Sherry

Question 1

How is Sherry aged?

Answer 1

Solara system - biological or oxidative aging or both

Question 2

Sherry must be matured within the city limits of what three Spanish towns?

Answer 2

Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa Maria

Question 3

Jerez - What is the name of the soil? Describe it.

Answer 3

Albariza. It has a very high chalk content. Provides good drainage and water holding capacity. It forms a hard crust during the summer that limits water evaporation.

Question 4

Describe Jerez’s climate.

Answer 4

Hot, sunny Mediterranean climate with high annual rainfall. Vineyards nearer the coast are on average cooler and benefit from the cool, westerly wind known as the poniente. Levante, the hot wind from the east, sometimes offsets the westerly wind.

Question 5

What grape varieties are permitted in Jerez?

Answer 5

Palomino, Pedro Ximenez (PX), Muscat of Alexandria. Palomino accounts for the vast majority.

Question 6

Describe the palomino grape.

Answer 6

Low in acid and lacks obvious varietal aromas.

Question 7

What are Pedro Ximenez and Muscat of Alexandria grapes typically used for? Where do the PX grapes often come from?

Answer 7

These grapes are often sun dried and used in the production of sweet sherries. Most of the PX grapes come from Montilla-Moriles - regulations allow them to be used in the production of Sherry.

Question 8

Under what conditions does flor flourish?

Answer 8

Alcohol < 15.5%, cool temperature, high humidity. It grows more vigorously in the spring and autumn, dies back in winter and summer.

Question 9

How does manzanilla differ from fina?

Answer 9

Manzanilla is aged in the cooler, more humid coastal region which guarantees a thick layer of flor throughout the year. Wines have a more intensely tangy aroma.

Question 10

What is albariza?

Answer 10

Chalky soil in Jerez. During the summer, it forms a hard crust that limits evaporation from soil.