Chapter 43 - Sherry

Question 1

What is the climate of Jerez, Spain?

Answer 1

Sunny Mediterranean climate, although the vineyards that are nearer the coast are on average a little cooler and benefit more from the prevailing cool humid westerly wind known as the Poniente.

Question 2

What is the soil of Jerez, Spain?

Answer 2

“Albariza” soil, which has a very high chalk content

Question 3

What are the three grape varieties permitted in Jerez, Spain?

Answer 3

• Palomino
• Pedro Ximenez (PX)
• Muscat of Alexandria

Question 4

Which grape variety is used to make the dry wines of Jerez?

Answer 4

Palomino

Question 5

How is fermentation typically done for dry styles of Sherry?

Answer 5

In large stainless steel tanks at temperatures ranging from 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Question 6

For dry style Sherries, what are the two first classifications?

Answer 6

Those that will be sent for biological ageing, and those that will be sent for oxidative ageing. As a simple guide, wines made from grapes grown in the relatively cooler coastal vineyards and/or fermented at lower temperatures are more likely to be suitable for biological ageing.

Question 7

What is the stage of Sherry making known as “Sobretabla”?

Answer 7

Once the classification has been made the wines are fortified using a 96% abv neutral spirit. They are then set aside for a few months before they are incorporated into the Solera system.

Question 8

What is the vessel in which Sherry has to be aged?

Answer 8

In 600 liter oak barrels called butts.

Question 9

In the Solera system, what is the name of the “levels” which are butts that hold wines of different average ages?

Answer 9

Criaderas

Question 10

How many “criaderas” are there in the production of Sherry?

Answer 10

It can vary from as few as three to as many as 14.

Question 11

What does Flor feed off of and produce in the making of Sherry?

Answer 11

The Flor feed off the alcohol (and other nutrients) in the wine and oxygen in the atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide and acetaldehyde. It is acetaldehyde that gives biologically aged Sherries their unique flavor.

Question 12

What kinds of Sherries are aged oxidatively, without the presence of Flor?

Answer 12

Oloroso, PX and some Muscat Sherries.

Question 13

What kind of Sherry is aged oxidatively after a period of biological ageing?

Answer 13

Amontillado

Question 14

What are the styles of dry Sherries?

Answer 14

• Fino
• Manzanilla
• Oloroso
• Amontillado
• Palo Cortado

Question 15

What are the styles of naturally sweet Sherry?

Answer 15

• Pedro Ximenez

- Muscat

Question 16

What are the styles of sweetened Sherries?

Answer 16

• Pale Cream

- Medium and Cream

Question 17

What are the four categories of age-indicated Sherries?

Answer 17

• VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry; average age of blend is at least 30 years old)
• VOS (Very Old Sherry; average age of blend is at least 20 years)

Question 18

Which types of dry Sherry do not improve in bottle and should be consumed as fresh as possible?

Answer 18

Fino and Manzanilla, which have only undergone biological ageing.

Question 19

What term is labeled on Sherries that have undergone minimal fining and filtering?

Answer 19

En Rama

Question 20

What type of Sherry has only undergone oxidative ageing?

Answer 20

Oloroso