(Portuguese) A 77% alcohol spirit distilled from the grape solids left after pressing.  The aguardente used to fortify Port is colourless and flavourless, and the IVDP must approve the spirit to be used each year.  Note that the word is also can refer to some Portuguese brandy or marc-like liquors which are meant for drinking.

(Portuguese) Immense wooden cask(s) built to stand upright, typically sized to hold thousands or even tens of thousands of litres.  Used for ageing wines when we wish to minimise the effects of wood and micro-oxygenation.

(French) This is a measure of the dissolved sugars in grape must, and is a good indicator of the ultimate alcohol and sugar levels of a wine (in the case of port – before fortification).  The baumé of the grapes is one of several indicators monitored closely to determine the ideal time to begin the harvest.

(French) This is a measure of the dissolved sugars in grape must, and is a good indicator of the ultimate alcohol and sugar levels of a wine (in the case of port – before fortification).  The baumé of the grapes is one of several indicators monitored closely to determine the ideal time to begin the harvest.

(Portuguese)   The IVDP (see below) regulates the quantity of port to be made in order to stabilise the market and pricing.  Every August they announce the beneficio – effectively a certificate or license issued to each grower authorising them to produce a certain amount of port.  The amount of the beneficio is determined based on many factors, suc [..]

(Portuguese)  A depression (s) created around the base of a newly planted vine, which will help channel any water towards the roots of the plant.

(Portuguese)  The property manager or bailiff; Sr Arlindo is the caseiro at Quinta dos Malvedos.

(Portuguese) Variety (ies) of grapes

(Portuguese) Harvest(s) or crop(s), also the gathering or picking of the crop.  Often you will see barrels in our Lodge marked, for example, “Colheita 1935”  in which case it means simply the harvest of 1935.  The word has been adopted by some port producers to designate an old single-harvest tawny port aged in pipas.

(Portuguese)  Winemaker(s)