What are the 3 main methods of fortification?
Fortification during fermentation (i.e. Port)
Fortification after fermentation (i.e. Sherry)
Fortification before fermentation (i.e. VDL/mistelle)
Name 3 popular VDL wines of France.
Champagne = Ratafia Cognac = Pineau des Charentes Armagnac = Floc de Gascogne Jura = Macvin du Jura
What is Port’s “lei do terço”?
lei do terço = “law of the third”, a decree restricting sales of Port to one-third of a house’s total inventory annually.
What are “Patamares” in Port?
wider terraces that can be navigated by tractor
What are the 12 factors the IVDP uses to determine the beneficio authorization?
(7 influenced by nature)
- location, altitude, exposure, bedrock, rough matter, slope, shelter.
(5 essentially influenced by man)
- grape variety, planting density, yield, training system, vine age.
What does the beneficio authorization in Port determine?
the max amount of wine that may be FORTIFIED in a given year, based on a matrix of the 12 factors
(Beneficio = the fortification of wine with spirit aka MUTAGE in France)
Port preferred red grapes
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, Bastardo and Mourisco Tinto
Port preferred white grapes
Gouveio, Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Rabigato, Esgana Cão, and Folgasão
How long is the average Port fermentation? What’s the ultimate goal?
average 2-3 days (very short!), the idea is to extract as much color and flavor in that short amount of time.
What is the average ratio of aquardente added to Port? What is the abv?
77% abv neutral spirit, generally added in a 1:4 ratio
What is the name of the traditional barrel used for aging and shipping Port?
a pipe.
Flavor differences in Ruby vs Tawny Port
Ruby Ports display darker color, more youthful fruit and spice tones, and a more aggressive, fiery character.
Tawny ports are oak-aged and develop more complex, mature tones of toffee, dried fruits, and toasted nuts over time.
What is a Single Quinta Vintage Port?
Essentially a single vineyard vintage Port. Oftentimes this is what a Port house will do when they cannot declare a vintage but want to showcase a single quinta’s vintage.
What is an LBV Port?
Late-Bottled Vintage Port (LBV) spends4-6 years in cask prior to bottling. (so the wines obtain some of the mellowed tones of a Tawny, but still retain the youthful fruit and directness of a Ruby Port)
What does the age indication refer to on a Tawny with age (i.e. 10 year, 20 year, etc)?
The age indication is not an average age of the blended wines in the bottle, but rather an approximation: for example, a Port labeled “10 Year Old Tawny” should taste like a 10 Year Old Tawny, regardless of the wine’s actual age.
What is Colheita Tawny Port?
a vintage-dated Port that spends minimum 7 years in cask (many stay in cask for decades).
What is the difference between a Producer, a Shipper, and a Paradista in Madeira?
producer = makes the wine shipper = purchases and trades wine, doesn't make it paradista = stores wine to sell it at maturity for a profit to traders
What are the 4 noble grapes of Madeira?
Sercial, Verdehlo, Bual, Malmsey (Malvasia)
What is considered the workhorse grape of Madeira?
Tinta Negra
If a variety is listed on a Madiera label, how much of the wine has to be that variety?
85% for NV, 100% if it is vintage
What were the major impacts of Phylloxera (1872) on Madeira?
the Tinta Negra workhorse grape replaced almost all of the red Bastardo and white Terrantez grapes. Previously in 1870s almost 3000 ha were planted, now only ~500 ha are planted.
Describe the Estugagem versus Canteiro process in Madeira.
estufagem process = wine is warmed in a stainless steel vat with coils of circulating hot water inside the tank
Canteiro process = wines are cask-aged for at least two years in lodge attics. Wine is exposed to the gentler, natural warmth of the sun for a much slower maturation, preventing burnt caramelization of sugars and resulting bitter flavors associated with rapid heating.
What is Rainwater Madeira?
popular in the US, medium dry and light in style, usually 100% Tinta Negra
What is Frasqueira Madeira?
Vintage Madeira aged for minimum 20 years in cask, the “epitome” of Madeira
What is Colheita Madeira?
single vintage, aged for at least 5 years, can be varietal or blend
What are Sherry’s 2 DO zones?
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda (only difference is that Manzanilla has to be aged in Sanlucar)
What are the names of the 2 influential and alternating winds that blow through Sherry?
levante = dry wind that cooks the grapes
poniente = humid wind that promotes the growth of flor
What are the 3 white grapes authorized for Sherry production?
Palamino, Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel
What is the “soleo” process in Sherry?
grape bunches are dried in the sun on esparto grass mats prior to pressing, usually for PX and Moscatel grapes
What does it mean if the sherry tank is marked with a palo (vertical slash)?
Wines marked as palo are fortified to 15-15.5% abv and are destined to become the more delicate Fino or Manzanilla styles.
What does it mean if the sherry tank is marked with a gordura (circle with a slash)?
Wines marked as gordura are fortified to 17-18%—a higher level of alcohol that does not permit the growth of flor—and will become Oloroso styles.
What is “Sobretablas” in Sherry?
the intermediary stage of aging for biological wines, at which point their final path is determined (i.e. as a Fino, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, etc).
What is Sherry’s solera process?
a system of fractional blending
Can Sherry wines be vintage?
yes, but it is very rare given the solera process
What is a “criadera” in Sherry?
the tier of butts from which wine is drawn and bottled, often 3-4 tiers but can be as many as 14
What is Manzanilla Pasada?
Manzanilla Pasada wines are like Fino-Amontillado wines, they lose the protection of flor and begin to show some oxidative characteristics.
Which Sherry style has a final abv of 15-18%?
Fino = light, delicate, almond-toned characterized by a high concentration of acetaldehydes, a salty tang
Which Sherry style has a final abv of 16-22%?
Amontillado = when Fino wines begins to age oxidatively, taking on a more robust, hazelnut character and slowly increasing in alcohol, and its flavor, strength, and color deepen.
Which Sherry style has a final abv of 17-22%?
Oloroso = meaning “fragrant,” demonstrates spicy, walnut tones and a smooth mouthfeel.
Describe Palo Cortado wines.
Palo Cortado combines the rich body and color of an Oloroso with the penetrating yet delicate bouquet of an Amontillado wine.
Are Sherry wines sweetened?
Often times, yes. They can be bottled directly from the solera but often they are sweetened and blended before bottling. They can also adjust the final color.
What does VOS or VORS indicate on a bottle of Sherry?
VOS = solera wines with an average age of over 20 years, VORS = solera wines with an average age of over 30 years.
ONLY Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and PX are authorized!
Name 3 fortified Spanish wines outside of Sherry.
Rueda Dorado, Málaga, Malvasia de Sitges (historical specialty of the Baix-Penedès)
Name 3 fortified wines of Portugal outside Port (and Madeira).
Setubal, Carcavalos, Pico
Can Fino or Manzanilla sherry be labeled as VOS or VORS?
No, only Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and PX.
What is Marsala?
Fortified wine from Sicily
What are the 3 colors of Marsala?
ambra, oro (golden), and rubino (red)
What are the 3 Marsala labeling terms indicating sweetness?
secco (maximum 40 RS), semisecco (40-100 RS), dolce (minimum 100 RS)
What does the vintage date indicate on a bottle of Marsala?
the vintage refers to the year of fortification, not the harvest.
Marsala aging designations and time:
(defined by time spent in cask)
fine = 1 year in cask superiore = 2 superiore riserva = 4 vergine = 5 years Vergine Stravecchio = 10 years in cask
What is Vermouth?
a fortified wine flavored by maceration with additional herbs and spices
Describe Palo Cortado and why a winemaker may classify their Sherry this way.
“It is critical to understand Palo Cortado is defined by taste profile and not process. It should have an aroma reminiscent of an Amontillado and the palate of a dry Oloroso. You will see a range of how producers explain the process of achieving this—some of which is more romantic lore than practical reality.” - Geoff Kruth
How long must Marsala Vergine Stravecchio age in cask?
10 years
What are the sweetening agents used in the production of Marsala?
mosto cotto (cooked must) or sifone (mistelle)
Are Marsala wines sweetened during or after fermentation?
can be either during or after fermentation, depending on the desired level of sweetness
What is “sifone” and where is it used?
Sifone is a mistelle produced by fortifying unfermented must of overripe grapes, used to adjust both color and sweetness in Marsala wines.
What are the three colors of Marsala wines?
ambra, oro (golden), and rubino
Describe the practice of “concia” in Sicily.
Concia is the addition of mosto cotto (cooked must) used to color or sweeten Marsala, but only permitted in ambra styles.
What red grapes are allowed for Marsala Rubino wines?
Perricone, Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), and Nerello Mascalese (and White grapes may comprise a maximum 30% of the rubino production.)
What are the 3 categories to indicate Marsala sweetness on a label? How much RS is in each?
secco (maxium 40 g/l RS), semisecco (40-100 g/l RS), and dolce (minimum 100 g/l RS)
What does Vergine Stravecchio indicate on a bottle of Marsala?
The wine has spent a minimum ten years in cask.
What is the primary difference between Vintage Marsala and other Vintage fortified wines?
The vintage refers to the year of fortification, not the harvest.
What are the aging classifications for Marsala?
Fine: Minimum 1 year in cask
Superiore: Minimum 2 years in cask
Superiore Riserva: Minimum 4 years in cask
Vergine/Solera: Minimum 5 years in cask
Vergine Riserva/Solera Riserva/Vergine and Solera Stravecchio: Minimum 10 years in cask
Name the grape varieties used in Marsala Ambra or Oro wines. Which ones are considered the more desirable grapes?
Grillo, Ansonica (Inzolia), Catarratto, Damaschino. Grillo and Inzolia are the preferred grapes. Catarratto is a high-yielding grape and still the most planted grape in Sicily.
True or False: Vergine styles of Marsala may not be sweetened.
True, Vergine Marsala is fortified after fermentation and does not permit the addition of sweetening agents and is therefore secco in style.
How long does Marsala Superiore spend in cask?
at least 2 years.
How long does Marsala Superiore Riserva spend in cask?
at least 4 years.
How long does Marsala Solera spend in cask?
at least 5 years.
Can you name a Marsala producer other than De Bartoli?
Lombardo, Pellegrino
Potential pairings for Marsala?
Pair dry Marsala with smoked meats, assorted nuts or olives, or simply Classic Chicken Marsala. Chocolate-based desserts are great for sweet Marsala.
How long does Marsala Vergine Riserva spend in cask?
at least 10 years (Vergine Riserva is the same as Vergine Stravecchio).
What was Sicily’s first DOC?
Etna, shortly followed by Marsala DOC.
What part of the island is Marsala made?
far west side, in and around town of Marsala
About what alcohol range are Marsala wines?
Minimum for Fine is 17.5%, for all other styles the minimum is 18%
