origin. Designation attributed to wines whose production is traditionally linked to a geographically delimited region and subject to a series of rules set out in specific legislation (characteristics of the soils, recommended and authorised grape varieties, vinification practices, alcoholic content, aging time etc.).  In practice, the oldest production regions of this type of wines have obtained this status.

What do you understand by IPR?

Indication of Regulated Provenance. Designation used for wines which, although enjoying specific characteristics, will have to meet, in a minimum period of 5 years, all the rules established for the production of high-quality wines so as to able to move to DOC classification.

What is a Regional Wine?

The Wine Regional classification is given to table wines produced in a specific production region, whose name they adopt, being made from grapes deriving, in the proportion of at least 85%, from this same region and with grape varieties specifically recommended and authorised in the respective delimited region.

As they do not form part of the rules established for the DOC and IPR designations, these wines are also subject to a certification system so that the quality and typicity are ensured.
There are currently 13 designations of Regional Wines:

• Rio do Minho
• Trás-os-Montes
  • Sub-Region Terras Durienses
• Beiras
  • Sub-Region Beira Alta
  • Sub-Region Beira Litoral
  • Sub-Region Terras de Sicó
• Ribatejo
• Estremadura
  • Sub-Region Alta Estremadura
• Alentejo
• Terras do Sado
• Algarve