Port wine is well known throughout the world, either for its unmistakable flavor due to incomplete fermentation or its production process, with the vineyards planted along the Douro River, creating a landscape recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO (LINK). The thing not everyone knows is that the installation technique of this plant may be simpler than it seems.
There are several shrub plants that are called vines. They also have different popular names such as vine or vineyard... Among others! The best known of the genus Vitis is a twisted and flexible climbing vine with large, green leaves.
In the Botanic Garden of Porto, more specifically in the Garden of the Schist, a construction of vines like those of the surroundings of the Douro is being created. In this space, a bard, a system of vineyard management, with about 1,5m was implanted so that one can show there the techniques of pruning and construction of the vineyard, along with bringing people to this tradition that has been lost ... The bard allows the mechanized and simplified treatment of the vine. The biggest inconvenience is due to the excessive pruning that the system implies, giving rise to vegetative and productive imbalances.
"Everybody likes Port wine, but this part of knowing how to do it has been lost. Our idea is to bring this here, so people can get there and get to know the Touriga Nacional, this grape variety, what type of leaf is, how does the grape ripen, have this proximity, "said Joana Tinoco, a biologist at the Jardim Botânico , who told us about this project.
In the Garden of the Schist are made the traditional techniques of installation of bards in the Douro. The stone is used so that several stalks are placed on top, so that later they were able to hang some wires. Thus, the vines will grow to the first wire and set. After that, the next growth will be up to the inside of two other wires, which have a third and fourth anchorages that prevent the vine from falling forward or backward. After the vine grows and covers the wires, creating a large foliage. The idea is that, after about five years, the Shale Garden has all its bards covered. Done that way, the vines are of a more practical height to be harvested.
A simple and fun way to learn how the culture of a product so famous of the city of Porto happens! For wine lovers, the Garden of the Schist in the Botanical Garden is one with place to increase the knowledge before going through the cellars and taste the delicious Port Wine.
Written by: Matheus Rabelo
Translated by: Luiza Macedo
Photo by: Júlia Aguiar
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