25. Fortified Wines

Question 1

Fortified Wines | What is the Solera system?

Answer 1

It’s a system of old-oak casks w wines of different ages that are continually blended together while they age.

Question 2

Fortified Wines | Which are the three more important dry sherry styles?

Answer 2

Fino, Oloroso and Amontillado.

Question 3

Fortified Wines | Describe the Fino Sherry style:

Answer 3

It’s a fortified wine at least until 15%, that mature in the solera system with the “flor”. It’s typically pale lemon with apple and almonds flavors plus the flavors add from the flor, like bred dough and biscuit.

Question 4

Fortified Wines | Describe the Oloroso Sherry style:

Answer 4

The oloroso it’s fortified in 17% alcohol. It means that it goes to the solera system but the flor will die because of the high percentage of alcohol. It means the wine will have a oxidative ageing, providing brown color, dried fruits notes and oxidative notes like caramel.

Question 5

Fortified Wines | Describe the Amontillado Sherry style:

Answer 5

Amontilladonits between Fino and Oloroso. Because it’s starts the process in the solera with the flor and later it’s refortified, with alcohol arround 17%. Resulting in a wine with the both notes. Biscuit, bred dough, caramel.

Question 6

Fortified Wines | What it’s the “flor” in the Sherry process?

Answer 6

A thick white layer of yeasts that are formed in the surface of the wine, and protects it from oxygen.

Question 7

Fortified Wines | Name the styles of deer Sherry wines:

Answer 7

Pale cream for sweetened Fino
Medium
Cream
For oloroso and amontillado
PX

Question 8

Fortified Wines | Why it’s PX Sherry different from the other styles os Sherry wines?

Answer 8

Because it’s made with the grape Pedro Ximénez that was concentrated with sun drying. It’s then fortified and goes to the solera system ageing oxidatively, resulting in a wine almost black in color with pronounced dried fruit flavor.

Question 9

Fortified Wines | Name de different styles of Port Wine:

Answer 9

Ruby
Reserve Ruby
Late bottle vintage (lbv)
Vintage
Tawny

Question 10

Fortified Wines | what’s the difference between LBV and Vintage Port Wines?

Answer 10

The Vintage port wine it’s only made in highly exceptional vintages and can age for at least 20 years.

Question 11

Fortified Wines | Why tawny port it’s so different from the other styles?

Answer 11

Because it has oxidative ageing. Devolving a more complex, rustic flavor, with dried fruits, walnuts, caramel and coffee flavors.