47. Sherry Flashcards
What is the main town where Sherry is produced?
Jerez, Spain.
What are the two smaller towns where Sherry is produced?
Sanlucar de Barrameda and Puerto de Santa Maria
Who is permitted to mature but not sell Sherry?
almacenistas
What is the climate of Jerez?
warm Mediterranean climate, very sunny
What are the three main soil types in Jerez? What is the main content of each?
albariza (chalk), barros (clay), arenas (sand)
Why is rootstock selection critical for sherry production?
albariza soils are prone to chlorosis (inability to gain sufficient iron in limestone soil) if using the wrong rootstock
What are the three main grape varieties for sherry?
Palomino, Pedro Ximenez (PX), Muscat of Alexandria
What soil is favored by Palomino grape used for sherry?
albariza
What soil is favored by Muscat of Alexandria grape used for sherry?
arena
What are the two winds in Jerez?
poniente (cool and humid from the west [poner: sun puts down in west]), levante (hot and drying from the east [levante: sun rises in the east)
What are the two main classifications for dry Sherry?
Fino (with flor for biological maturation), Oloroso, (little or no flor for oxidative maturation)
What is flor?
Several different yeast strains that form on the surface of the wine.
What are the biological inputs for flor?
alcohol and oxygen
What are the biological outputs for flor?
carbon dioxide and acetylaldehydes
Describe the best environment for flor.
abv < 15.5%, cool moderate temperatures, high humidity
What is the best time of year for flor to grow?
spring and autumn
After fermentation, sherry wine is fortified to what level?
Fino to 15% abv, Oloroso to 17% abv
What is sobretabla stage of Sherry vinification?
after fermentation and fortification, wine is transferred to oak barrels for several months of rest, this is the new wine for the solera system to be put in the youngest (highest number) criadera
What is Manzanilla Sherry?
a separate Sherry DO made in Sanlucar de Barrameda, generally a Fino style