Sherry Flashcards
What is the latitude of Jerez?
36°
What is the altitude range of Jerez?
0-90 metres above sea level
What kind of climate does Jerez have?
Hot Mediterranean
What are the two winds that influence Jerez’s climate?
Poniente and Levante
What is the potential problem with grapes transpiring too quickly?
Concentrating the sugars and difficulty fermenting to dryness
What is the delimited area for growing grapes for Sherry?
Zona de Producción or Marco de Jerez
What are the two DO regions that grapes from Zona de Producción can be used for?
DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and DO Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda
What grape variety is an exception to the delimited area rule?
Pedro Ximénez (PX)
What is Jerez Superior?
A part of Zona de Producción with better vineyard sites on albariza soil
What are the smaller delimited areas within the vineyards of Jerez called?
Pagos
What is albariza soil?
Albariza soil is a mixture of limestone, silica, and clay that is very effective at retaining and gradually releasing water from winter rainfall, vital in a region that is very dry during the growing season.
How does the clay in albariza soil help with retaining water?
The clay in albariza soil helps with retaining water by gradually releasing it from winter rainfall.
What is the benefit of the albariza soil crust when it is dry?
The albariza soil crust when dry is helpful in reducing evaporation from the soil surface.
Why are higher planting densities and yields possible in Jerez than in other regions with hot, dry climates?
Higher planting densities and yields are possible in Jerez due to the ability of albariza soil to retain water.
What is the average yield of the Jerez region?
The average yield of the Jerez region is 70 hL/ha.
Why are high yields possible in Jerez for Sherry grapes?
High yields are possible in Jerez for Sherry grapes because they do not need to have the same concentration of flavours as grapes for unfortified wines, and most of the flavour comes through the maturation process.
How does the light colour of albariza soil help with the ripening of grapes?
The light colour of albariza soil reflects light back into the vine canopy aiding the ripening of the grapes.
What are the other soils in the Jerez region?
The other soils in the Jerez region include barros, which has greater clay content, and arenas, which is sandy.
On which soil are the majority of vines planted in the Jerez region?
The vast majority of vines in the Jerez region are planted on albariza soil.
What is the principal grape variety used in all dry and sweetened styles of Sherry?
Palomino (also called Palomino Fino and Listán)
What percentage of the vineyard area is accounted for by Palomino grape variety?
97%
What are the other two grape varieties used in Sherry production besides Palomino?
Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez
What type of climate is Palomino grape well-suited for?
Dry and sunny weather
Is Palomino grape an aromatic variety?
No, it is a neutral variety and does not tend to add much of its own primary aromas to Sherry wines
What is Moscatel grape used for in Sherry production?
It is generally used to produce sweet fortified wines of the same name
What is Pedro Ximénez grape used for in Sherry production?
It is used for the production of sweet fortified wines called PX or Pedro Ximénez, and as a sweetening agent
How are Pedro Ximénez grapes traditionally processed?
They are dried in the sun to further concentrate the sugar
What is the volume of Pedro Ximénez grape production within the delimited Sherry area?
Less than one per cent
Where else can Pedro Ximénez grape be grown besides the delimited Sherry area?
In the Montilla district in the province of Córdoba
What is the main reason for transforming the Sherry vineyards?
To accommodate mechanization of all the annual tasks including pruning, harvesting and soil management.
What is the principal training system used in Sherry vineyards?
Replacement cane pruning, also called vara y pulgar.
What is the reason for increasing cordon trained and spur pruned vines?
It is more suitable for mechanization.
What is VSP trellising?
Vertical shoot position trellising ensures the canopy remains open and arranged for easy mechanization, although some shading of the bunches is needed to prevent sunburn.
What is the maximum yield permitted by legislation in Sherry vineyards?
80 hL/ha.
What is the usual yield range for Sherry vineyards?
60-70 hL/ha, depending on the year.
How are the vineyards generally planted?
On gentle (10-15%) slopes where the albariza is mainly to be found.
What is the purpose of creating troughs or gullies down each row of vines?
To catch the winter rains and prevent most of the rainwater from flowing down the sloped vineyards rather than permeating the soil.
What is the most widely used rootstock in Sherry vineyards?
333EM, 41-B, and 13-5 EVEX (all hybrids of V. vinifera and V. berlandieri).
What is the most successful rootstock in Sherry vineyards?
13-5 EVEX, which was developed by the local viticultural research station and is tolerant of limestone soils and drought, while also producing good yields.
What is the main disease problem in Sherry vineyards?
Mildew in the spring due to warm humid weather after any rain.
What is typically used to manage diseases in Sherry vineyards?
Systemic fungicides.
When does harvest begin in Sherry vineyards?
In the first week of August, starting on the more inland vineyards and finishing with the cooler coastal plots by the second week in September.