Fortified wines-Ch. 7 Flashcards
Traditionally what was the purpose of making fortified wines?
Allowed the wine to last much longer without spoiling for long sailing trips.
When was fortified wines most popular? and while was there a decline in popularity?
12-19th centuries…they declined in popularity b/c of the worlds change in palate from high to lower alcoholic wines.
The differences in fortified wines are based on what (3) things?
(1) What grapes are used, (2) When does fortification take place, (3) How long is it aged.
What is the difference in the fortification timing b/t Sherries and Ports?
Sherries-fortified after fermentation….Ports fortified either before or during fermentation.
What is the term for adding alcohol to a wine before or while it is still fermenting and still has a significant amt. of sugar in it?
Mutage
What is the common characteristic of grape varieties that are used to make sweet fortified wines?
They have high sugar levels
What can be done to help a grape produce higher sugar level if grown in a cold climate?
(1) Pick them late-harvested….(2) allow to dry for a period of time after harvest
Usually the fermentation of sweet fortified wines are stopped at what sugar levels?
18-20%
At what alcohol level is needed to kill off the yeast quickly during the production of sweet fortified wines?
18-20%
Gove 2 examples of sweet fortified wines that are aged in a warm-to-hot environment? and why is that done?
Madeiras and Rutherglen Muscats…….it removes any heat-unstable compounds and essentially makes the wine indestructible.
When is the blending process in sweet fortified wines?
A few months to several years after the aging process.
True sherry comes from what region and country?
Jerez in the south of Spain.
Give another region in the south of Spain besides Jerez that is known for making Sherrys?
Montilla-Moriles
What is the name for the drier style fortified wine is made in Portugal? and what grape varieties are used?
Madeira…..(1) Sercial, (2) Verdelho
What is the name for the drier style of fortified wine made in Italy? and what grape varieties are used?
Marsala…(1) Grillo, (2) Catarratto, (3) Inzolina
Why are neutral white grapes used for he production of Sherry style wines?
Because the flavor profile comes from the production not from the grapes.
What are the (2) most commonly used white grape varieties used for making Sherry in Spain?
Palomino……Pedro Ximenez
Explain the wine making style for making Sherry style wines?
Grapes are handled delicately trying to avoid any phenolics. Carefully pressing (like sparkling wines) and fermented at high temperatures to evaporate the floral/fruity aromas.
What are the (2) types of Sherrys? and what are the differences?
Fin and Oloroso…..Fino-pale, light-bodied and require Flor (reductive style); Oloroso-dark, fuller bodied more flavorful and NO flor (oxidized style).
What is flor? and how does it survive?
Special type of yest the floats on the surface of wines….It thrives at high alcohol levels such as 15%. At this high level it multiplies and forms a thick blanket on top of the wine protecting it from oxygen.
Describe the classic reductive style of wine? And what is the classic aromas?
Lighter bodied, reduced alcohol (b/c the yest feed on alcohol as well), reduced sugars, reduced acid (b/c the yest feeds on acetic acid)….Nutty or bruised apples aromas.
What is the term to describe wine changes largely due to living yest? and what type of wine style does it create?
Biologic aging…..lower alcohol and acids and higher amts. of acetaldehyde.
What is the typical alcohol levels of Fino Sherrys?
15-15.5%
What is the typical alcohol levels of Oloroso Sherrys?
17-24%
