Spirits and Fortified Wines Flashcards

Cognac is a brandy produced in France that must be distilled in which type of still?

Answer: Pot still (Charentais alembic)

By law, Cognac must be double-distilled in traditional copper Charentais pot stills (alembic charentais), giving the spirit its distinctive character.

Sherry is a fortified wine produced in which region of Spain?

Answer: Jerez (Marco de Jerez)

Sherry is produced exclusively in the Marco de Jerez, a triangle of towns in Andalusia including Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María.

What is the 'Solera system' used in Sherry production?

Answer: A fractional blending system using tiered barrels to maintain consistent house style

The Solera system uses multiple tiers of barrels; wine is drawn from the bottom tier for bottling and refreshed from younger wine in the tier above, creating a consistent, blended style.

Madeira wine is produced on a Portuguese island and is notable for which unique production process?

Answer: Estufagem — deliberate heating of the wine

Madeira undergoes 'estufagem' (heating process), either in temperature-controlled tanks or naturally in warm warehouses ('canteiro' method), creating its distinctive oxidized, caramelized character.

Which category of Cognac indicates a minimum aging of at least 2 years in French oak barrels?

Answer: VS (Very Special)

VS (Very Special) Cognac requires a minimum of 2 years aging in French Limousin or Tronçais oak barrels, making it the youngest permitted Cognac category.

Fino Sherry gets its distinctive pale color and crisp, nutty flavor from aging under which biological process?

Answer: Flor yeast (Saccharomyces beticus)

Fino Sherry ages under a layer of flor yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. beticus) that protects the wine from oxidation, creating its pale color and characteristic nutty, saline character.