Fortified and Desert Wines

Question 1

What are the climate and weather characteristics of Jerez?

Answer 1

A hot mediterranean climate with high rainfall

Question 2

What are the 3 main grapes in Sherry?

Answer 2

Pedro Ximenez, Muscat of Alexandria, and Palomino

Question 3

What soil is present in Jerez and what are its characteristics?

Answer 3

Albariza - with high chalk content, that drains well, and has excellent water holding capacity

Question 4

What is flor?

Answer 4

A film-forming yeast that grows on the surface of wine

Question 5

Which town gives Sherry it name?

Answer 5

Jerez de la Frontera

Question 6

As well as Jerez de la Frontera, name the 2 smaller seaside towns where Sherry can be produced.

Answer 6

1. Sanlucar de Barrameda
2. El Puerto de Santa Maria

Question 7

What is the name of the prevailing cool humid westerly wind in Jerez?

Answer 7

Poniente

Question 8

What is the name of the prevailing dry hot easterly wind in Jerez?

Answer 8

Levante

Question 9

Why does the Levante wind pose an issue to vines?

Answer 9

It’s a hot wind, increasing temps, causing stress to the vines and damaging the grapes.

Question 10

In order to maximize the amount of water retained by the Albariza soil, what do growers commonly do?

Answer 10

Rectangular puts are dug between rows of vines after harvest, to trap water and reduce run-off

Question 11

What characteristics of the Palomino grape make it ideal for the production of Sherry?

Answer 11

Naturally low in acid and lacks obvious varietal aromatics

Question 12

Why is PX suited to being sun-dried?

Answer 12

It has naturally thin skins

Question 13

Name the region where PX is known for being successfully cultivated?

Answer 13

Montilla-Moriles

Question 14

What is the ABV% of the spirit used to fortify wines for Sherry?

Answer 14

95%

Question 15

What is the term for the period of time a new sherry wine spends before it goes into the solera?

Answer 15

The Sobretabla

Question 16

Sherry wines fortified to 15-15.5% are destined for what kind of aging?

Answer 16

Biological Aging

Question 17

Why is the period of the sobratabla particularly important for producers of Fino Sherries?

Answer 17

It gives the producer time to evaluate and ensure the flor is growing correctly.

Question 18

Sherry destined for oxidative aging is fortified to what % ABV?

Answer 18

17%

Question 19

Sherry’s famed system of maturation is known as what?

Answer 19

The solera System

Question 20

What is a Butt?

Answer 20

An oak barrel

Question 21

What size is a Sherry butt?

Answer 21

600 liters

Question 22

What 3 things helped to maintain the correct maturation environment in the traditional bodegas?

Answer 22

1) Thick white-washed walls;
2) Windows facing towards the cooling poniente wind;
3) Earth floors kept damp

Question 23

Are Soleras used for biological or oxidative aging?

Answer 23

Used for both oxidative and biological aging

Question 24

Different levels in a Solera System are know as what?

Answer 24

Criaderas

Question 25

What is the difference between a Solera and a Solera System?

Answer 25

"Solera System" is made up of many layers of barrels called Criadera. The bottom Criadera is called the "Solera"

Question 26

For flor to thrive it needs precise levels of what 3 things?

Answer 26

1. Alcohol 2. Temp 3. Humidity

Question 27

How is an Amontillado Sherry aged?

Answer 27

Biologically under flor and then oxidatively

Question 28

What aromas are associated with Manzanilla Sherry?

Answer 28

Citrus, almonds, herbs and Bread

Question 29

'Tangy' and 'Salty' are terms used to describe which 2 styles of Sherry?

Answer 29

Fino and Manzanilla

Question 30

What style of rare Sherry has the aromas of an Amontillado with the body and richness of an Oloroso?

Answer 30

Palo Cortado

Question 31

Which two towns are involved in Port production?

Answer 31

Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia

Question 32

What is a quinta?

Answer 32

A winemaking estate in Portugal

Question 33

The Port vineyard area is divided into 3 sub-regions. Name them?

Answer 33

1. Baixo Corgo 2. Cima Corgo 3. Douro Superior

Question 34

which of the 3 Port sub-regions is home to the greatest number of top Vineyards?

Answer 34

Cima Corgo

Question 35

Which of the 3 sub-regions produces the lightest wines?

Answer 35

Baixo Corgo (closest to the Atlantic)

Question 36

Which of the 3 sub-regions is sparsely planted but renowned for quality production?

Answer 36

Douro Superior

Question 37

What are Socalcos?

Answer 37

Narrow terraced vineyards, supported by stone walls

Question 38

What is the advantage of Patamares over a Socalcos terraced vineyard?

Answer 38

Patamares are wide enough to enable tractor access, thus mechanical harvesting is possible and therefore cheaper

Question 39

What are the 5 preferred grapes used in the production of Port?

Answer 39

Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Cao

Question 40

What was the traditional extraction method used in the production of Port?

Answer 40

Foot treading

Question 41

Most Ports are typically transported downstream where for maturation?

Answer 41

Vila Nova de Gaia

Question 42

What is the name of the spirit used to fortify the wine in the production of Port?

Answer 42

Aguardente

Question 43

Why is Port taken to Vila Nova de Gaia to mature?

Answer 43

It has a cooler coastal climate, better suited for slower port maturation

Question 44

What is the maximum permitted ABV % of the agardente in Port production?

Answer 44

77%

Question 45

Which Ports are usually labelled 10, 20, 30, or 40 years old?

Answer 45

Tawny Ports with indication of age

Question 46

When must a Port producer register their intention to release a Vintage Port?

Answer 46

In the 2nd year after the harvest

Question 47

When must a Port producer bottle their Vintage Port?

Answer 47

No later than the 3rd year after harvest

Question 48

What aging requirement is applied to Reserve Tawny Ports?

Answer 48

A minimum of 6 years in wood

Question 49

What levels of acidity would you usually associate with Fortified Muscats?

Answer 49

Low to medium

Question 50

Fortified Muscats are made in 2 main styles. What are they?

Answer 50

Youthful & unaged or fully developed after extended aging

Question 51

Give a notable example of a luscious sweet youthful unaged fortified Muscat?

Answer 51

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Question 52

Which region does Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise come from?

Answer 52

Rhone Valley

Question 53

Which region do you associate some of the most celebrated styles of luscious, fully-developed aged Fortified Muscats?

Answer 53

Rutherglen, Australia