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!
Comments
passionatefoodie
E. Altitude
1WineDude
Glad at least one brave soul was able to get in here in between the server issues today to post a guess!
Drew Matich
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".
1WineDude
Thanks, Drew – it's… complicated. :)
Drew Matich
damn auto correct…CADASTRO
1WineDude
Drew – iPhone? Typing on that thing makes me want to have a psychotic episode! :)
Bob
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. :)
1WineDude
Hey Bob – after the last two days, I'm not sure I can even spell Yeidls! ;-)
Bob
Spelling is overrated anyway, dude, it's not like you're a blogger or something… ;)
Cheers, my friend!
1WineDude
Bob – :-P
Scotty Moran
D
1WineDude
Scotty! How's life in the Big Apple?
Thomas Pellechia
I'd say altitude–must be grown in the Douro Valley–but you said "apart from its location."
1WineDude
Thomas – Location is numero uno for sure, we're going for #2 here. Cheers!
1WineDude
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!
Bob
So I was wrong by 1%? What a complicated system, for sure! :) Bah humbug.
1WineDude
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…
Thomas Pellechia
Altitude: I knew it, but I didn't need a questionable calculation to come to that decision. Just common sense.
1WineDude
Thomas – yeah, there is certainly a lot of sense in that (provided you know your grape growing, that is!).
scarletlencher
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
1WineDude
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!
masi3v
I so had the right answer but your site shunned me! Hunkering down?
1WineDude
Masi – my site shunned *me*! Anyway, stay safe!