Port Flashcards

1
Q

Red port grapes

A

Touriga National, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao, Tinta Barroca, Sousao

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2
Q

White port grapes

A

Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato, viosinho, Codega

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3
Q

Primary soil in the Douro

A

Schist. Occasionally granite. Supports good drainage.

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4
Q

Where does port come from

A

Douro Valley (UNESCO site) 70 mile long valley

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5
Q

Douro River runs where

A

Starts in Madrid as the Deuro River and cuts across Douro valley and empties into the Atlantic in the town of Oporto

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6
Q

Sub regions of the Dourto

A

Subzones of douro west to east (Baixo Corgo) lower-basic (Cima Corgo) upper-better (Douro Superior) near Spanish border-superior

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7
Q

What does Corgo mean

A

Corgo River tributaries off the Douro

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8
Q

What does tinta mean

A

Red

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9
Q

The Douro has one of the most intricately appraised systems for grapes in the world. Describe the system.

A

Grapes are rated A to F to determine which grapes are used for port and which ones are used for wine.

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10
Q

Is port usually a blend

A

Yes. Usually a blend of the top 5 port grapes and vines are often interplanted (field blend)

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11
Q

Are ports grapes still trodden by foot

A

yes. Especially vintage ports

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12
Q

What is Port fortified with

A

neutral grape spirit (brandy)

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13
Q

There are approximately 10 different styles of Port that fall intot two broad categories. What are they

A

1). Creme Broulee Ports (carmel like oxidized ports aged in wood) ie Tawney Port. 2). Chocolate Ports (aged in bottle with little exposure to air) darker denser with red berry quality and chocolate like flavor ie vintage port. Can also display a blueberry menthol quality.

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14
Q

Popular summer port cocktail

A

White port with tonic and lime

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15
Q

Aged Tawney Port blended from several years kept for a minimum of 10 years in a barrel.

A

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty years aged with highest quality grapes that are used for vintage port. Tastes like toasted nuts, brown sugar, vanilla

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16
Q

How long does Vintage Port spend in the barrel

A

Two years before being bottled

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17
Q

When is Vintage Port made

A

Only in exceptional years that a good vintage is declared. Represents only 3% of port production

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18
Q

In the past 100 years a vintage port has been declared how many times

A

25 times. 50% or more of the shippers declare the grapes to be exceptional

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19
Q

Who must approve the decision to declare a vintage

A

Samples are sent to the Port Wine institute for approval

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20
Q

How are Vintage Ports aged

A

Reductively. In a bottle for a long time.

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21
Q

One of the best Vintage Ports declared

A

2011

22
Q

Is Vintage Port fined or filtered

A

No

23
Q

Does Vintage Port need to be decanted

A

Yes sediment from thick grape skins. It is tannic and unfiltered with lots of sediment.

24
Q

Does Vintage Port come from a single quinta or several

A

Several

25
Q

What is Single Quinta Vintage Port

A

Grapes from a given Quinta from a single year

26
Q

Is Single Quinta Vintage Port as high quality as Vintage Port?

A

No. It does not mean a vintage has been declared and is usually made from grapes that are not declared vintage worthy. It usually costs less than Vintage Port

27
Q

If a vintage is declared are there grapes left over for Single Quinta Vintage Port

A

No. Rarely

28
Q

Does Single Vintage Quinta Port need to be decanted

A

Yes it is just like Vintage Port with lots of sediment and is transferred to bottle after two years in barrel.

29
Q

What is Late Bottled Vintage Port

A

“LBV” They are moderately priced ports made EVERY year from a single vintage. They spend 4-6 years in barrel before being bottled, but less time in bottle than regular Vintag port. This is what most good restaurants serve. They are ready to drink upon release and require no decanting unless it says “Traditional LBV” which needs decanting.

30
Q

What is Crusted Port

A

Made from a blend of several differient years. Unfiltered and must be decanted. Historically mixed from left over dregs (bottom barrels of vintage port). It is then aged in bottle.

31
Q

What is Reserve Port

A

“Everyday Port” Dow’s, Fonseca, Grahams, Sandeman. Blends of good but not great grapes that spend 4-6 years in Barrels after which they are bottled and released,

32
Q

What to pair with Tawney Port

A

Creme Broulee, Almonds, Walnuts

33
Q

What to pair with Vintage Port

A

Chocolate

34
Q

Additional Port pairings

A

Stilton, Gorgonzola, with berries

35
Q

In sum, which ports need to be decanted

A

Crusted Port, Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, and Traditional LBV

36
Q

How to decant port

A

Stand bottle up for 24 hours. Decant before service no more than 3 hours before service. Less oxygen exposure is best.

37
Q

What to serve port in

A

Any wine glass big enough to be swirled

38
Q

How is port traditionally served

A

Passed clockwise around the table

39
Q

Ruby Port is

A

Aged three years/various vintages/red and fruity

40
Q

How long does port last once opened

A

Tawny/Reserve up to 6 months. LBV up to 1 month. Single Quinta Vintage and Vintage from 1 day up to 2 weeks.

41
Q

Average pour is how many ounces

A

2 1/2 to 3 1/2 ounces

42
Q

How long does it take to declare vintage for vintage port

A

They make the decision after it has aged two years in barrels and then if declared send it to the institute for testing.

43
Q

Recent vintages declared

A

2000, 2003, 2007, 2011

44
Q

Are late bottled vintages made every year

A

yes and spend twice the time in wood as regular vintage. They require no decanting. Generally used by restaurants. It is a cheap alternative to vintage port. For more vintage like LBV look for the term “Traditional or Bottle Aged LBV” on the label.” These wines are not filtered and like Vintage port will need decanting.

45
Q

What do you pair vintage port with

A

Like you would an American Zinfandel. Peppery steak, smoked sausage, smoked meats.

46
Q

Average abv in port

A

20%

47
Q

Port producer’s

A

Warre, Dow, W & J Grahams, Cockburns (owned by Symington Family Estate) and Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca, Croft (owned by Fladgate Partnership) and Sandeman owned by (Sogrape Vinhos). Ramos Pinto “LBV” owned by Louis Roederer (Champagne House) in France. Niepoort (Colheita {single vintage tawney port} and Vintage Port) small family owned firm. Lastly, Quinta do Infantado makes a great Single Quinta Vintage Port. Taylor Fladgate and Grahams produce popular tawney port. Grahams also produces great vintage port.

48
Q

Is Vintage port made from grapes in just one vinegard

A

No can be made from grapes in different vineyards but they must all be from the same vintage. Only Single Quinta Vintage port is from one vineyard.

49
Q

How long can vintage port age for

A

Average 20 to 40 years or longer

50
Q

Residual sugar level in port

A

100 plus g/l or grahams per liter