MINORSENS, a look at the Spanish-Portuguese border
The Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) Program (2021-2027) approved the MINORSENS project (Valuing endangered grape varieties by improving bioprocesses, optimizing bioactive compounds, and using electronic methods to characterize must and wine) that seeks to characterize minority grapes, musts, and wines from regions of Castilla y León and Portugal. Its objective is to gather information and advance in the identification and characterization of minority grape varieties in danger of extinction, with the aim of enhancing them and offering them to the public, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the cross-border wine sector and the protection of its biodiversity.
The project’s working methodology is based on the execution of several activities, including:
– Providing grape samples of minority varieties.
– Carrying out microvinifications of these varieties.
– Taking samples of musts and wines.
– Characterizing the samples by sensory, physical-chemical, and bioelectronic methods (electronic tongues and noses).
– Extracting and determining the bioactive compounds present in the grapes, musts, and wines.
– Evaluating the biological activity of the extracts.
– Developing intelligent systems for controlling the fermentation process.
– Training and disseminating knowledge to the wine sector and society in general.
Download brochure about the MINORSENS Project
The Ribera del Duero: a river that unites our territories
The Ribera del Duero unites Spanish and Portuguese territories along more than 700 kilometers (about 435 miles). It flows through lands with a great wine tradition in both countries: Spain and Portugal.
In Spain, we can find the Ribera de Duero wine region, which is characterized by a high plateau with an average altitude of 800 meters (about 2,625 feet) above sea level, with vines planted between 750 and 950 meters (about 2,460 to 3,117 feet) above sea level. The main grape variety planted there is Tempranillo (also known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País), which accounts for more than 95% of the vineyard surface. The production of robust red wines with a long aging potential is dominant, while the region also produces rosé and limited white wines.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, the Douro River continues its course to give rise to the Douro wine region, the oldest demarcated and regulated wine-growing region in the world since 1756. It is a region of great natural beauty characterized by an extreme climate, with vineyards on steep terraces with slate soils. In contrast to Spain, Portugal grows several autochthonous grape varieties in this region, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (which is the same as Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca. In addition to the famous Port wines (fortified), the Douro also produces high-quality unfortified red and white wines under the Douro appellation.
This is why we can say that the Duero/Douro is a river that has shaped not only the landscape but also the culture, history, and economy of these Spanish and Portuguese territories along its course.
Two countries, one obsession: native grapes
Both Spain and Portugal have a strong focus on preserving and promoting their native grape varieties and are carrying out extensive research in this area. Both countries have a rich wine heritage with numerous autochthonous varieties, many of which are found in regions along their shared border.
Wine regions like Douro, Dão, and Alentejo in Portugal are known for varieties like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Baga. For its part, Spain is home to numerous native varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, or Verdejo.
In general, both countries, as members of the European Union, follow similar regulations in terms of wine production and certification, although each has its own specific designations and categories.
Graph of grape varieties in Portugal in red and white
For more information: http://minorsens.eu
