Viticulture evolution in Douro region after 70th of twenty century

Abstract

Viticulture and winemaking is an ancient activity in Douro Valley region which had experimented one first significant boost in the XII century by the monks from the Cister religious order and one second and more important expansion in the beginning of the XVIII century with the start of wine exportation for England. The great expansion of winemaking and wine trade, has justified the foundation of the Demarcated Region of Douro in the year of 1756 with precise geographic limits, regulations for viticulture, vinification and marketing techniques. As a result of the crisis in the second half of the XIX century (downy-mildew, powdery-mildew and phyloxera) it was introduced several adjustments to the traditional viticulture practiced in the Region, but it was only in the decade of 70 of the XX century, that were gradually introduced important changes in its modernization due to the needs of mechanization and reduction of production costs. We report for this particular period the major innovations in viticulture techniques and respective adjustments done in the different vineyards implantation systems on terraces compatibles with the mechanization and rationalization of the growing crop operations.