1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

The Vineyards and Vines of the Alto Douro.

91

MOITBISCO AND TODBlaA VINES IN THE QUINTA DO NOTAi.

below than above the Eiver Corgo,there are two varieties, th.e pe de perdiz, or partridge foot,and the pe branco,or white foot, the fii-st being one of the best grapes grown in Portugal. It is of an oval shape, scarcely black in colour, soft, decidedly sweet, yet possessing an agreeable acidity, and will yield as mnch as 62 per cent, of its weight in must containing upwards of 26 per cent, of sugar. The sweetest grape of all, however, is the bastardo, also extremely prevalent in the Lower Corgo district. The bunches of this variety—which ripens early are very compact, the fruit being hard to the touch, and containing plenty of pulp. It yields 51 per cent, of a fine pinkish must containing more than 29 per cent, of sugar. The species of vine known as the cornifesto has the pecu liarity of throwing outalong its branchesa number of productive offshoots. Its fruit possesses the usual characteristics of the Alto Douro grapes, being thick-skinned, sweet, and pulpy, whilst the yield in must and sugar is of a fair average. The variety known as the bona da mina is noted for its delicious flavour; and the donzellino do castello, a bluish-black grape.