Sherry Flashcards
What is the general climate of Jerez?
Hot Mediterranean
What are the 2 winds that affect Jerez?
Levante - hot, dry wind that blows from the east (can be damaging).
Poniente - cool, humid, westerly wind (encourages flor).
What soil type is the Jerez region known for?
Albariza
What kind of soil is Albariza?
How does it help grapes grow in such a hot place like Jerez?
It is a deep, well-draining soil with high chalk content.
Albariza stores water extremely well – enough for the vines to tolerate the hot, dry summers.
It forms a hard crust that decreases water evaporation from the soil.
Compared to other Spanish wine regions, what is the annual rainfall of Jerez?
When does it usually fall?
Jerez’s average annual rainfall compared to other regions is high (~650mm per year, falling mostly between in autumn/winter).
How do Jerez viticulturists maximize water collection for their vines?
After harvest they dig water collection troughs, or channels, between rows meant to capture any rain that falls during the autumn and winter. These troughs are purposefully dug to direct the collected water towards the vines, reducing run-off and increasing potential water retention.
These troughs are smoothed out in the spring.
What are the 3 towns in which Sherry must be matured?
Jerez de la Frontera
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
El Puerto de Santa Maria
What are the 2 DOs of Sherry?
Jerez de la Frontera DO
Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO
What are the 3 main grapes of Jerez?
Palomino
Pedro Ximenez (PX)
Muscat of Alexandria (aka Moscatel)
What is the most planted grape in Jerez?
Palomino
Palomino accounts for the vast majority (~90%) of all plantings in Jerez.
Palomino is a neutral grape that’s uniformly low in acid.
Why is Palomino ideal for Sherry production?
Because the styles of wines in Sherry are largely defined by either biological or oxidative maturation, Palomino’s low acidity and low aromatic profile make it ideal for this kind of production.
What usually happens to Palomino grapes after they are picked?
Palomino grapes are pressed immediately to prevent unwanted oxidation.
What style of wine is the first press of Palomino usually destined for?
Fino
What is the standard cask size in Sherry?
600 liters
Traditional Jerez producers will not ferment their Palomino juice in stainless steel, but rather in this vessel.
600 liter neutral oak butts
Barrels used in Sherry are typically French or American?
American
The use of American oak in Spain dates back to colonial times; American oak also has a tight grain (though not as tight as French oak).
Only neutral barrels are used in Sherry production.
What is the typical fermentation temperature range for Palomino?
22º - 26ºC
Sherries made with Palomino grapes are always fermented dry.
Sherries made with Palomino grapes are always fermented dry.
A
True - Palomino juice is always fermented dry (Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado).
Sherries such as Medium and Cream are based on Palomino juice but have sweeteners added to them after fermentation as an adjustment.
Which two grapes in Jerez are not fermented to dryness?
Pedro Ximenez and Muscat of Alexandria
Note: Muscat of Alexandria is labeled as Moscatel in Sherry.
In Jerez, what usually happens to Pedro Ximenez grapes after they are picked?
The grapes are laid on mats to dry in the sun for 1-3 weeks, known as the soleo or asoleo process. This drying in the sun concentrates sugars.
What are the two overarching styles of Sherry?
Biologically aged (e.g. Fino)
Oxidatively aged (e.g. Oloroso)
What is flor?
Flor is a layer of yeast that spontaneously develops on the surface of a must that has just completed primary fermentation.
It is after the flor develops that the capataz determines which category (Fino or Oloroso) the must is destined to become.
