Port Flashcards
Red port grapes
Touriga National, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao, Tinta Barroca, Sousao
White port grapes
Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato, viosinho, Codega
Primary soil in the Douro
Schist. Occasionally granite. Supports good drainage.
Where does port come from
Douro Valley (UNESCO site) 70 mile long valley
Douro River runs where
Starts in Madrid as the Deuro River and cuts across Douro valley and empties into the Atlantic in the town of Oporto
Sub regions of the Dourto
Subzones of douro west to east (Baixo Corgo) lower-basic (Cima Corgo) upper-better (Douro Superior) near Spanish border-superior
What does Corgo mean
Corgo River tributaries off the Douro
What does tinta mean
Red
The Douro has one of the most intricately appraised systems for grapes in the world. Describe the system.
Grapes are rated A to F to determine which grapes are used for port and which ones are used for wine.
Is port usually a blend
Yes. Usually a blend of the top 5 port grapes and vines are often interplanted (field blend)
Are ports grapes still trodden by foot
yes. Especially vintage ports
What is Port fortified with
neutral grape spirit (brandy)
There are approximately 10 different styles of Port that fall intot two broad categories. What are they
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.
Popular summer port cocktail
White port with tonic and lime
Aged Tawney Port blended from several years kept for a minimum of 10 years in a barrel.
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty years aged with highest quality grapes that are used for vintage port. Tastes like toasted nuts, brown sugar, vanilla
How long does Vintage Port spend in the barrel
Two years before being bottled
When is Vintage Port made
Only in exceptional years that a good vintage is declared. Represents only 3% of port production
In the past 100 years a vintage port has been declared how many times
25 times. 50% or more of the shippers declare the grapes to be exceptional
Who must approve the decision to declare a vintage
Samples are sent to the Port Wine institute for approval
How are Vintage Ports aged
Reductively. In a bottle for a long time.
One of the best Vintage Ports declared
2011
Is Vintage Port fined or filtered
No
Does Vintage Port need to be decanted
Yes sediment from thick grape skins. It is tannic and unfiltered with lots of sediment.
Does Vintage Port come from a single quinta or several
Several
What is Single Quinta Vintage Port
Grapes from a given Quinta from a single year
Is Single Quinta Vintage Port as high quality as Vintage Port?
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
If a vintage is declared are there grapes left over for Single Quinta Vintage Port
No. Rarely
Does Single Vintage Quinta Port need to be decanted
Yes it is just like Vintage Port with lots of sediment and is transferred to bottle after two years in barrel.
What is Late Bottled Vintage Port
“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.
What is Crusted Port
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.
What is Reserve Port
“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,
What to pair with Tawney Port
Creme Broulee, Almonds, Walnuts
What to pair with Vintage Port
Chocolate
Additional Port pairings
Stilton, Gorgonzola, with berries
In sum, which ports need to be decanted
Crusted Port, Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, and Traditional LBV
How to decant port
Stand bottle up for 24 hours. Decant before service no more than 3 hours before service. Less oxygen exposure is best.
What to serve port in
Any wine glass big enough to be swirled
How is port traditionally served
Passed clockwise around the table
Ruby Port is
Aged three years/various vintages/red and fruity
How long does port last once opened
Tawny/Reserve up to 6 months. LBV up to 1 month. Single Quinta Vintage and Vintage from 1 day up to 2 weeks.
Average pour is how many ounces
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 ounces
How long does it take to declare vintage for vintage port
They make the decision after it has aged two years in barrels and then if declared send it to the institute for testing.
Recent vintages declared
2000, 2003, 2007, 2011
Are late bottled vintages made every year
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.
What do you pair vintage port with
Like you would an American Zinfandel. Peppery steak, smoked sausage, smoked meats.
Average abv in port
20%
Port producer’s
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.
Is Vintage port made from grapes in just one vinegard
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.
How long can vintage port age for
Average 20 to 40 years or longer
Residual sugar level in port
100 plus g/l or grahams per liter
