Port Flashcards
Port’s primary whit grape varieties:
Arinto Codega Malvasia Fino Malvasia Corada Rabigato Viosinho
Why is Port famous for?
Fortified wines
Porto’s red grape varieties:
Touriga Nacional Touriga Francesa Tinta Cao Tinta Roriz Tinta Baroca Mourisco Tinto Sousao
Vineyards and Soils in Porto…
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
What is the wine making method used in Port?
Fortification
Define Fortification…
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
What is Vila Nova de Gaia?
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
Port styles:
2 Basic overall categories:
Aged in Barrel in Lodge/generally ready to drink on release.
Aged in Bottle/generally benefits from aging on release
Barrel aged Ports:
Ruby Port
Tawny Port
Aged Tawny Port
Late-Bottled vintage Port
Facts about Ruby Port:
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
____ ____: Aged in bulk for 2-3 years and bottled when young.
Ruby Port
Facts about Tawny Port:
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
Aged Tawny Port facts:
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
What is Colheita?
A vintage Tawny with a minimum of seven years cask aging
How many years of cask aging for Colheita?
7 years
Late-Bottled Vintage Port facts:
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
Bottled Aged:
Vintage Port
Single Quinta Port
Vintage Port facts:
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).
Single Quinta Port facts:
Fruit sourced from best quintas-vineyards.
Usually produced in non-declared vintages.
Must state vintage on the label.
Age worthy
Excellent values
Barrel and Bottled aged ports:
Barrel: Ruby Port Tawny Port Aged Tawny Port Late-Bottled Vintage Port
Bottle:
Vintage Port
Single Quinta Port
