Sherry Winemaking Flashcards
How long after arrival at the winery are grapes used for Sherry rested before being pressed?
They aren’t rested. The grapes are pressed immediately.
Is maceration or other skin contact the norm in Sherry production?
No. Skin contact is not desirable in Sherry production, especially in biological styles.
The press fractions in Jerez are used for different purposes. What are they, how are they used, and why in that way?
The free run, called “primera yema,” comes from the lightest pressings and is used primarily in biological styles. Later pressings, richer in phenols due to the increased pressure, is used in oxidative styles as phenolics interfere with flor growth.
The final pressings are used for non-Sherry products, such as seasoning wine for oak barrels.
What percentage of the grape yield on Jerez is comprised of free run and the first pressings?
60-75%
Will producers who primarily make Oloroso Sherry use free run juice in their wine?
Sure. Why not? It’s there, right?
What is the maximum permitted juice yield for Sherry production?
70 L per 100kg
Is the juice used in Sherry production clarified before fermentation?
Yes, because the albariza soil is dusty and can be found in the must. It is achieved by cold settling, centrifugation, or flotation
Are the musts from different vineyard sites in Jerez cofermented or separately fermented? Why?
They are fermented separately to permit more control over the wine flavor through blending.
What is the typical fermentation temperature in Sherry production? Why?
22⁰-26⁰C (a warm fermentation) as it is a reliable temperature when fermenting to dryness.
Do Sherry producers use cultured or wild yeasts?
Moat use cultured yeasts
Do Sherry producers seek to encourage aromatic or flavor extraction during fermentation?
No. Sherry flavors are derived from maturation
In what type of vessel does Sherry fermentation take place?
Usually stainless steel, though some are using old barrels to give a fuller body to their wines.
How quickly does fermentation progress during Sherry production?
There are two phases. The fast phase converts a majority of the sugar quickly (within the first week) due to the high fermentation temperature. The slow phase converts the remaining sugar over what is usually a couple of weeks.
Is malolactic conversion permitted or prevented during Sherry production? Why?
Prevented because acid levels are already low and buttery flavors are not desirable
How is malolactic conversion prevented during Sherry production? Why?
Typically by chilling as S02 will negatively affect flor growth in biological styles of Sherry
What is the First Classification (Primero Classificado) in regards to Sherry?
The analysis of a batch of base wine immediately after fermentation to determine if it will be used for biological or oxidative aging.
During the First Classification in Shery production, how are wines classified?
Lighter bodied, less intense wines are used in biologically aged styles
Fuller bodied, more intense styles are used for oxidatively aged styles
How are base wines destined for biologically aged Sherry treated prior to the aging process?
After the first classification they are fortified to 15-15.5% ABV, the optimum alcohol concentration for flor development
How are base wines destined for oxidatively aged Sherry treated prior to the aging process?
After the first classification they are fortified to 17% ABV, making them hostile to flor development
What is used to fortify the base wines of Sherry?
A flavor neutral 95% ABV grape spirit
During Sherry production, what happens to the base wine immediately after it is fortified?
It moves to a holding tank system called sobretablas (above boards). The wines are held for several months before the winea that were tested in the First Classification undergo the Second Classification.