2017

Most recent year “declared” as a Vintage Port year by the Port Wine Institute (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto). Vintage Port, widely considered the jewel in the crown of all Port styles, is made only in years when the quality is declared superior. The 2016 vintage was also declared. For some producers, this is the first time in a century that two vintages were declared back-to-back.

“Old vines”—a common description on some wine labels—is an ambiguous term, sometimes applied to vines no more than 10 years old. However, there is an old vine that is certified by Guinness World Records. In which of the following countries can the oldest living grapevine be found?

A. Mexico

B. Slovenia

C. Israel

D. Greece

The wine region of Maribor, Slovenia, is home to the world’s oldest living grapevine. The vine was certified by Guinness World Records in 2004 and is the native red variety žametovka. At over 400 years old, the vine currently produces less than a gallon of wine per year. This small yield of wine is put into tiny bottles and given each year to presidents and other important world figures.

Heurige: The Winemaker as Cook

The best places in Austria in which to taste home-style food, drink local wines, and immerse yourself in everyday Austrian life are not cafés or restaurants. They are heurigen (HOY-rig-en)—rustic eating and drinking rooms, which… Continue reading

2017

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