Fortified and Sweet Wines - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards
(112 cards)
1
Q
What is fortified wine?
A
Fortified wines are base wines to which high-proof, neutral grape brandy is added to increase alcoholic strength to 15%- 22%. The purpose of fortifying wine is to add body and increase the wine’s ability to age.
2
Q
When can wines be fortified?
A
- Before fermentation
- During fermentation
- After fermentation
Base wines can be fortified at various times during the fermentation process depending on the wine style desired.
3
Q
What happens when a wine is fortified before fermentation?
A
No alcohol is created from fermentation of the base wine.
4
Q
What happens when a wine is fortified during fermentation?
A
This stops the action of yeast retaining residual sugar in the wine.
5
Q
What happens when a wine is fortified after fermentation?
A
Boosts alcohol levels; a dry wine is most often produced.
6
Q
What is Sherry also known as?
A
Jerez or Xérès
7
Q
In what year did Jerez-Xérès-Sherry become one of the first protected Spanish appellations?
A
1933
8
Q
True or False: Sherry is regarded as one of the world’s best fortified wines.
A
True
9
Q
Where is Jerez located?
A
In Andalusía on the Atlantic Coast of Spain near the tip of North Africa
Jerez is known for its sherry production.
10
Q
What is the climate of Jerez?
A
Hot and windy with a cooling maritime influence from the Atlantic
Jerez is known for its sherry production.
11
Q
What types of soil are in Jerez (Sherry)?
A
- Albariza
– The most prized soil is composed of white chalky clay. This soil reflects sunlight up to the vines and retains water during the summer heat. - Barros
– Brown clay - Arenas
– Sand
12
Q
What are the grape varieties used in Sherry?
A
- Palomino
– Major grape for all quality styles of Sherry
– 95% of all plantings - Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel
– Mainly used for blending, adding sweetness and color
– These grapes can also be found as sweet varietal wines
13
Q
What type of wine is produced as the base wine for most Sherry styles?
A
A neutral, dry, white wine from the Palomino grape
14
Q
When does fortification occur for dry styles of Sherry?
A
After fermentation
The degree of fortification depends on the style of Sherry being made
15
Q
What mixture is used to fortify Sherry?
A
A mixture of grape spirit and mature Sherry wine
These wines are fortified gently.
16
Q
What is the solera system?
A
A complex series of barrels used for maturing Sherry by blending young and older wines
While in the solera, young wine is progressively blended together with a series of older more complex wines.
17
Q
What does flor need to keep it alive in Fino-style sherries?
A
New wine to maintain the nutrient levels necessary to keep it alive.
Fino sherry is a dry, pale-colored and light-bodied style.
18
Q
What does the solera method ensure for Sherry brands?
A
Continuity and consistency of brand and style through blending multiple vintages
The solera method of aging is one aspect that makes Sherry unique and creates its distinctive flavors.
19
Q
What is the arrangement of barrels in the solera system from bottom to top in the context of sherry wines?
A
- Solera: Barrels with the oldest wines usually closest to the floor or the bottom row
- Criadera: The “nurseries”
– First criadera: Holds the wines that are the next oldest after the solera
– Second criadera: Holds wines younger than the first criadera - Añada: The youngest and freshest wines
20
Q
What are criaderas in the context of the solera system?
A
Nurseries for aging wine, with multiple levels of increasing age
The first criadera holds wines next oldest to the solera, and the second criadera holds younger wines.
21
Q
What is añada in the context of the solera system?
A
The youngest and freshest wines used in the solera system
22
Q
How does the fractional blending process work in the solera system?
A
- Wine from the solera row is bottled
- Wine from the first criadera is used to top up the barrels of the solera row
- Wines from the second criadera are used to top up the first criadera, etc.
No barrel is ever completely emptied, allowing for continuous aging.
23
Q
How much of the barrel volume of the solera system is removed every year?
A
A maximum of one-third
No barrel is every completely emptied.
24
Q
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the layer of yeast that develops on the surface of Fino-style Sherry.
A
flor
25
What year was the island of Madeira claimed by Portugal?
1419
## Footnote
This event occurred during Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
26
What role did the island of Madeira play during long ocean voyages?
It became an important refueling station
## Footnote
It was crucial for voyages to the Americas.
27
How did the unique character of Madeira wines develop?
Through repeated heating and cooling during ocean voyages
## Footnote
This process lasted months or even years.
28
What modern process mimics the historic development of Madeira wines?
Heating the wine during vinification and extensive aging
## Footnote
This creates the signature flavors of these long-lived, nearly indestructible wines.
29
Where is the island of Madeira located geographically?
In the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco
## Footnote
It is 625 miles from the mainland of Portugal.
30
What type of climate does Madeira, Portugal have?
Subtropical
31
How was the island of Madeira, Portugal created?
By volcanic action
## Footnote
This island rises sharply out of the sea.
32
What is the topography of Madeira, Portugal like?
Extremely mountainous with very little flat land
33
What type of soil is found in Madeira, Portugal?
Volcanic
34
List the white grape varieties grown in Madeira, Portugal.
* Sercial
* Verdelho
* Boal
* Malvasia (Malmsey)
35
What is the most commonly planted red grape variety in Madeira, Portugal?
Tinta Negra (85% of plantings)
36
How are vineyards in Madeira, Portugal typically structured?
Planted on steep hillside terraces
## Footnote
This method allows for better drainage and sunlight exposure.
37
Who tends to the vineyards in Madeira, Portugal?
Many small family growers
38
What is a key challenge in harvesting grapes in Madeira, Portugal?
Grapes must be hand-harvested on this difficult terrain
39
What is the process of fortification of sweeter Madeira wines?
Fermentation is stopped by the addition of grape spirit.
40
How are drier Madeira wines fortified?
Drier wines are fortified after fermentation.
41
What happens to Madeira wines after fortification?
The wine goes through one of two heating processes that give Madeira its distinctive character:
* Estufagem
* Canteiro
42
What is estufagem in the context of Madeira vinification?
Most wines are transferred to the estufa, a stainless-steel vat that warms the wine by circulating hot water through coils inside the tank. The wine is heated and held there for at least three months. With this method, the sugars in the wine will gradually caramelize, ensuring thorough oxidation, or maderization, of the wine.
43
What is Canteiro in the context of Madeira wines?
This method is used for a producer’s best wines. These wines are aged in an oak cask for at least two years in attics exposed to the sun’s natural warmth and undergo a much slower, gentler maturation process.
44
What are the typical age indications for Madeira wines?
5, 10, 15, and 20 years old.
## Footnote
Most Madeira wines are blended.
45
Fill in the blank: For sweeter Madeira wines, fermentation is stopped by the addition of _______.
grape spirit
46
True or False: Most Madeira wines are bottled as single varietals.
False
## Footnote
Most Madeira wines are blended.
47
What is the minimum aging period for Madeira wines processed using the canteiro method?
At least two years.
## Footnote
This aging occurs in attics.
48
What does the grape name on a Madeira label indicate?
Whether the Madeira is a sweet or drier style
49
What style are Madeira wines made with Sercial and Verdelho grapes?
Dry and semi-dry Madeira; these wines are fortified closer to the end of fermentation
50
What style are Madeira wines made with Tinta Negra grapes?
This grape name is not found on labels, but represents 85% of production; can be sweet or dry in style
51
What style are Madeira wines made with Boal and Malvasia (Malmsey) grapes?
Semi-sweet and sweet Madeira; these wines are fortified closer to the beginning of fermentation
52
What is Port?
Port is the most revered wine of Portugal and is considered one of the most sought-after sweet fortified wines in the world.
53
Who prized the juicy red wines from the Douro, Portugal?
The ancient Greeks and Romans prized the juicy red wines from the steep banks of the Douro.
## Footnote
Centuries passed before the British transformed these wines into what they are today.
54
Where does Port come from?
Northern Portugal along the Douro River
55
What is the climate of Douro Valley, Portugal in the context of Port?
* Warm to hot maritime depending on the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean
* The climate becomes incredibly hot and dry as one moves inland
56
Describe the topography of the Douro Valley in the context of Port.
Incredibly steep hillsides, rugged, mountainous
57
What type of soil is preferred for the best vineyards in the Douro Valley (Port)?
Well-draining schist
58
What is a key red grape variety grown in the Douro Valley in the context of Port?
Touriga Nacional
## Footnote
There are many others as well!
59
What type of vineyards are found in the Douro Valley in the context of Port?
Steep hillside terraces built by hand over centuries
## Footnote
There are many named quintas, or single vineyards
60
What were traditionally used for foot treading or crushing and maceration of grapes in Port vinification?
Lagares, or shallow troughs
61
How is fermentation managed during Port wine production?
Short fermentation to maximize extraction of color and flavor
62
When is Port wine fortified during fermentation?
When about one-third of the sugar content has been converted to alcohol
63
To what alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage is Port wine typically fortified?
19% – 22% ABV
## Footnote
Aguardente, a neutral grape spirit, is added to fortify the wine.
64
What is the neutral grape spirit called that is used to fortify Port?
Aguardente
65
What determines the style of Port wine?
Length of time the wine is aged in barrel and/or bottle
66
What are the styles of Port?
* Ruby Port
* Tawny Port
67
What is a Ruby Port?
* House wine of each lodge made from multiple vintages and vineyards
* Created to be an inexpensive, consistent house style or brand
## Footnote
Bottle-aged
68
What is Late-Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port?
Fruit sourced from top quintas and aged 4–6 years in cask
69
What is Vintage Port?
* The most expensive and age-worthy style
* Produced from top quintas only in exceptional vintages
* Vintage Port spends about two years aging in oak with the remainder in bottle
70
What is Single Quinta Port?
Fruit sourced from the best quintas in non-declared vintage years
71
What is Aged-Tawny Port?
* Wine matured entirely in cask
* These wines take on a nutty, oxidized character over time
* Age declarations on the bottle are approximations
## Footnote
Generally 10 Year, 20 Year, 30 Year, 40 Year +
72
What are the top recent white vintages of Port?
* 2005
* 2006
* 2010
* 2012
* 2013
73
What are the top recent red vintages of Port?
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2011
* 2015
74
What are Les Vins Doux Naturels?
French fortified wines that are sweet due to fortification during fermentation.
## Footnote
These wines are typically fortified to 15%–16% ABV.
75
What is the typical alcohol by volume percentage for Vins Doux Naturels (French fortified wines)?
15%–16% ABV
76
Name two examples of Vin Doux Naturel (French fortified wine).
* Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
* Banyuls
77
What is the geographical location of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise in the context of French fortified wine?
Southern Rhône Valley, France
78
What grape variety is used to make Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (French fortified wine)?
Muscat Blanc
79
What is the geographical location of Banyuls (French fortified wine)?
Roussillon, France
80
What grape variety is used to make Banyuls (French fortified wine)?
Grenache
81
What is Late Harvest in the context of sweet wine production?
Leaving grapes on the vine long into the autumn to increase sugar content
82
What is Noble Rot?
Botrytis cinerea, a mold that shrivels and dehydrates grapes in humid climates, concentrating their sugars
## Footnote
It also causes oxidation, deepening color and adding aromas of honey, mushroom, and saffron.
83
How does Noble Rot affect grape yields?
It drastically reduces yields
84
What characteristic aromas and flavors does Noble Rot contribute to wine?
Honey, mushroom, and saffron
85
What is drying grapes in the context of sweet wine production?
Late harvested, healthy grapes that are either shriveled on the vine or dried after picking
86
What is Icewine/Eiswein?
Wine made from healthy (minimal to no botrytis) grapes left on the vine far into winter, where water freezes, concentrating sugars
## Footnote
The grapes are hand-harvested while frozen and pressed immediately.
87
What happens to the water in grapes during the Icewine production process?
The water freezes, leaving behind concentrated sugars in the juice
## Footnote
The resulting juice is intensely sweet and syrupy.
88
What type of grapes are used for Icewine?
Healthy grapes with minimal to no botrytis
## Footnote
This ensures the quality and sweetness of the final wine.
89
What is the classic appellation for late harvest wines in Bordeaux?
Sauternes
90
Name the classic appellations for late harvest wines in Alsace.
* Vendange Tardive (VT)
* Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
91
What are the classic appellations for late harvest wines in the Loire Valley?
* Quarts de Chaume
* Bonnezeaux
* Vouvray Moelleux
92
What is the term for late harvest wines in Germany?
Prädikatswein
93
List the types of Prädikatswein in Germany.
* Auslese (may have botrytis)
* Beerenauslese (BA)
* Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
94
Which wine region in Hungary is known for Tokaji Aszú?
Tokaj wine region in northeastern Hungary
95
When did the Tokaji wine region start making sweet wines?
Fifteenth century
## Footnote
Incredibly old
96
What grape variety is primarily used in Tokaji Aszú?
Furmint
97
What are the grape varieties used in Tokaji Aszú?
White varieties, including Furmint plus five other white varieties
98
What does the term 'Aszú' refer to in viticulture?
Grapes picked at high sugar levels that have been affected by botrytis
99
How are botrytis-affected grapes processed for Tokaji Aszú?
Pressed into a paste and then added back to a dry still wine
## Footnote
The amount of paste added to the still wine determines the sweetness level
100
What determines the sweetness level of Tokaji Aszú wines?
The amount of paste added to the still wine
101
What is Eszencia in the context of Tokaji wines?
Wine made from the sugar-laden, syrupy, free-run juice from 100 percent botrytised grapes
102
What are the Italian words used to indicate grapes that were dried?
Passito or Recioto
## Footnote
These terms are commonly seen on labels for sweet wines.
103
Name an example of a sweet wine made from dried grapes from Tuscany.
Vin Santo
104
What is the name of the sweet wine made from dried grapes from the Veneto region?
Recioto di Soave
105
What is the name of the sweet wine made from dried grapes in Valpolicella, Veneto?
Recioto della Valpolicella
106
What is the term used in Germany for sweet wines made from frozen grapes?
Eiswein
107
What is the term used in Canada for sweet wines made from frozen grapes?
Icewine
108
What is the goal of stopping the action of yeast during vinification?
To leave residual sugar in the wine.
109
How can yeast be stopped from fermenting in the winery?
* Fortification
* Chilling the wine and filtering out or removing the yeast
* Chilling the wine and adding sulfur dioxide (SO2) to kill the yeast cells
* Adding sweetness back to a wine
110
What is fortification in the context of wine making?
Adding high-alcohol grape spirit to the wine to stop fermentation.
111
What can be done after chilling a wine to stop fermentation?
* Filtering out or removing the yeast
* Adding sulfur dioxide (SO2) to kill the yeast cells.
112
How can sweetness be added back into a wine?
* By adding unfermented grape juice to a wine as a sweetening agent
* By adding sweet wine to a dry wine
