Portugal, Port

Question 1

Explain the 3 general methods of fortification?

Answer 1

1.A wine fermentation may be arrested trough addition of spirit, while sugar remains( such as Port).

2.The wine may be fortified after the fermentation has concluded (such as Sherry)

3.Grape must is fortified prior fermentation, which produces (mistelle) rather than fortified wine.

Question 2

Name the preferred grapes used for Port wine? (9)

Answer 2

Touriga Nacional
Touriga Franca
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Cao
Tinta Francisca
Tinta Amarela
Tinta Barocca
Bastardo
Mourisco Tinto

Question 3

Name the preferred grapes for white Port production? (6)

Answer 3

Gouveio
Malvasia Fina
Rabigato
Viosinho
Esgana Cao
Folgasao

Question 4

How are called the wide terraces vineyards, that can be navigated by tractor?

Answer 4

Patamares

Question 5

Name the traditional barrel used for fermentation and shipping Port wine?

Answer 5

Pipe

Question 6

How much wine holds, Pipes used in the Douro Valley?

Answer 6

550 liters

Question 7

How much wine holds, Pipes used in Vila Nova de Gaia?

Answer 7

620 litres

Question 8

How are ruby Ports different, from Tawny Port?

Answer 8

Ruby Ports are bottle aged, displays darker color, more youthful fruit, spicy tones and developing toasted nuts with time.

Question 9

How are Tawny Ports, different from ruby Ports?

Answer 9

Tawny Ports are cask-aged, and develop more complex, mature tones of toffee dry fruits and toasted nuts with time.

Question 10

What you know about Ruby Port?

Answer 10

*Often aged in a bulk (wood, cement or stainless steel) for 2 to 3 years prior bottling.
*The wine is simple, deeply colored and inexpensive with no vintage date.

Question 11

Is ‘Ruby Reserve Port’ better than Ruby Port?

Answer 11

It offers more complexity and character.

Question 12

What you know about, ‘single quinta vintage Port?

Answer 12

Product of one estate’s harvest, produced in years of which Port house cannot confidently declare vintage.

*Example: Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas.

*Graham’s dos Malvedos

Question 13

What style of wine is ‘Late Bottle Vintage Port LBV ‘ what are the aging requirements?

Answer 13

*LBV is aged in cask between 4 & 6 years before bottling.
*LBV is always product of single vintage, but quality may vary greatly.
*LBV no require decanting, and do not improve with bottle age.

Question 14

What style of wine is a ,Vintage Port’?

Answer 14

*Produced only in exceptional years, often producers declare a Vintage 3 years out of a decade.
*Decanting is always required, and will continue to improve with bottle age.

Question 15

What style of wine is a Tawny Port?

Answer 15

Similar style to Ruby Port, inexpensive and simple.

Question 16

What are the aging requirements for ‘Reserve Tawny Port’?

Answer 16

Blend from several vintages, and aged for at least 7 years prior bottling. Not improving with bottle aging.

Question 17

Explain Towny Ports with indication of age, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years old?

Answer 17

These wines are produced from high quality fruit and matured in casks , and displays more concentrated and developed character.

Question 18

What style of wine is ‘Colheita Tawny Port’?

Answer 18

Vintage-dated Port that spends a minimum of 7 years in cask.

Question 19

Give few declared vintages for Port production?

Answer 19

• 1991/ 1992- very good

*2011/16/17

Question 20

Describe Vintage Port?

Answer 20

Produced only in exceptional years, matured in cask for 2 years and then bottled.
Great aging potential, and will continue to improve in the bottle for many years.
Deep purple in color, sweet and full bodied, with 20-22% abv.
Very suitable with strong cheeses such as stilton or at the end of the meal.