Port Flashcards

1
Q

What is mistelle?

A

A wine in which must is fortified prior to fermentation. Also known as a Vin de Liqueur (although the EU has extended the VDL definition to include all fortified wines).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What governing body oversees the the production of port?

A

Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (Douro Port Wine Institute)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The IVDP grants each grower his/her beneficio authorization, which dictates the maximum amount of wine that grower may fortify in one year. What are the factors that go into this?

A

Vineyard site: location, altitude, exposure, bedrock, rough matter, slope, shelter

Vine: type, density, yield, training system, vine age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are Vinhos ao Alta?

A

Vertical rows of vines leading directly up the slope.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are patamares?

A

Wider terraces that can be navigated by tractor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the preferred red grapes for Port, and what % of the blend must they constitute?

A

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, Bastardo, Mourisco Tinto.

60%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the preferred white grapes for Port?

A

Gouveio, Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Rabigato, Esgana Cão, Folgasão

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How long is the port fermentation? What is the immediate goal?

A

Two to three days, fermented at high temperatures to maximize color and flavor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Approximately what % of the sugars have fermented at the time of fortification for Port?

A

30% - may vary slightly from house to house.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Portuguese term for fortification?

A

Beneficio

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What spirit is used for beneficio?

A

Aguardente, a neutral grape spirit at 77% abv.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the alcohol range for port after fortification?

A

19-22%abv

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the traditional barrel for Port?

A

A Pipe, which may vary in size. The size of Pipes for shipping is 534L.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the French equivalent of Beneficio?

A

Mutage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why were all ports traditionally matured in Vila Nova di Gaia?

A

The cooler maritime climate is preferable for long-term maturation; now that many estates have climate control, some smaller quintas mature in the Douro.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What defines Ruby Port?

A

The simplest of ports, often aged in bulk. Characterized by dark coloring and fresher fruit tones.

17
Q

What defines Ruby Reserve Port? What was its former title?

A

More complexity and character than a basic Ruby Port. The previous term was Vintage Character.

18
Q

What constitutes Vintage Port?

A

Vintage years are declared from house to house, and must be approved by the IVDP. Aged in cask for 2.5 years before bottling.

19
Q

On average, how often will a port house declare a Vintage year?

A

3 times per decade

20
Q

What constitutes Single Quinta Vintage Port?

A

The product of a single estate’s harvest (most Port shippers use fruit from multiple estates). Often seen from good vintages, but not quite good enough for the shipper to declare vintage. Also seen from smaller, independent Quintas.

21
Q

What constitutes Late Bottled Vintage Port?

A

4-6 years in cask before bottling, as opposed to 2.5. Usually filtered before bottling, and will not improve over time. Somewhere between a tawny and ruby in style, and often good value.

22
Q

What does Envelhecido em Garrafa mean?

A

For LBV; indicates >3 years bottle age before release.

23
Q

What constitutes Tawny Port?

A

Basic Tawnys may be cask aged, but also may be paler simply due to less extraction, blending with white port, or poor grapes.

24
Q

What constitutes Reserve Tawny Port?

A

Multi-vintage, aged for at least 7 years before bottling.

25
Q

What constitutes Tawny with Indication of Age?

A

High quality fruit matured in seasoned wood, typically racked annually, and often topped up. The age indication refers to what the blend tastes like it should be, rather than the actual age of the wine.

26
Q

What constitutes Colheita Tawny Port?

A

Single-vintage Tawny, with a minimum of 7 years in cask. May be bottled to order, so bottle age and therefore character may be quite different.

27
Q

What is Crusted Port?

A

Port matured in the bottle, leaving sediment.

28
Q

What does Velho indicate?

A

“Old” - may be appended to 10-30year old tawny port.

29
Q

What does Muito Velho indicate?

A

“Very Old” - 40+ years

30
Q

What is the minimum required RS in Port?

A

17.5g/L

31
Q

What is the minimum RS in Extra-Seco Port?

A

17.5-40g/L

32
Q

What is the minimum RS in Seco Port?

A

40-65g/L

33
Q

What is the minimum RS in Meio Seco Port?

A

65-85g/L

34
Q

What is the minimum RS in Doce Port?

A

80-130g/L

35
Q

What is the minimum RS in Muito Doce Port?

A

130g/L+