Chapter 17: Key Styles of Sparkling and Fortified Wines: Flashcards
What are the two main methods of producing sparkling wine?
Traditional method and tank method.
What are the key characteristics of Champagne?
High acidity, complex flavors (apple, citrus, bread, biscuit), made using the traditional method.
What are the main grape varieties used in Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.
What is Prosecco, and how is it made?
A sparkling wine from Italy made using the tank method, with flavors of pear and apple.
What are the key characteristics of Cava?
A dry sparkling wine from Spain made using the traditional method, with flavors of citrus and apple.
What grape is used to make Asti sparkling wine in Italy?
Moscato (Muscat).
What is the key difference between Asti and Prosecco?
Asti is sweet and low in alcohol, while Prosecco is typically dry or off-dry.
What are the key characteristics of English sparkling wine?
High acidity, flavors of green apple, citrus, and toast, often made using the traditional method.
What is the purpose of fortification in wine?
To increase alcohol content by adding a distilled spirit, either during or after fermentation.
What are the main styles of Sherry?
Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX).
What are the key characteristics of Fino Sherry?
Dry, pale in color, with flavors of almonds and bread, aged under flor.
What makes Amontillado Sherry different from Fino?
Amontillado starts as a Fino but is aged without flor, developing nutty and caramel flavors.
What are the characteristics of Oloroso Sherry?
Full-bodied, darker in color, with flavors of walnuts and caramel, aged oxidatively.
What is Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry?
A very sweet Sherry made from dried Pedro Ximénez grapes, with flavors of dried fruit and molasses.
What are the main styles of Port?
Ruby Port, Reserve Ruby, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), Vintage Port, Tawny Port.
What are the characteristics of Ruby Port?
Youthful, fruity, with flavors of red and black fruit (cherry, blackberry).
How does Tawny Port differ from Ruby Port?
Tawny Port is aged in oak, developing oxidative flavors like nuts, caramel, and dried fruit.
What is the difference between Vintage Port and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port?
Vintage Port: Produced from the best grapes of a single year, suitable for long aging.
LBV Port: Made from a single vintage but aged in barrels and ready to drink when bottled.
What is Madeira, and what makes it unique?
A fortified wine from Madeira, Portugal, known for its high acidity and oxidative, caramelized flavors.
What are the four main styles of Madeira?
Sercial (dry), Verdelho (medium-dry), Bual (medium-sweet), Malmsey (sweet).
What is Rutherglen Muscat, and where is it produced?
A sweet fortified wine from Australia, made with late-harvest Muscat grapes.
What are the key characteristics of Rutherglen Muscat?
Full-bodied, intensely sweet, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and dried fruit.
What type of food pairs well with Fino Sherry?
Salty foods like olives, almonds, or cured ham.
What food pairs best with sweet fortified wines like PX Sherry?
Desserts, such as vanilla ice cream or sticky toffee pudding.
What type of cheese pairs well with Tawny Port?
Blue cheese or nutty, aged cheeses.
