Fortified Wines Flashcards
Where does Sherry come from
Jerez in Spain
What is base wine for Sherry
Palomino - white grape
Is alcohol added before or after the solera system in the making of sherry?
Before
Describe the Solera system
Old oak casks containing wines of different ages, constantly blended together to give consistency
How is Fino Sherry made?
Base wine ages under a blanket of yeast (flor). Base wine fortified to 15% before entering Solera
Describe a typical Fino Sherry
Pale lemon colour, apple/almond aroma, flavours dominated by flor (bread, biscuit)
Describe a typical Oloroso Sherry
Brown, fortified to 17% (no yeast can survive), aged oxidatively - raisins, prunes, caramel
Describe a typical Amontillado Sherry
Between Fino and Oloroso. Deep in colour. Ages under Flor then fortified to 17% (kills flor) and then oxidative - has flavours of both Fino and Oloroso.
What is the term to describe a Sherry that has been sweeted with a sweetening component
Pale cream
What terms are usually used for a sweetened Oloroso or Amontillo Sherry?
Medium and Cream
Describe a PX (Pedro Ximinez) Sherry
Sweet, made from white Pedro Ximinez grapes concentrated in the sun. Then fortified and aged oxidatively in Solera - black in colour, dried fruit
Where does Port come from
Douro Portugal
Describe how Port is made
Rapidly extract colour and tannin from skin (foot treading)
Fermentation interrupted by adding grape spirit (stops ferment, makes sweet high alcohol wine)
Matured
Describe Ruby Port style
Deeply coloured, fruity
After fortification they are aged in oak casks or steel tank
Cooked black fruit (cherry, blackberry) and pepper
What is the difference between a Reserve Ruby Port and a Late Bottled Vintage Port
LBV Port must be made from wines from a single vintage
