A man bends down to inspect grapes on a dirt path between rows of vineyards, with terraced hills in the background

Wine facts

Wine tells stories, keeps secrets and reveals curiosities. We share some of our favorites that make each tasting even more special.

Vineyard secrets: where it all begins

The essence of wine begins on the land, with the selection of grape varieties, the care of the vines and the passion of the winemakers. Discover surprising facts about the world of the vine and its curiosities.

The Douro landscape reveals terraced vineyards along steep slopes, with the river winding in the background, and men working with horses among the grapevines

Did you know that vineyards are usually planted on hillsides?

Vineyards planted on hillsides benefit from better drainage and greater exposure to the sun.

A person carefully prunes a grapevine with pruning shears, focusing on the vine in the foreground

Did you know that pruning vines is essential for controlling grape production?

Pruning balances the plant's vegetation with its fertility and therefore helps to produce more balanced grapes for quality wines.

A path flanked by vineyards and red flowers extends along a hillside, with terraced vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see on the horizon

Did you know that some vineyards use 'mulch' between the rows of vines?

Mulch helps to control erosion, recycle nutrients in the soil and attract beneficial organisms.

A dirt path winds through rows of vineyards and green grass, with a dense forest in the background

Did you know that vines hibernate like bears?

That's right! The cold induces dormancy in the plant which only resumes its full activity when the heat returns in spring.

Bunches of ripe green grapes hang from a grapevine, with other rows of vines blurred in the background, under the sunlight

Did you know that the vine is one of the most varied fruit trees?

Very many indeed. There are more than 10,000 varieties in the world, 343 of which can be used in Portugal to make wine.

A vineyard with red flowers and a large oak tree prominently in the background, under a luminous sky

Did you know that the vineyard is an ecosystem?

It is a biological community with organisms that interact with each other and with the physical environment.

A grapevine inflorescence with flowers and very young green grapes

Did you know that vines are hermaphrodites?

Indeed! Man has domesticated vines with both male and female flowers, allowing for self-fertilization and guaranteeing good harvests.

Interested in unraveling the mysteries of wine?

This is just a taste of what you can learn in our courses.

Come and speak "Vinhese" with us

The world of wine has its own vocabulary, which can seem intimidating. We demystify "vinhês" and give you the tools to talk about wine with confidence.

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Acidity

Acidity is an essential component of wine, giving it freshness and liveliness. Wines with good acidity are generally more balanced and gastronomic. All wines have acidity.

Balsamic

Aromas present in wine that are reminiscent of incense, resins or vegetable balms. It is a noble aroma.

Blind tasting

It has nothing to do with sight. A tasting is said to be blind only when the taster is unaware of the wine they are tasting - brand, region, year, etc.

Champagne

Champagne refers exclusively to sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France; the name is protected worldwide. Say Sparkling when referring to other regions. Example: Cava is a sparkling wine.

Full-bodied

It characterizes a wine with a lot of volume/body in the mouth.

Jeroboam

Three-liter bottle, equivalent to four regular bottles (Champagne), to 4.5 liters, or six regular bottles (Bordeaux) depending on the region.

Naked

It refers to a wine without color, open. It is sometimes used as a synonym for deprived, punished by treatment.

PDO (or DOC)

Protected Designation of Origin. PDO is the Community designation adopted for wine products whose originality and individuality are inextricably linked to a particular region, place or traditional appellation, and whose specific quality or characteristics are due to the geographical environment, natural and human factors. These products are subject to specific control rules aimed at guaranteeing authenticity and quality and can be labelled as DOC. Protected Designations of Origin for European wine products are part of a single Community register.’

Socalco

Terraced cultivation is carried out on earthen platforms supported by small walls on sloping land (suitable for growing vines).

Table wine

Say "wine" or "still wine" (after all, they're all table wines...).

Decomplicate wine vocabulary and learn to speak with confidence

This is just a taste of what you can learn in our courses.

Serve like a pro: tips for making the most of wine

Serving wine correctly is essential to bring out its aromas and flavors. Discover SWA's tips for serving wine like a true professional and impressing your guests.

Wine Experiences

A tray with several wine glasses, most filled with a golden beverage, is being carried

Port wine: serve chilled!

The temperature at which the wine is served influences its enjoyment. Port is best served chilled to bring out its most delicate aromas and flavors. Try it!

an old, dusty wine bottle on a table, with blurred bottles in the background

Did you know that sometimes you "slice" a bottle?

The prolonged ageing of a wine in a bottle can weaken the cork that seals it. Prying the bottle by the neck allows you to open it without breaking fragile or glued corks, and avoids stirring up the natural lees formed over the years, which can cloud the wine. And it's spectacular!

Several glasses with different types of wine (red, white, rosé, and sparkling) are arranged on a reflective surface.

Is there a right glass for every wine?

The design of the glass influences the way the wine expresses itself. Closer glasses hold more fresh and youthful aromas, while more open glasses release more complex aromas by allowing more aeration.

image shows someone pouring red wine into a glass decanter, with bottles in the background

Decanting: what is it for?

Decanting (i.e. carefully transferring the wine from the original bottle to the serving bottle) allows you to enjoy the wine in good condition. The visual appearance is clear and attractive (separated from the lees formed in the bottle) and the wine is aerated, revealing its aromatic richness.

A hand holds a red wine glass, which is being swirled, in a tasting or event setting

Did you know that you shouldn't shake a glass of wine as soon as it's poured?

Shaking a wine releases aromas, but can disguise some not so good ones. Smelling the wine before shaking it gives a first impression which, followed by gentle shaking and tasting, allows you to assess whether it is in good condition to be served and enjoyed.

three wine bottles on a table, with black glasses and small snacks on plates

Did you know that some tastings take place in completely black glasses?

The visual appearance of a wine gives clues to its identity. Tasting in black glasses avoids falling into supposition and conjecture by focusing all attention on smell and taste. It's challenging, but fun!

A row of wine glasses, with shades ranging from white to red, is lined up on a wooden surface

The right order for wine tasting

A tasting with multiple wines should start with the lightest, most delicate and with the least alcohol, and progress to wines with more body, alcohol and sweetness. This sequence, interspersed with water, allows you to better appreciate each wine without saturating your senses.

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