Andalucía Flashcards
Andalucía Climate
Mediterranean w Atlantic influence
What winds affect Andalucía?
Azores High
Poniente - important in Jerez. W Atlantic wind, cool, humid
Levante - hot, dry, drops humidity. From S/SE
Andalucía Topography
Sierra Morena (natural border Extremadure & CLM - N) Sistema Bético (S/SE - consisting of Cordillera Prebética, Subbética & Penibética Guadalquivir River & Guadalete River are most important
Explain what Albariza is?
Soitype with characteristically white hue
30-80% chalk combined with limestone, clay, sand
Rich in calcium carbonate
Reflects sunlight
Retains humidity
Stores water
largely found in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Pockets of it in DO Montilla-Moriles - synonym “albero”
What century were “criaderes y soleras” created? Why?
18th c
Established to accommodate numerous generous harvest, and to create consistency in product
Palomino Fino
general facts
Native to Andalucía synonym: Listán Blanco typically on Albariza soil Thin skinned, vigorous Ideal for fortified wines Low acid Neutral, low alcohol
Pedro Ximénez
genreal facts
Native to Andalucía Thick skinned Productive Susceptible to rot/mildew Late ripening Low acid often sun-dried to concentrate sugars & aromas viscous & raisiny character sweetening agent for sherry
Moscatel de Alejandria
general facts
Ancient mediterranean variety Offspring of Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains Late ripening High sugar levels primarily used for dessert wines exotic aromas - orange blossom, rose petals sweetening agent for sherry
Jerez Superior
Subdivision of production zone
All Albariza soils
Zona de Crianza
Sherry Triangle Aging and maturing zone Jerez de la Frontera El Puerto de Santa Maria Sanlúcar de Barrameda Sherry must be aged here (grapes can come from any of 9 towns)
How many zones of production can grow grapes?
9
When were the first regulations imposed in Jerez?
1483
What year did Jerez-Xérès-Sherry gain DO?
1933
What year did Sanlúcar de Barrameda gain DO?
1964
What are the 3 sherry base wines?
Primera Yema
Segunda Yema
Mosto Prensa
Explain Primera Yema
mostlyfree run juice
Typically used for Fino and Manzanilla
About 65% of total volume
Explain Segunda Yema
Pressed juice
About 22% of total
more color & tannin
Typically for Oloroso
Explain Mosto Prensa
Harshly pressed
Coarse & inelegant Juice
12% of total
Used for distillation - not for Sherry production
Sherry classifications & procedures
prior to sobretable
classified by color, clarity & aromas
-> distinct paleness & finesse age as Fino or Manzannillas / marked with "/" biological aging under flor fortified to 15-15,5% -> greater structure age as Oloroso / marked with "o" aging with pure physio-chemical oxidation - direct contact to air fortified to min of 17%
Biologically & Oxidatively aged Sherries
tasting typicities
Finos - doughy, roasted almond
Manzanillas - more chamomile, almonds, salty finish
Amontillado - dark, nutty, Cashews or hazelnuts, tobacco
Oloroso - dark-colored, walnut, toasted & balsamic notes
(Palo Cortado - aroma & elegance of an Amontillado - but flavor, color & body of Oloroso)
Vinos Generosos
Dry Sherries
Biologically and Oxidative aged Sherries
Amontillado - start as fino/manzanilla. If yeast is not performing well, redirected, fortified to 17% and aged as Oloroso
Palo Cortado -
Oxidative aged Sherries
Oloroso - walnut, balsamic
Vinos Dulces Naturales
Naturally sweet Sherries
Pedro Ximénez & Moscatel de Alejandría
Moscatel (de Alejandría) Dulce
Min 85% overripe or sun dried grapes
Amber to mahogany in color
Orange blossom, honey
-> sometimes blended with PX or arrope for darker color
Pedro Ximénez Dulce
Min 85% overripe or sun dried grapes Vinified in Montilla-Morilles Aged in Sherry Triangle Syrupy, extremely dark intensive - figs, raisins, dried fruit
Vinos Generosos de Licor
Blended Sherries
Dry (Pale, Pale Dry), Pale Cream, Medium (Abocado, Amoroso, Golden, Brown, Milk, Rich) or Cream
Blended Sherries - Dry
Uncommon Fino/Manzanilla + RCGM (rectfied concentrated grape must) Pale yellow dough, almonds, wild herbs Synonyms: Pale, Pale Dry
Blended Sherries - Pale Cream
Fino/Manzanilla + RCGM
creating sweetness level: 45-115g/l
Pale gold
bread dough, hazelnut
Blended sherries - Medium
Amontillado (usually) blended with Moscatel, PX or RCGM
sweetness level: 5-115 g/l
Amber to dark chestnut
baked apple
subgroups: Medium Dry (5-45g/l) & Medium Sweet (45-115g/l)
synonyms: Abocado, Golden, Amoroso, Brown, Milk, Rich
Blended Sherries - Cream
Oloroso (usually) blended with Moscatel or PX
sweetness level: 115-140g/l
Dark mahogany
walnut, dried fruit
Vinos de Vejez Calificada
Sherry Wines of Certified age, eg VOS & VORS
Only Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, PX eligible
Age designation of wine bottled, NOT the complete solera
independent tasting committee supervises
Vinum Optimum Signatum VOS
belongs to Vinos de Vejez Calificada
Very old Sherry
Average age of 20+ years
Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum VORS
belongs to Vinos de Vejez Calificada
Very Old Rare Sherry
Avg age of 30+ years
Vinos con Indicadión de Edad
Sherry Wines with an Indication of Age Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Oloroso, PX independent tasting committee supervises Age designation of Solera systems - Criadera y solera 12 or 15 year old designations
Añada
Vintage Sherry Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado From single years harvest Aged oxidatively NOT part of Solera system Barrels stoppered, sealed, and strictly monitored by Consejo
DO Málaga
General facts
3 non contiguous growing regions 5 subzones Mediterranean Moderate rainfall 300-1000m Limestone, clay, slate
DO Málaga
Wine styles
Vino Dulce only
Moscatel de Málaga / Moscatel de Alejandría and PX
DO Sierras de Málaga
wine style
Dry, still wines
DO Pasas de Màlaga
production
Do for Raisins only
DO Montilla-Morilles
General facts
Mediterranean w continental influence
Irregular rainfall
125-600m
Albariza (Albero), ruedos (sand over clay)
What is the name for Albariza in Montilla-Morilles?
Albero
What is the soil other than Albero in Montilla-Morilles?
Ruedos (sand over clay)
Wine styles of Montilla Morilles?
Pedro Ximénez
still wines, vinos generosos & dulces
Most famous for “Sweet PX”
What happens after fortification?
prior to entering solera
wines moved to “sobretabla”( from tank to wooden butts for intermediary stage)
-> biologically aging wines: recheck within 3-12 months to decide if the stay under flor
Explain special Categories - Age Designated Sherries
Vinos de Vejez Calificada (sherry wines of certified age)
Vinos con Indicación de Edad (Sherries with indication of certified age)
Añada (vintage Sherry)
What does Sweet PX & Soleo/Asoleado mean?
Wine style very famous in DO Montilla-Moriles
drying process during production = Soleo/Asoleado
How is PX produced?
PX grapes hand harvested in Aug dried on straw mats (4-10 days) drying process = Soleo/Asoleado concentrates sugars & potential alcohol min sugar in must: 400g/l yeast can only ferment to 3-4% juice fortified (neutral grape spirit) to 15% matured in tinajas or casks categorized as vintage or solera
What are the five sub zones of DO Málaga?
N - Norte - most extreme temperatures
E - Axarquia - most important for vino dulce production
SE - Montes de Málaga - within montes de Malaga Natural Park
SW - Manilva - primarily raisin - DO Pasas de Malaga
W - Serranía de Ronda - primary production for still wines - DO Sieras de Málaga
What does “Marco de Jerez” mean?
9 towns within DE Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla- Sanlucar de Barrameda vineyard region: Jerez de la Frontera Sanlucar de Barrameda El Puerto de Santa Maria Trebujena Chiclana Puerto Real Rota Chipiona Lebrija
Which cities belong to the Sherry Triangle?
Jerez de la Frontera
El Puerto de Santa Maria
Sanlucar de Barrameda
What are the zones within Marco de Jerez?
Zona de Producción:
incorporated the nice towns of Marco de Jerez - it is the production zone
Jerez Superior:
subdivision of Zone de Produccion - only includes vineyards planted in albaziza (92%)
Zona de Crianza:
only area where sherry may be aged & labeled DO JXS or DO MSB
-> this zone is called the Sherry triangle
Explain Arrope & how ist it connected to Vinos de color?
used for blended Sherries - vinos generosos de licor
Arrope = a dark syrup
heating grape must over slow fire
reduce to 1/5 of volume
Vinos de Color:
Arrope & add Palomino Fino 1:3
age in solera
may be used as sweetening agent
vinos de color might be added
Explain the term Pajarete
different spellings: Pacarete/Paxarette
fortified sweet wine
primarily crafted from PX +/- Moscatel grapes
fermented & oxidatively aged (min 2 years in oak)
solera possible, not necessary
DO Malaga
What is the oldest regulatory body for wine and when was it founded?
1483 in Jerez - regulations of the guild of raisin & grape harvesters in Jerez
