Portugal and Fortified Wine Flashcards
What are the subregions of Alentejo? Which one is more famous for white and sparkling wine?
Portalegre** Borba Redondo Évora Reguengos Granja-Amareleja Vidigueira Moura
Name five DOPs of the Lisboa IGP.
Bucelas, Colares, Carcevelos, Arruda, Torres Vedras, Alenquer, Óbidos, Lourinhã, and Encostas de Aire
What is the DOP of the Beira Atlântico IGP?
Bairrada DOP
What is a “Bota NO”?
Bota NO refers to the marking put on a barrel that has been deemed unique from the others in its solera, and intended to be bottled separately rather than blended
What are armazens de calor?
Armazens de Calor are heated rooms used for Madeira production; a gentler variation on the Estufagem process. Lower temps over a longer period of time.
What two methods of training are commonly used in the Douro? What are the benefits/drawbacks of each?
Double guyot – makes vines less susceptible to drought and increase vine longevity
Spur-pruned, cordon-trained – allows for mechanization
What DOP of Lisboa produces aguardente rather than wine?
Lourinhã
What are the two DO zones for Sherry?
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
What is Tintilla de Rota?
A historic specialty of Rota, a town on the Atlantic coast. Sweet red wine made from the tintilla grape (thought to be graciano).
Where is Antao Vaz mostly planted?
Alentejo
What is the main soil type of Bairrada?
Clay
What are the “Rayas” and “Ruedos” styles of wine made in Montilla-Moriles?
Raya is similar to, but less quality than, Oloroso. Ruedos is a Raya style with aging (Guildsomm). According to Liem’s book, anything outside of the two highest quality regions – Sierra de Montilla & Moriles Alto, both high elevation, on albarzia soils – is referred to as “ruedos”.
Why is the use of a “pie de cuba” (aka pied de cuve) common in Jerez.
To start the fermentation rapidly in a warm climate, not allowing bacteria a chance to incubate.
What style of wine is made in the Carcavelos DOP of Lisboa?
Fortified, sweet wines that are aged for two years in barrel and 6 months in bottle.
Name the three DOPs of the Açores isles and the styles of wine made on each.
Pico & Biscoitos – fortified white wine from Verdelho, Arinto & Terrantez
Graciosa – unfortified, dry table wines
Where would you find the historical label indications of “Italy Particular,” “Garibaldi Dolce” and “London Particular”?
Marsala DOC
Which of the three subzones of the Douro…
…produces the greatest volume?
…is the coolest?
…is the hottest and the driest?
…is responsible for wines the provides the basis for a majority of the premium styles of Port?
…is the largest?
…is often used for Vintage Port and unfortified styles?
…produces the greatest volume? Baixo Corgo
…is the coolest? Baixo Corgo
…is the hottest and the driest? Douro Superior
…is responsible for wines the provides the basis for a majority of the premium styles of Port? Cima Corgo
…is the largest? Douro Superior
…is often used for Vintage Port and unfortified styles? Douro Superior
What styles of wine are allowed to be made in the Douro DOP.
Branco, Rosado, Tinto, Colheita Tardiva, Espumante do Douro, and Moscatel do Douro Licoroso
Approximately what percerntage of plantings does PX account for in Jerez?
.65%
What four IGPs in the Beiras zone split into?
Terras do Dão, Terras de Cister, Terras da Beira, and Beira Atlântico
Describe the Estufagem process of Madeira?
Wines are heated in estufa, stainless steel vats that circulate hot water via coils to a temperature of 45-50’C (113-122’F). Heated for at least 3 months.
What is the word used for mutage in Port production?
Beneficio
How many Madeira producers are there? Name them.
Only 8 producers (not shippers, traders, etc.): HM Borges, Henriques & Henriques, Madeira Wine Company, D’Oliveira, Barbeito, Vinhos Justino Henriques, Faria & Filhos, Artur de Barros e Sousa (does not export)
What IGP were Douro and Porto once a part of before the creation of the Duriense IGP?
Transmontano
What are the two stills used for the production of Brandy de Jerez? Which produces the higher quality distillate?
Alembic (steamheated) and alquitara (wood burning) pot stills. Alembic produces aguardiente at a proof of 70-95% while the alquitaras produced a higher quality of spirit called “holandas”, typically 60-70% ABV. Brandy de Jerez can be a blend of the two, but has to be at least 50% holandas.
When did phylloxera hit Madeira, and what were four major outcomes?
1872–
- Tinta Negra replaced Verdelho as the the most planted grape
- American hybrids were introduced
- Two noble grapes of the 19th century – Bastardo & Terrantez – were not replanted
- Hectares of vines decreased from 3000 to approx. 500
Describe the climate of the Douro.
Continental climate – hot summers, cold winters, short spring and fall.
What is the most widely planted red grape in Portugal?
Castelão
What are the methods used for achieving slight effervescence in Vinho Verde?
Whites are traditionally injected with CO2, reds undergo carbonic maceration.
Of the three “big” fortified wines (Sherry, Port, Madeira), which are you most likely to see grapes being mechanical harvested for?
Sherry
What producer makes Blandy’s & Cossart Gordon Madeira?
The Madeira Wine Company
When was the Oporto appellation first demarcated?
1756
What two rivers define the Minho IGP?
Douro and the Minho
What are levadas?
Canals used on the isle of Madeira to irrigate the island with the rainfall from higher altitude sites.
What three DOPs are constantly diminishing in size because of the urban sprawl of Lisboa?
Bucelas, Colares, and Carcavelos
What is Madeira’s capital?
Funchal
Who owns the brand Mateus?
Sogrape
What is an average vintage declaration in cases of Port?
Most shippers declare between 8000 and 15,000 cases in a vintage year, though anomalies exist.
Name three growing regions on the north side of Madeira. Which two are the #2 and #3 largest growing regions on Madeira?
Porto Moniz, Sao Vicente, Santana; Sao Vicente is the second largest growing region (133.7 ha) and Santana is the third largest (73.6 ha).
Name a single quinta bottling from:
A. Fonseca
B. Graham’s
C. Taylor’s
A. Quinta do Panascal
B. Quinta dos Malvedos
C. Quinta da Vargellas
Who makes “Pera Manca”? Where and what are the grapes?
Cartuxa Alentejo DOP, blend of Aragonez and Trincadeira — $400 retail!
What is the DOP zone of the Transmontano IGP?
Trás-o-Montes
What are the two DOPs of the Peninsula de Setúbal IGP?
Setúbal & Palmela
What is the regulatory body for Port production?
IVDP – Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro
Quinta do Silval
Quinta do Noval
Quinta do Tua
Cockburn’s (sold to Graham’s in 2006, but they have yet to produce a SQVP from it)
What Muscat is Moscatel de Setubal?
Muscat of Alexandria or Moscatal Roxo
Where are most of the Moscatel vines in Jerez? What kind of soil are they found on?
Mainly cultivated in the Arenas soils near Chipiona.
What region of Portugal has the most widespread plantings of quercus suber (cork trees)?
Alentejano IGP
What are the three sweetening agents used to make sweeter styles of Sherry? Which is most common in modern Jerez?
- Ducle pasta: mistella produced from “sunned” Palomino (most common)
- Dulce de Almíbar – a blend of invert sugar and Fino, rare
- Mistela from PX or Moscatel
When Marsala is vintage dated, what year does the vintage refer to?
The year of fortification.
What communes are partially included in Jerez Superior?
Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Trebujena, Rota, & Chipiona
What does “Colheita Seleccionada” mean on a bottle of Portuguese wine?
1% higher ABV than required
What kind of oak is most commonly used in Sherry production?
American
Name the two inhabited isles of the Madeira archipelago.
Madeira & Porto Santo
What ABV does Sherry naturally ferment to?
11.5-12%
Compare the relative humidity of the poniente and levante winds?
Poniente is the wet, westerly wind from the Atlantic that acts as a moderating influence temperature wise, but ushers in the growth of flor with its 95+% humidity. The Levante is the dry, easterly wind, with less than 30% humidity.
Quinta do Bomfin
Dow’s
Name three producers based in Sanlucar de Barrameda?
Barbadillo, Hidalgo-La Gitana, La Cigarerra, Pedro Romero
How does the point at which fortification occurs affect house style?
Houses that tend to run a little sweeter in style (i.e. Graham’s) run off the wine for fortification earlier, leaving more residual sugar. Houses that tend to run a little drier (i.e. Dow’s) will run off the wine later, letting it ferment closer to dryness.
When multinationals took over most Port shippers in the 1960s and 1970s, what were the only British shippers to remain privately owned?
Fonseca/Taylor and Symington (though Symignton sold a partial interest to Pernod Ricard)
Quinta do Panascal
Fonseca
What wine pioneered the style of the dry Douro red and what was the first vintage?
Ferreira’s Barca Velha in 1952
What two winds help define the climate of Jerez and what does each do?
The levante wind intensifies the region’s heat, blowing from the east and cooking the grapes on the vine during ripening; the humid, Atlantic poniente wind promotes the growth of flor
What labeling designation replaced “Vintage Character” Port and when?
“Reserva” in 2002; pretty nebulous category based on quality, not any specific aging requirements.
What is vino de color? What are the two variants of it? What is it used for?
A non-alcoholic combination of boiled, reduced syrup & fresh must. If reduced to 1/3, it’s called Sancocho. If reduced to 1/5, it’s called Arrope. Often used to color sweetened sherries.
What are the French, Italian, and Portuguese terms for pomace brandy?
Marc, Grappa, and Bagaceira
What is a venencia?
The tool used to sample sherry without disturbing the flor.
What potential ABV does soleo PX in Montila-Moriles typically reach before fermentation/fortification?
26-29%
For multi-vintage blends in Madeira DOP, what % must be included to label by variety? For vintage wines?
85%/100%
What is the average length of fermentation for Port?
2-3 days
Quinta de Terra Feita
Taylor Fladgate
Name the 9 sub-regions of Vinho Verde, from north to south.
Monçao & Melgaço, Lima, Cávado, Basto, Ave, Sousa, Amarante, Baião, Paiva
What are the grape varieties and DOPs for these famous dry wines of Portugal: Barca Velha Evaro Pera Manca Quinta do Vale Meão Luis Pato Quinto do Ribeirinho Pe Franco
Barca Velha – 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz, 10% Tinta Cao; Douro DOP
Evaro Pera Manca – Trincadeira & Aragonez; Alentejo
Quinta do Vale Meão (totally pronounced meow in my mind) – 55% Touriga Nacional, with Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Roriz; Douro DOP
Luis Pato Quinto do Ribeirinho Pe Franco – Baga; Bairrada
At what stage in the process of winemaking does flor develop?
Immediately post-fermentation.
What style of wine accounts for 3/4 of production in the Dão DOP.
Red wine.
Are cultured yeasts common in Jerez?
Yes.
How old must Reserva Tawny be? Colheita?
Both 7 years old.
What are the 2 main types of soil for Colares?
sandy (ungrafted = ramisco) / chao rija (harder = castelao)
What are lagares?
Traditionally, for Port production, grapes were foot crushed and fermented in low, open, granite troughs called lagares – rare nowadays.
What is Vinho Abafado?
A partially fermented must preserved with alcohol; used for fortification in the Carcavelos DOP of Lisboa.
Name three tributaries of the Douro River.
Corgo, Tua, Sabor, Tavora
What IGP borders Duriense on the north?
Transmontano
What are poios?
Terraces on the isle of Madeira that line the island’s perimeter; sustained by walls of basalt
Compare and contrast the rates at which the alcohol levels of Vino Dulce Natural vs. Vino Generoso change during aging?
Water is lost through osmosis (into the wood) during aging, while alcohol is lost through evaporation. For vino generoso, the osmosis supersedes the evaporation, and alcohol is concentrated over time. For Vino Dulce Natural, the wine is so sweet and dense, that it does not soak into the wood; the loss of ethanol from evaporation is greater than water from osmosis and alcohol decreases.
What brands are part of the Sogrape portfolio?
Sandeman, Ferreira, and Offley
What is the difference in soil type between Madeira and Porto Santo?
Both have volcanic soils but Porto Santo has more limestone.
What are the typical methods for getting young, inexpensive tawny to the desired color?
Blending of red and white Port; severe filtration
Where is Jerez Superior?
Between Sanlúcar de Barrameda and the Guadalete River, which flows into the Bay of Cádiz, just south of Jerez de la Frontera.
What is the southernmost IGP on the Portuguese mainland?
Algarve
What stage of must press are sherries destined for oxidative aging made from?
The segunda yerma
Who is the largest shipper/landowner in the Douro?
Symington Estates, which includes Dow’s, Graham’s, Warre, Gould Campbell, Quarles Harris, Smith Woodhouse, Cockburn, and Martinez.
What are the four styles of Vino Generoso de Licor and what are their corresponding RS requirements? What styles of Vno Generoso are they usually produced from?
DRY: 5-45 g/L
MEDIUM: 5-115 g/L (usually made with Amontillado)
PALE CREAM: 45-115 g/L (usually made with Fino)
CREAM: 115-140 g/L (usually made with Oloroso)
For beneficio authorization, how many total points are available? How many points give you an “A” grade? How many a “B” grade?
2,361 total points available. Over 1,200 is an “A”; 1,001-1,200 is a “B”.
Name the 14 IGPs of Portugal.
Minho, Transmontano, Duriense, Terras do Dão, Terras de Cister, Terras de Beira, Beira Atlântico, Tejo, Lisboa, Alentejano, Península de Setúbal, Algarve, Terras Madeirenses, Açores
What are the red grapes of Vinho Verde?
Amaral, Borraçal, Alvarelhão, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Pedval, Rabo-de-Anho, Vinhão
What are the aging requirements for Vino Generoso wines from Montilla-Moriles?
2 years in oak (same as Jerez).
Quinta do Gricha
Churchill’s
What is the major red grape of the Dão?
Touriga Nacional
What is the minimum alcohol of Marsala?
Natural: 12%
Fine (after fortification): 17%
All other styles (after fortification): 18%
What are the sub-regions of the Encostas de Aire DOP?
Alcobaça and Ourém (northern end of the Lisboa IGP)
Quinta dos Canais
Cockburn’s
What is the required alcohol for Port?
19-22% (except “Port Branco Leve Seco” – a light, dry style of white Port – which is 16.5% minimum)
Which island of the Açores is a World Heritage Site, and what style of wine is made there?
Pico; fortified wine that must be at least 16% ABV and aged for a minimum of three years in barrel. Verdelho, Artino & Terrantez are used in production.
What does “casta” mean in Portugal?
Grape varietal
What are the proper serving temperatures for the following types of sherry: Fino & Manzanilla Oloroso, Amontillado, and Palo Cortado Blended Sweet Moscatel PX
Fino & Manzanilla - 45' Oloroso, Amontillado, and Palo Cortado - 55-60' Blended Sweet - 50' Moscatel - 55-60' PX - 50-55'
What are the new wines called that enter the first criadera of a solera?
Añada
How much of a grape must be present in a bottling of Madeira if it is varietally labeled?
85% if NV, 100% if vintage
What are the three principal soil types of Jerez? What defines each? Which is the most desirable and why?
1) Albariza – chalky, porous, limestone rich. Most desirable as it allows roots to penetrate and retains moisture. Concentrated in Jerez Superior
2) Barros – fertile clay in low lying valleys
3) Arenas – sandy, more prominent in coastal areas
Quinta do Bom Retiro
Ramos Pinto
What white grapes are common in the Bairrada DOP?
Maria Gomes & Arinto
Quinta do Vale de Dona
Taylor Fladgate
What was the first Single Quinta Vintage Port?
Taylor’s 1958 Quinta da Vargellas
Quinta do São Luiz
Kopke
What is an Amontillado sherry?
A sherry produced through biological aging, in which the flor has dissipated somewhat through maturation.
What province is Jerez located in?
Cádiz and Seville
What are the 3 non-contiguous sub-regions of the Trás-o-Montes DOP from west to east?
Chaves, Valpaços, Planaito Mirandés
What is the method of vine training called in Jerez and how is it carried out?
Vara y pulgar; Growers alternate spurs each year – one year’s vara (stick) will be pruned back after harvest to become the following year’s pulgar (thumb)
Who initiated the style of Port Rose and when?
Croft, 2008
What is a geropiga?
A geropiga is a very sweet Port made by fortifying early in the fermentation to retain a larger proportion of the natural sugar of the grape than would be the case with a standard Port. The white version is called geropiga branca and the red is known as geropiga loira. In the past a small quantity of geropiga was sometimes added to a blend judged to be too dry but nowadays this pratice is rare. White geropigas are sometimes marketed under the designation of lágrima or lácrima, a style of Port mainly consumed in Portugal
What is the subzone of Montilla-Moriles and why does it have its own designation?
Montilla-Moriles Superior (easy one to remember!) because of a higher concentration of albariza soils.
What is an arroba?
The basic unit of liquid volume measured in Jerez, equal to 16.67 liters. There are 36 arrobas in a typical cask (600 liters).
What is the most prominent grape variety of the Alentejo DOP?
Trincadeira
What is the optimum age to drink a bottle of Vintage Port?
20-30 years of age, though some age much longer!
What DOP shares exact geographic boundaries with the Minho IGP?
Vinho Verde DOP.
Name the two stages that fermentation is divided into in Jerez.
1) “Tumultuous Fermentation” – hot, vigorous phase that lasts up to a week
2) “Lenta” – slow fermentation, in which high temperatures subside and the remaining sugar is converted to alcohol over several weeks.
What percentage of Moscatel must be in wines labeled “Moscatel de Setubal” versus those labeled “Setubal Licoroso Branco”?
Setubal Licoroso Branco – must be 2/3 combined Moscatel de Setubal & Moscatel Roxo. Moscatel de Setubal or Moscatel Roxo can be varietally labeled and must be 85%
What is Vino Dulce Natural in Jerez? What is the required RS?
Wines produced solely from “sunned” PX and Moscatel grapes. Fortified after partial fermentation. Min. RS for Moscatel is 160 g/L, 212 g/L for PX.
Name the declared Port vintages of the 1980s. Which was considered the greatest?
1989, 1987, 1985, 1983, 1982, 1980; 1985
When was IVBAM founded?
IVM merged with the embroidery regulatory committees on the island, forming IVBAM, in 2006.
In what units is beneficio awarded and what is a reasonable expectation for what an A grade would be allowed to fortify versus an F grade?
Beneficio is awarded in liters/ha. It changes year to year, but in 2011, an A grade was authorized to produce 1560 liters/ha while a F grade could only fortify 523 liters/ha.
Name the DOPs of Lisboa that produce the following styles of wine:
Aguardente
Branco from Arinto
Branco from Malvasia and Tinto from Ramisco
Licoroso Tinto & Branco
Aguardente – Lourinha
Branco from Arinto – Bucelas
Branco from Malvasia and Tinto from Ramisco – Colares
Licoroso Tinto & Branco – Carcavelos
Approximately how many miles off the coast of Portugal does Madeira lie?
625
What styles of wine are made in the Palmela DOP? What white and red grapes dominate?
Tinto, Branco, Rosado, Espumante, and Licoroso; Reds must be 2/3 Castelao and whites are dominated by Fernao Pires and Arinto.
Where would you find the Arrabida Mountain range?
Palmela DOP of the Peninsula de Setúbal IGP.
Where does the term “sack” take its name from?
Most likely from the verb “sacar” – “to take out” – that is used to describe drawing sherry from the solera system.
What is estágio?
The period of rest that Madeira must undergo after being heated and before barrel age – approx. 90 days.
When in relation to harvest does vintage declaration typically occur?
Approximately 18 months after harvest
What is the final alcohol content of Fino sherry?
15-17%
When was the Real Compania das Vinhos do Alto Douro set up and what did it accomplish?
1756; Fraud had become commonplace with Port production, and the Real Compania sought to fix prices, protect the authenticity of the product, raise takes, etc. British shippers were excluded from the board. This is the time at which vineyards were separated into “Vinho do Ramo” intented for domestic consumption, and “Vinho do Feitoria” – higher quality, intended for export. Production quotas had to be registered to quell adulteration and fraud.
What is the largest DOP in Portugal?
Vinho Verde DOP.
Name the declared Port vintages of the 1990s. Which was considered the greatest?
1997, 1994, 1992, 1991; 1994
What styles of sherry qualify to be labeled VOS and VORS?
Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and Pedro Ximenez
Which three islands of the Açores isles have DOP zones? What are the DOPs? How many islands are there total?
9 total islands
Pico, Pico DOP
Terceira, Biscoitos DOP
Graciosa, Graciosa DOP
Who is the longest continually operating Madeira producer?
Henriques & Henriques, founded in 1850. D’Oliveira was also founded in 1850, but as a partidista.
What is a marsalina?
Typical bottle of Marsala, 500 ml.
What are the cepage requirements for white and red wines of the Dao to qualify for “nobre”?
Red – min. 15% Touriga Nacional, max. 85% Jaen, Rufete, Alfrochiero, and Aragonez
White – min. 15% Encruzado, max. 85% Cercial, Bical, and Malvasia
Which of the “noble” varieties of Madeira is on the IVBAM’s “Authorized” list of grape varieites, NOT on the “Recommended” list?
Malvasia Branca de Sao Jorge; This is the Malvasia that accounts for a majority of the Malvasia acreage (not counting Malvasia Fina aka Bual) on Madeira. Malvasia Candida (along with Malvasia Fina) are both “recommended” varieties though Malvasia Candida now accounts for less than 4 hectares. Malvasia Candida (aka Malvasai di Lipari) may be labeled Malvasia, but Malvasia Branca de Sao Jorge may not: just Malmsey.
What stage of the must press are wines destined for biological aging taken from?
The primera yerma
What sub-region of the Dão is named for Portugal’s highest mountain range? Name the other six sub-regions.
Serra da Estrela; Alva, Besteiros, Castendo, Silgueiros, Terras de Azurara, Terras de Senhorim
Quinta do Tua
Graham’s (sold from Cockburn’s to Graham’s in 2006)
What genus is the flor yeast a part of?
Saccharomyces
Which noble grape is thought to take the longest aging in Canteiro to reach its full potential?
Sercial, 7-8 years
Who is the largest Madeira producer today, responsible for half of all exports?
Justino Henriques
In approximately what ratio is aguardente added to the wine in the process of fortifying Port?
1 part aguardente: 4 parts wine
What mountain ranges define the Duriense IGP?
Marão & Montemuro mountains
What is the must called in Jerez? What stages of quality is it divided into?
Mosto de yerma:
1) primera yerma – free-run juice, 60-70% of the total must
2) segunda yerma – press wine
3) mosto prensa – poorer quality press wine for distillation
Why does Pedro Ximenez grow better in Montilla-Moriles than Jerez?
It is prone to rot and mildew, and the coastal Jerez is much more humid. It prefers the hot, dry climate of Montilla, though still favors albariza soils.
What does “Reserva” denote on a bottle of Portuguese wine?
DOP or IGP still table wines with .5% ABV higher than required. For traditional method sparkling wines, this indicates 12 months on the lees prior to disgorgement.
What does the age statement (10, 20, 30, 40) indicate on a bottle of Tawny Port?
It is not the average age of the blend, but an assessment by a tasting panel at the IVDP
What grape(s) is Rainwater Madeira usually composed of?
Usually 100% Tinta Negra
What were the two categories that the Douro Wine Company originally established for Port vineyards in 1756?
Feitoria – the 335 best vineyards, marked with stones, signifying fruit destined for export.
Rama – lesser vineyards for domestic consumption
Name two “recommended” red grapes on Madeira?
Bastardo, Malvasia Candida Roxa, Tinta (yep, just “Tinta”), Tinta Negra (aka Tinta Negramoll, Tinta Negra Mole), Verdelho Tinto
What is Enforcado?
A traditional vine training method similar to a pergola system used in Vinho Verde.
Who released the first LBV and when?
Noval in 1954.
What is the DOP of Alentejano IGP?
Alentejo DOP