Fortified Wine Flashcards
What is Fortified Wine?
Fortified wines are base wines that have high proof, neutral grape brandy added to increase alcoholic strength to 15-22%. The purpose of fortifying wine is to add body and increase the wine’s ability to age.
Timing of Fortification
Fortified before fermentation:
-No alcohol is created from the fermentation of the base winev (e.g. vins doux naturel)
Fortified during fermentation:
-This stops the action of yeast retaining residual sugar in the wine (e.g. port, madeira)
Fortified after fermentation:
-Boosts alcohol levels; a dry wine is most often produced (e.g. sherry)
Sherry History
Sherry, also known as Jerez or Xeres, is regarded as one of the world’s best fortified wines. It became one of the frist protected Spanish appellations in 1933.
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Geography
Jerez is located in Andalusia on the Atlantic Coast near the tip of North Africa
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Climate
- Hot and windy
- Cooling maritime-influence from the Atlantic
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Soil Type
Albariza:
-the most prized soil composed of white chalky clay. This soil reflect sunglight up to the vines and retains water during the summer heat.
Barros:
-brown-colored clay
Arenas:
-sand
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Grape Varietals
White:
- Palomino
- —major grape for all quality styles of Sherry
- —95% of all plantings
- Pedro Ximenez (PX) and Moscatel
- —mainly used for blending, adding sweetness and color
- —these grapes can also be found as sweet varietal wines
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Vinification
Base Wine Production:
-For most Sherry styles, the base wine is a neutral, dry, white wine from the Palomino grape
Fortification:
- For dry styles of Sherry, fortification occurs after fermentation
- The degree of fortification depends on the style of Sherry being made
- Wines are fortified gently with a mixture of grape spirit and mature Sherry wine
Flor
In barrels of Sherry, a film of yeast (Saccharomyces) grows on the surface of the maturing wine and acts like a protective blanket preventing oxidation and spoilage
