Sherry Grapes and Growing Environment

Question 1

Where is Sherry production located? What is its general latitude and altitude?

Answer 1

In southern Spain, specifically in Andalusia. It is low latitude at 36⁰ and low altitude (0-90 meters ASL)

Question 2

What is the climate in Jerez?

Answer 2

Hot Mediterranean with dry summers and rainy winters

Question 3

What climatic influences does Jerez receive?

Answer 3

The poniente, a cool damp wind from the Atlantic that brings humid cooling winds in the summer

The levante, a hot drying wind from North Africa that makes the climate in Jerez more arid

Question 4

What is the poniente? What effect does it have on grape ripening for Sherry?

Answer 4

A cool damp wind from the Atlantic that brings humid cooling winds in the summer. It helps ensure that grapes do not become too ripe for Sherry production.

Question 5

What is the levante? What effect does it have on grape ripening for Sherry?

Answer 5

A hot drying wind from North Africa that makes the climate in Jerez more arid. It causes grapes to ripen faster and transpire more, which concentrates sugars. This can be a problem as too much sugar can make a hostile environment for flor.

Question 6

Why are grape sugar levels important in Jerez?

Answer 6

Sherry must be fermented to dryness prior to the introduction of flor. Too much sugar in the grapes will prevent a complete fermentation.

Question 7

Is Jerez cloudy? What effect does this have on grape growing?

Answer 7

It has a high number of cloud free days, leading to more sunlight hours that can fully ripen grapes but increase susceptibility to sunburn

Question 8

How large is the Sherry production area? What is it called?

Answer 8

The Zona de Producción de Jerez or Marco de Jerez is 7,000 hectares

Question 9

What denominations can wine produced in the Marco de Jerez be used in?

Answer 9

DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

DO Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameida (as wine or vinegar)

Question 10

Where is Pedro Ximénez grown in the Marco de Jerez?

Answer 10

It isn’t. It’s grown in the mountains above Malaga in the town of Montilla and matured in the Zona de Crianza.

Question 11

How is the Jerez Zona de Producción divided?

Answer 11

By soil type. Jerez Superior is designated around albariza soil, belived to be better for quality. It comprises 90% of plantings.

Jerez Zona is the other 10%.

Question 12

What is a pago in relation to Sherry?

Answer 12

Pagos are small, delimited areas within vineyards that producers believe offer unique characteristics than other wines made from the same plot.

Aspect, location, soil, etc. are believed to offer these unique qualities to the grapes.

Question 13

What is the key soil type in Jerez? Why is it important for Sherry production?

Answer 13

Albariza, a mixture of limestone, silica, and clay.

The clay in the soil retains and releases water during the hot, dry growing season.

The soil hardens on the surface when dry, creating a barrier that prevents evaporation of subsoil water.

The light color of the soil reflects light into the canopy, facilitating ripening.

Question 14

What effect does the albariza soil have on planting density and yield in Jerez? Why?

Answer 14

The clay soils retain water, allowing for higher planting densities and higher yields (around 70 hl/ha) than other areas in Spain with a hot, dry climate.

Question 15

What are the three soils that can be found in the Sherry Zona de Producción? On which soils is the majority of grapes planted?

Answer 15

Albariza, comprising 90% of vineyard area.

Barros

Arenas

Question 16

How do barros and arenas soils compare to albariza?

Answer 16

Barros has more clay content and arenas is sandier

Question 17

What are the principal grape varieties used in Sherry?

Answer 17

Palomino

Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria)

Pedro Ximénez

Question 18

What are alternate names for Palomino?

Answer 18

Palomino Fino

Listán

Question 19

What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Palomino?

Answer 19

99%

Question 20

True or False

Palomino is an early ripening variety with high acidity

Answer 20

False. It is mid to late ripening and loses acidity quickly as it matures

Question 21

What makes Palomino suitable for Sherry production in Andalusia?

Answer 21

It ripens well in dry, sunny weather

High yielding

Low aromatic intensity, favoring winemaking methods that impart flavor instead of extracting them

Question 22

What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Moscatel?

Answer 22

Less than 1%

Question 23

What local name might be used to refer to Moscatel in Andalusia?

Answer 23

Moscatel de Chipiona

Question 24

Where in Jerez is Moscatel typically grown? What kind of soils can be found there?

Answer 24

Around the town of Chipiona, usually on arenas

Question 25

Is Moscatel early, mid, or late ripening?

Answer 25

Late

Question 26

What makes Moscatel suited for Sherry production?

Answer 26

It is heat and drought resistant

Question 27

How does the aromatic profile of Mooscatel compare to Palomino?

Answer 27

Moscatel is very aromatic with grape and blossom character. Palomino is very neutral.

Question 28

What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Pedro Ximénez?

Answer 28

Less than 1%

Question 29

What wines in Sherry use Pedro Ximénez grapes?

Answer 29

Typically sweet fortified wines of the same name

Question 30

Is Pedro Ximénez an aromatic grape variety?

Answer 30

No. Its aromas are derived from drying the grapes in the sun and through maturation of the wine

Question 31

True or False

Pedro Ximénez is a thin skinned grape that accumulates large amounts of sugar but has little aromatic intensity

Answer 31

True

Question 32

Where in the Sherry Zona de Producción is Pedro Ximénez grown?

Answer 32

Trick Question!

PX is grown in the Montilla district of Córdoba and shipped to the Zona de Producción as either berries, raisined grapes, or (more often) young wine. Legislation in the DO permits this.

Question 33

What is the current state of Sherry producing vineyards?

Answer 33

They are being transformed to better accommodate mechanization of all annual viticultural tasks

Question 34

What is the traditional vine training system in Jerez? Is it still in use?

Answer 34

Vara y pulgar, a replacement cane spur pruning system, used to be the standard training system. Single and double cordon spur pruned VSP is popular now because it permits for mechanization

Question 35

What risk do growers who use VSP in Jerez attempt to avoid? Why?

Answer 35

Sunburn, which is a product of making the grapes more accessible to machinery

Question 36

What is the typical vine spacing in Jerez?

Answer 36

Typically very tight within rows (less than 1 meter) but wide between rows spacing to allow for mechanization

Question 37

What is the maximum yield permitted in Jerez? Is it achieved?

Answer 37

80 hl/ha, though this is rarely achieved. The average is usually 60-70 hl/ha

Question 38

Are Sherry grape vineyards planted on flat land or slopes?

Answer 38

Typically on 10-15% inclination slopes as these are where albariza is typically found

Question 39

How do grape growers in Jerez ensure the soil has sufficient water for the growing season?

Answer 39

Troughs are dug into the soil that helps to trap winter rainwater. Without the troughs, the water would flow down the slope. The system is named aserpia.

Question 40

What are the most widely used rootstocks in Jerez? Why?

Answer 40

333EM, 41-B, AND 13-5 EVEX

They are all vinifera x berlandieri rootstocks. Berlandieri offers limestone resistance needed for the Jerez soils.

13-5 EVEX is the most successful thus far. It is limestone tolerant, drought tolerant, and good yielding.

Question 41

True or False

Disease and mildew are problems in Sherry grape growing

Answer 41

False. The growing season is too dry for disease but mildew can be problematic after spring rains

Question 42

Is frost a problem in Jerez? Why or why not?

Answer 42

No. The climate is hot and the Atlantic offers a constant moderating influence

Question 43

Is pest management needed in Jerez?

Answer 43

Yes, against the European grapevine moth. Pheromone traps are the most used management technique.

Question 44

When does harvest begin in Jerez? Where does it start and end?

Answer 44

The first week of April, beginning in the inland vineyards (where it is warmer) and progressing to the coast

PX and Moscatel are harvested slightly later for higher sugar levels that aid the drying process.

Question 45

Why does harvest for Palomino in Jerez take place in early August?

Answer 45

To maintain acidity in the grapes and avoid autumn rain. Rot is especially undesirable for biologically aged wines.

Question 46

What ripeness characteristics are Palomino typically harvested at?

Answer 46

12% potential ABV

5 g/L total acidity

3.3-3.5 pH