Chapter 17: Key Styles of Sparkling and Fortified Wines:

Question 1

What are the two main methods of producing sparkling wine?

Answer 1

Traditional method and tank method.

Question 2

What are the key characteristics of Champagne?

Answer 2

High acidity, complex flavors (apple, citrus, bread, biscuit), made using the traditional method.

Question 3

What are the main grape varieties used in Champagne?

Answer 3

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

Question 4

What is Prosecco, and how is it made?

Answer 4

A sparkling wine from Italy made using the tank method, with flavors of pear and apple.

Question 5

What are the key characteristics of Cava?

Answer 5

A dry sparkling wine from Spain made using the traditional method, with flavors of citrus and apple.

Question 6

What grape is used to make Asti sparkling wine in Italy?

Answer 6

Moscato (Muscat).

Question 7

What is the key difference between Asti and Prosecco?

Answer 7

Asti is sweet and low in alcohol, while Prosecco is typically dry or off-dry.

Question 8

What are the key characteristics of English sparkling wine?

Answer 8

High acidity, flavors of green apple, citrus, and toast, often made using the traditional method.

Question 9

What is the purpose of fortification in wine?

Answer 9

To increase alcohol content by adding a distilled spirit, either during or after fermentation.

Question 10

What are the main styles of Sherry?

Answer 10

Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX).

Question 11

What are the key characteristics of Fino Sherry?

Answer 11

Dry, pale in color, with flavors of almonds and bread, aged under flor.

Question 12

What makes Amontillado Sherry different from Fino?

Answer 12

Amontillado starts as a Fino but is aged without flor, developing nutty and caramel flavors.

Question 13

What are the characteristics of Oloroso Sherry?

Answer 13

Full-bodied, darker in color, with flavors of walnuts and caramel, aged oxidatively.

Question 14

What is Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry?

Answer 14

A very sweet Sherry made from dried Pedro Ximénez grapes, with flavors of dried fruit and molasses.

Question 15

What are the main styles of Port?

Answer 15

Ruby Port, Reserve Ruby, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), Vintage Port, Tawny Port.

Question 16

What are the characteristics of Ruby Port?

Answer 16

Youthful, fruity, with flavors of red and black fruit (cherry, blackberry).

Question 17

How does Tawny Port differ from Ruby Port?

Answer 17

Tawny Port is aged in oak, developing oxidative flavors like nuts, caramel, and dried fruit.

Question 18

What is the difference between Vintage Port and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What is Madeira, and what makes it unique?

Answer 19

A fortified wine from Madeira, Portugal, known for its high acidity and oxidative, caramelized flavors.

Question 20

What are the four main styles of Madeira?

Answer 20

Sercial (dry), Verdelho (medium-dry), Bual (medium-sweet), Malmsey (sweet).

Question 21

What is Rutherglen Muscat, and where is it produced?

Answer 21

A sweet fortified wine from Australia, made with late-harvest Muscat grapes.

Question 22

What are the key characteristics of Rutherglen Muscat?

Answer 22

Full-bodied, intensely sweet, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and dried fruit.

Question 23

What type of food pairs well with Fino Sherry?

Answer 23

Salty foods like olives, almonds, or cured ham.

Question 24

What food pairs best with sweet fortified wines like PX Sherry?

Answer 24

Desserts, such as vanilla ice cream or sticky toffee pudding.

Question 25

What type of cheese pairs well with Tawny Port?

Answer 25

Blue cheese or nutty, aged cheeses.