The Blauer Portugieser is identical with the Português Azul, but probably originates in Austria. Most of its plantings can be found in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria).
Parentage
Blauer Portugieser is probably a crossing between Sbulzina and Sylvaner. It is identical to the “Português Azul” variety in Portugal.
Vineyard area
Grows mainly in Niederösterreich but is significantly declining in importance. The total area planted with this variety increased steadily between 1999 and 2020.
Important ampelographic features
Leaf
circular, with five to seven lobes
Grape cluster
medium-sized, densely berried, cone-shaped, shouldered, sometimes with small secondary clusters; berries are oval and bluish black in colour
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
Blauer Portugieser is a key variety in the Thermenregion and the north-western Weinviertel. Its susceptibility to winter frost, botrytis, oidium and Peronospora makes cultivation more challenging.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Characteristics of the wine
Higher yields result in simple, pale red wines that mature quickly and age prematurely. In good vintages, yield restriction enables Blauer Portugieser to deliver dense, extract-rich red wines.
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism according to IACS (as at 31 May 2022)
