Andalucía Flashcards
Why did Sherry producers develop the criaderas y soleras system in the 18th Century?
To manage a surplus of wine from multiple generous harvests, to create a more consistent product
What is the climate of Andalucía?
Mediterranean with maritime (Atlantic) influences
Which two winds impact the Sherry region?
Levante
Poniente
Name the important soil found largely in DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.
Albariza
What is albariza soil called in DO Montilla-Moriles?
Albero
Which three grape varieties are authorized in the Sherry region?
Palomino Fino
Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel
Name the traditional pruning method used in Sherry vineyards.
Vara y pulgar (stick and thumb)
Why is Palomino Fino the perfect blank canvas for Sherry aging?
It ripens with low sugar and low acid, resulting in low alcohol base wines
Sherry producers can legally purchase Pedro Ximénez base wines from DO Montilla-Moriles for aging in the region. True or False?
TRUE
Moscatel de Alejandría is used for only sweet wines in Andalucía. True or False?
FALSE
What is the term for the “first press” of juice for Sherry which is typically used for Olorosos?
Segunda yema
After alcoholic fermentation of Palomino wines, what alcohol level typically results?
11-12%
Is alcoholic fermentation of base Sherry wines typically carried out by indigenous or cultured yeasts?
Indigenous yeasts
Sherry base wines with distinct paleness and finesse are destined to be Olorosos. True or False?
FALSE (They become Fino or Manzanilla)
What alcohol level are wines destined to be Fino fortified to?
15-15.5%
How long does it take flor’s food supply to be depleted when using biological aging?
12-18 months
Why must Oloroso Sherries be fortified to at least 17%?
Acetobacter bacteria are inhibited which restricts the growth of flor
What is the term for a tier (level) of a solera?
Criadera
What type of oak is a “botega butt” and how big is it?
American oak, 159 gal/600 l
What is the Spanish word for “chamomile”?
Manzanilla
What is the term for a Sherry that is “naturally made” with only light filtering?
En rama
Which type of Sherry goes through largely the same process as an Amontillado?
Palo Cortado
Which blended sherry is created by combining Fino/Manzanilla and RCGM?
Dry and Pale Cream
Medium cream sherry is created by combining wich two components?
Amontillado with Moscatel, PX, or RCGM
What is the minimun average age of a “Vinum Optimum Signatum” (VOS) Sherry?
20 years
The “Vinos con Indicación de Edad” (Sherry Wines with Indication of Age) category applies to which four Sherry types?
Amontillado
Oloroso
Palo Cortado
Pedro Ximénez
What is the “Marco de Jerez”?
The nine towns which comprise the two Sherry regions
What is unique about areas labeled “Jerez Superior?”
Albariza soils
What are the two primary grapes for vino dulce production in DO Málaga?
Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel de Alejandría/Málaga
What is the name of the sandy topsoil atop clay subsoil in DO Montilla-Moriles?
Ruedos
Name the grape drying process for sweet Pedro Ximénez in DO Montilla-Moriles.
Soleo or asoleado
DO Málaga produces still dry wines. True or False?
FALSE (Still dry wines are produced in DO Sierras de Málaga)
What are the mountain chains of Sistema Betico?
Cordillera…
Prebetica
Penibetica
Subbetica
What two rivers flow through Sherry country?
Guadalete
Guadalquivir
What is the northern mountain range of Andalucia?
Sierra Morena
What are the ‘benefits’ of Albariza?
Reflects Sunlight
Retains Humidity
Stores Water from Rains
Creates Hard, Protective Crust
What are two definitions of Albero?
- Sand flooring in Sherry Bodegas
- Local name for Albariza soil in Montilla-Moriles DO
What is a synonym of Palamino Fino?
Listan Blanco
What are four building features of Sherry Cathedrals?
- High Ceilings
- Thick, porous walls
- Outside painted white to reflect sun
- Albero floors (sand)
What is the orientation and shape of sherry bodegas?
Rectangular in shape
Oriented on Northeast-Southwest Axis allowing for the Humid, westerly Poniente to enter while blocking the dry, easterly Levante
What are the three pressings of Sherry?
- Primera Yama (Fino)
- Segunda Yama (Oloroso)
- Mosto Prensa (Distillation)
What sherry pressing is only used for distillation?
Mosto Prensa
What is mitad y mitad?
50/50 Blend of Distilled Spirit and mature sherry.
Used to fortify and possibly kill the flor
What is the most abundant strain of yeast for flor?
Saccharomyces beticus
What is the ageing minimum for biologically aged wines in Sherry?
2 Years
Fino and Manzanilla
