Sherry Grapes and Growing Environment Flashcards
Where is Sherry production located? What is its general latitude and altitude?
In southern Spain, specifically in Andalusia. It is low latitude at 36⁰ and low altitude (0-90 meters ASL)
What is the climate in Jerez?
Hot Mediterranean with dry summers and rainy winters
What climatic influences does Jerez receive?
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
What is the poniente? What effect does it have on grape ripening for Sherry?
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.
What is the levante? What effect does it have on grape ripening for Sherry?
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.
Why are grape sugar levels important in Jerez?
Sherry must be fermented to dryness prior to the introduction of flor. Too much sugar in the grapes will prevent a complete fermentation.
Is Jerez cloudy? What effect does this have on grape growing?
It has a high number of cloud free days, leading to more sunlight hours that can fully ripen grapes but increase susceptibility to sunburn
How large is the Sherry production area? What is it called?
The Zona de Producción de Jerez or Marco de Jerez is 7,000 hectares
What denominations can wine produced in the Marco de Jerez be used in?
DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
DO Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameida (as wine or vinegar)
Where is Pedro Ximénez grown in the Marco de Jerez?
It isn’t. It’s grown in the mountains above Malaga in the town of Montilla and matured in the Zona de Crianza.
How is the Jerez Zona de Producción divided?
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%.
What is a pago in relation to Sherry?
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.
What is the key soil type in Jerez? Why is it important for Sherry production?
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.
What effect does the albariza soil have on planting density and yield in Jerez? Why?
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.
What are the three soils that can be found in the Sherry Zona de Producción? On which soils is the majority of grapes planted?
Albariza, comprising 90% of vineyard area.
Barros
Arenas
How do barros and arenas soils compare to albariza?
Barros has more clay content and arenas is sandier
What are the principal grape varieties used in Sherry?
Palomino
Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria)
Pedro Ximénez
What are alternate names for Palomino?
Palomino Fino
Listán
What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Palomino?
99%
True or False
Palomino is an early ripening variety with high acidity
False. It is mid to late ripening and loses acidity quickly as it matures
What makes Palomino suitable for Sherry production in Andalusia?
It ripens well in dry, sunny weather
High yielding
Low aromatic intensity, favoring winemaking methods that impart flavor instead of extracting them
What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Moscatel?
Less than 1%
What local name might be used to refer to Moscatel in Andalusia?
Moscatel de Chipiona
Where in Jerez is Moscatel typically grown? What kind of soils can be found there?
Around the town of Chipiona, usually on arenas
Is Moscatel early, mid, or late ripening?
Late
What makes Moscatel suited for Sherry production?
It is heat and drought resistant
How does the aromatic profile of Mooscatel compare to Palomino?
Moscatel is very aromatic with grape and blossom character. Palomino is very neutral.
What percentage of grape production by volume in Jerez is comprised of Pedro Ximénez?
Less than 1%
What wines in Sherry use Pedro Ximénez grapes?
Typically sweet fortified wines of the same name
Is Pedro Ximénez an aromatic grape variety?
No. Its aromas are derived from drying the grapes in the sun and through maturation of the wine
True or False
Pedro Ximénez is a thin skinned grape that accumulates large amounts of sugar but has little aromatic intensity
True
Where in the Sherry Zona de Producción is Pedro Ximénez grown?
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.
What is the current state of Sherry producing vineyards?
They are being transformed to better accommodate mechanization of all annual viticultural tasks
What is the traditional vine training system in Jerez? Is it still in use?
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
What risk do growers who use VSP in Jerez attempt to avoid? Why?
Sunburn, which is a product of making the grapes more accessible to machinery
What is the typical vine spacing in Jerez?
Typically very tight within rows (less than 1 meter) but wide between rows spacing to allow for mechanization
What is the maximum yield permitted in Jerez? Is it achieved?
80 hl/ha, though this is rarely achieved. The average is usually 60-70 hl/ha
Are Sherry grape vineyards planted on flat land or slopes?
Typically on 10-15% inclination slopes as these are where albariza is typically found
How do grape growers in Jerez ensure the soil has sufficient water for the growing season?
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.
What are the most widely used rootstocks in Jerez? Why?
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.
True or False
Disease and mildew are problems in Sherry grape growing
False. The growing season is too dry for disease but mildew can be problematic after spring rains
Is frost a problem in Jerez? Why or why not?
No. The climate is hot and the Atlantic offers a constant moderating influence
Is pest management needed in Jerez?
Yes, against the European grapevine moth. Pheromone traps are the most used management technique.
When does harvest begin in Jerez? Where does it start and end?
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.
Why does harvest for Palomino in Jerez take place in early August?
To maintain acidity in the grapes and avoid autumn rain. Rot is especially undesirable for biologically aged wines.
What ripeness characteristics are Palomino typically harvested at?
12% potential ABV
5 g/L total acidity
3.3-3.5 pH
