1. Key choices in affecting style, quality and price in fortified wines Flashcards
What is an example of a grape variety and two corresponding styles of fortified wine where the grape provides the main flavours to the wine?
1) Muscat.
2) Vin Doux Naturels (VDNs)/Rutherglen Muscat.
How are the fruity flavours of Muscat enhanced in the winemaking of VDNs?
Protective winemaking and early release.
Madeira is notable for what key structural attribute?
High acidity.
How is the high acidity in Madeira achieved?
It is made with a number of grape varieties that have naturally high levels of acidity including Sercial and Verdelho.
The acidity levels in Fino and Palomino is generally what level?
Low.
What three attributes of Fino and Manzanillo give the sensation of high acidity?
1) Bone-dry palate
2) Low glycerol
3) Acetaldehyde pungency
Is Port usually made from a single grape or a blend?
A blend.
To achieve a deep colour in Vintage Port, what grape varieties might be used?
Touriga Nacional
Sousao
How are the vineyards of the Douro scored (3 factors)?
1) Location
2) Aspect
3) Altitude.
What does the score of a Douro vineyard determine?
If and how much Port wine that plot of land can produce.
What style of wine does Muscat de Frontignan (Languedoc) produce when compared with Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois?
Fuller wines with riper flavours.
What altitude are the vineyards of Muscat de Frontignan (Languedoc)?
Low.
What style of wine does Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois produce?
Lighter wines with less ripe flavours.
What altitude are the vineyards of Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois?
High.
Is botrytis a desired attribute in fortified wine?
No.
When will growers of fruit destined for fortified wines seek to harvest?
Before the increased risk of rain and humidity that comes in the autumn.
In the case of Sherry made from Palomino what is most important with respect to the fruit and the timing of harvest?
Its potential alcohol and health (disease-free).
For what styles are grapes typically left on the vine for longer than would normally be required?
Rutherglen Muscat
PX
Moscatel Sherry
Why might grapes typically left on the vine for longer than would normally be required for certain styles?
To achieve the higher concentration of sugars that comes with extra maturity.
The period of maceration for fortified red wines typically lasts how long?
2-3 days.
Why is the period of maceration for fortified red wines typically short?
The wines are fortified while grape sugars remain to give a sweet final wine.
For what styles of white fortified wine might a winemaker allow the skins to remain in contact with the juice?
Madeira
Muscat-based VDNs
White Port
Why might a winemaker allow the skins to remain in contact with the juice for certain styles of white fortified wines?
To increase body and texture.
To extract more flavours.
Why is skin contact undesirable for the production of biologically aged Sherries?
The phenolic compounds can restrict the growth of flor yeast.
At what stage are dry fortified wines fortified?
Once fermentation is complete.
At what stage are sweet fortified wines fortified?
Midway through fermentation.
What two effects does fortifying a wine midway through fermentation have?
1) Raises the overall alcohol level above that at which yeasts can operate.
2) Leaves residual sugar.