Class 6 - Wines of Portugal and Southern Italy Flashcards
What is Portugal famous for in terms of wine?
Sweet wines
Portugal is renowned for its production of sweet wines, particularly Port.
What are wine legs?
Droplets of wine that form on the inside of a wine glass
Wine legs are an example of the Gibbs-Marangoni Effect, resulting from fluid surface tension caused by evaporation.
What phenomenon causes wine legs to form?
Gibbs-Marangoni Effect
This effect occurs due to fluid surface tension changes caused by evaporation during wine swirling.
What factors affect the rate at which wine legs form?
Temperature and humidity
The environment greatly influences the evaporation rate, impacting the formation of wine legs.
What is fortified wine?
Wine to which distilled spirits are added during or after fermentation
Adding spirits before fermentation would kill the yeast.
What are pot stills used for?
Distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy
Pot stills conduct batch distillation by applying heat directly to the wash or wine.
At what temperature does alcohol boil at sea level?
78 °C (172 °F)
This is lower than the boiling point of water, which is 100 °C (212 °F).
What is the strength of low wines produced in pot still distillation?
About 25-35% alcohol by volume
Low wines are the initial distillation product before further distillation.
How many DOCs (Denominação de Origem Controlada) are there in Portugal?
31
Technically, there are 31 DOCs, but 3 of them overlap, making it seem like there are 28.
What does Vinho Regional (or IGP) signify?
Less strict rules for grape types and yields
This classification allows for more creative wine production compared to DOC.
What are the main styles of Port wine?
Ruby, Tawny, White, Rosé
Ruby Port includes Vintage and LBV, while Tawny is barrel-aged for oxidative flavors.
What is Madeira wine known for?
Nutty flavors and a range from dry to fully sweet
Madeira is produced on a tropical island and is similar to Sherry.
What is Vinho Verde?
Light, tart, affordable, fizzy wines
They are called “verde” because they are picked underripe and can be pink, white, or red.
What grape is Vinho Verde made from in Portugal?
Alvarinho
This grape is known as Albarino in Spain’s Galicia region.
What is the significance of Porto in relation to Port wine?
It is the city at the mouth of the Douro river where Port is produced
Porto became a protected area in 1756, making it the oldest wine appellation.
What happens to the yeast when distilled spirits are added during fermentation?
The yeast is killed, leaving residual sugar
This results in high alcohol and sweet wines.
What types of wines are produced in the Alentejo region? (Portugal)
Riper, stronger wines, typically dry reds
These wines are labeled by grape variety.
How long can a Ruby-style Port stay fresh once opened?
About 2 weeks
It can last a month if preserved properly in the fridge.
What is the basic classification of Portuguese table wine?
Vinho
This is the most basic category and is typically not seen outside of Portugal.
What grape varieties are commonly used in Port wine?
Tinta and Touriga varieties
These are native to Portugal and are often blended.
What is Porto known for?
Porto is known as the oldest protected area for wine, established in 1756.
What are the two major types of Ports?
Barrel aged and bottle aged.
What is Tawny Port made from?
Tawny Ports are made from red grapes and aged in wood barrels.
What does aging in barrels do to Tawny Port?
It exposes the wine to slow oxidation and evaporation.
