Douro Valley 1961 Vintage Report
For much of the season, 1961 looked destined for greatness in Douro Valley, until the elements conspired against it in the final weeks.
Spring was steady if unremarkable, with the vines navigating the vulnerable flowering stage without major incident.
The growing season was solar and generous. Accumulating 2173 Growing Degree Days (GDD), the summer provided consistent warmth that drove steady sugar accumulation.
The finale was fraught with tension. A deluge of 90mm during the harvest period forced an expedited picking schedule to mitigate botrytis risks, rewarding those who sorted ruthlessly.
**Style:** Powerful but variable, with the best wines balancing the heat with careful selection.
About Douro Valley
A UNESCO site of dramatic, terraced slopes along the Douro River. Originally famous for Port, it now produces some of Portugal's most concentrated and elegant dry red wines from indigenous grapes.
Climatic Blueprint
Growing Degree Days (GDD)
Total Rainfall
Sunshine Hours
Diurnal Shift
Frost Days
Average Temperature
Historical Context (2 Years)
Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.
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