Port

Question 0

Port’s primary whit grape varieties:

Answer 0

Arinto
Codega
Malvasia Fino
Malvasia Corada
Rabigato
Viosinho

Question 1

Why is Port famous for?

Answer 1

Fortified wines

Question 2

Porto’s red grape varieties:

Answer 2

Touriga Nacional
Touriga Francesa
Tinta Cao
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Baroca
Mourisco Tinto
Sousao

Question 3

Vineyards and Soils in Porto…

Answer 3

Vineyards planted on slopes (up to 60%) with schist soils

Schist: a form of slate with strata which allow the vine roots to penetrate and grow

Question 4

What is the wine making method used in Port?

Answer 4

Fortification

Question 5

Define Fortification…

Answer 5

Pipe: traditional Port cask holding 550 liters

Fortification: 440 liters of wine is added to 110 liters of Aguardente (neutral grape spirit at 77%)

Alcohol level is reduced to app. 20% ABV

Timing of fortification based on the sugar reading not alcoholic strength of the fermenting wine.

Alcohol level of fermenting must is app. 6-8% ABV

Question 6

What is Vila Nova de Gaia?

Answer 6

Classic center of Port trade
A suburb of Oporto where many of the warehouses of the Port lodges are located
The cooler climate near the coast is optimal for maturing the young wines in cask

Question 7

Port styles:

Answer 7

2 Basic overall categories:
Aged in Barrel in Lodge/generally ready to drink on release.
Aged in Bottle/generally benefits from aging on release

Question 8

Barrel aged Ports:

Answer 8

Ruby Port
Tawny Port
Aged Tawny Port
Late-Bottled vintage Port

Question 9

Facts about Ruby Port:

Answer 9

The house wine of each lodge
Product of multiple vintages and vineyard sources
Maintaining consistent house style important
Aged in Bulk for 2-3 years and bottled when young

Question 10

____ ____: Aged in bulk for 2-3 years and bottled when young.

Answer 10

Ruby Port

Question 11

Facts about Tawny Port:

Answer 11

Inexpensive blends of white and red wines
Produced from lesser vintages and vineyards sources
Auto-vinification often used during production
Popular as an Aperitif in France

Question 12

Aged Tawny Port facts:

Answer 12

True Tawnies matured entirely in cask.
After six years in cask the wines take in smooth, creamy character, fruitcake spices.
Aged declarations: 10, 20, 30 and 40 years.
Colheita: a vintage tawny with a minimum of seven years cask aging

Question 13

What is Colheita?

Answer 13

A vintage Tawny with a minimum of seven years cask aging

Question 14

How many years of cask aging for Colheita?

Answer 14

7 years

Question 15

Late-Bottled Vintage Port facts:

Answer 15

Produced in non-declared vintages 
Fruit sourced from top quintas
Aged 4-6 years in cask
Vintage and bolting years must be declared on the label
Filtered vs unfiltered wines
Some are age worthy

Question 16

Bottled Aged:

Answer 16

Vintage Port

Single Quinta Port

Question 17

Vintage Port facts:

Answer 17

Accounts for less than 3% of all port.
The most expensive wines but the simplest to make (2 years wood aging).
Produced from top vineyards (quintas).

Question 18

Single Quinta Port facts:

Answer 18

Fruit sourced from best quintas-vineyards.
Usually produced in non-declared vintages.
Must state vintage on the label.
Age worthy
Excellent values

Question 19

Barrel and Bottled aged ports:

Answer 19

Barrel:
Ruby Port
Tawny Port
Aged Tawny Port
Late-Bottled Vintage Port

Bottle:
Vintage Port
Single Quinta Port