Welcome to the Weekly Wine Quiz! This week… well, hell, I’m not gonna sugar-coat it, this week you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Standard disclaimer: I supply a quiz question each week, but I do *not* supply the quiz answer right away. It’s YOU who supply your *most awesome guess* as to that answer in the comments, and then tune back in later today in the comments section for the official answer.
This Is ImPORTant: Apart from its location, which of the following is the most important factor in the classification of Port vineyards in Portugal?
- A. Vine training
- B. Soil type
- C. Slope
- D. Yield
- E. Altitude
Cheers, and best of luck!
E. Altitude
Glad at least one brave soul was able to get in here in between the server issues today to post a guess!
Feels like a bit of a trick question since all of those factors are taken into account in the cadaster, but I'll go with D. Yield, since that seems to be the ultimate answer to the question asked by the "system".
Thanks, Drew – it's… complicated. :)
damn auto correct…CADASTRO
Drew – iPhone? Typing on that thing makes me want to have a psychotic episode! :)
Yields!
I believe they try to keep quality high by limiting yields relative to the quality of the grapes. Unless I'm totally confused and thinking of something else… which wouldn't surprise me. :)
Hey Bob – after the last two days, I'm not sure I can even spell Yeidls! ;-)
Spelling is overrated anyway, dude, it's not like you're a blogger or something… ;)
Cheers, my friend!
Bob – :-P
D
Scotty! How's life in the Big Apple?
I'd say altitude–must be grown in the Douro Valley–but you said "apart from its location."
Thomas – Location is numero uno for sure, we're going for #2 here. Cheers!
Alright, you've all suffered long enough!
Here's the Official Wine Quiz Answer:
E. Altitude
According to the Center For Wine Origins, Altitude is the most important factor for the "grade" (A through F) given to a Port vineyard by Portugal's IVDP (which governs and promotes the quality and quantity of Port wines produced). It accounts for 21% of the points that make up a vineyards grade in their classification system, edging out Yield which accounts for 20% of the grade.
However, I'm not sure where they got the 20% calculation!
Long story short, the calculation is a bit complex and the various factors can influence one another, but altitude has the largest swing of the remaining factors outside of Location, from -900 to +240 points.
Cheers!
So I was wrong by 1%? What a complicated system, for sure! :) Bah humbug.
Bob – Truth be told, I don't know, the calculation is wacky! In any case, I'm reasonably convinced that the CWO is correct, but I'm also reasonably convinced that the percentage is off. Best for us all to drink a lot of Tawny and then probably forget about the math…
Altitude: I knew it, but I didn't need a questionable calculation to come to that decision. Just common sense.
Thomas – yeah, there is certainly a lot of sense in that (provided you know your grape growing, that is!).
Hi Joe,
Thanks for this wonderful article! I just booked my first tasting of fine wine in calgary and was wondering if you had recommendations for any local wines? I don't want to make any mistakes so I come to the professional!
Thanks so much, Scarlet
Scarlet- Thanks. Sorry to say that I don't know the wine scene up in Calgary, so *you* will be the expert coming back here to tell us what was good! Enjoy, and seriously would love to hear about the tastings. Cheers!
I so had the right answer but your site shunned me! Hunkering down?
Masi – my site shunned *me*! Anyway, stay safe!