Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

What type of wine is known for its production using schist soils in the Douro Valley?

1. Sweet dessert wines

2. Fortified wines like Port

3. Red table wines only

4. White sparkling wines

The correct answer is: Fortified wines like Port

The Douro Valley, a prominent wine-producing region in Portugal, is particularly known for its schist soils. These soils play a crucial role in the unique characteristics of the wines produced in this area. Fortified wines like Port are the primary type of wine associated with this region, leveraging the distinct terroir provided by the schist. Schist, being a metamorphic rock, retains heat, which contributes to a longer growing season, allowing grapes to ripen fully even in cooler climates. Additionally, the minerals present in schist contribute to the complexity and depth of flavors found in these wines, particularly in Port, which is often produced through a method that involves fortifying the wine with grape spirits, enhancing its richness and sweetness. While the Douro Valley does produce other wine styles, such as red table wines and even some whites, it is the fortified wines that have put this region on the global wine map, and they are the most prominently recognized for their association with schist soils. Therefore, the identification of schist soils with fortified wines like Port is accurate and reflects the importance of the terroir in this specific wine style.