Spain - terminology Flashcards
Lagar
a large, shallow stone trough introduced to Spain by the Romans allowing significant amounts of grapes that could be crushed by foot at the same time, yielding generous batches of wine.
Comisionados
French wine merchants / negociants
Anada
the vintage year or the year of the harvest
Ano
The year of the harvest
Blanco
White, referring to white wine (vino Blanco)
Bodega
Winery or wine-producing company
Bota
The 600-liter (160 gallon) American oak barrels used in the Jerez region of Spain for aging Sherry. Also known as “butts”
Cava
the name for some Spanish sparkling wines made by the traditional method. Cava is a specialty of the Penedes region of north-central Spain, bear Barcelona, but can be made in many provinces throughout Spain. In 2015, the Spanish sparkling wine producers who felt cava standards were not high enough split off to form the classification “Corpinnat”
Consejo Regulador
A local governing body that enforces wine policy for a given area, including the boundaries of the area, the grape varieties permitted, maximum yield, and so forth. Every Spanish wine region with a DO has a Consejo Regulador.
Corpinnat
the name for high-quality Spanish sparkling wines made by producers who adhere to strict standards set forth by Spaines Corpinnat association. Thines must be from 100% organic, sustainable vineyards in Penedes region; 90% of the grapes used must be indigenous varieties harvested by hand; the wine must be made by the traditional method, and 100% of the winemaking must be on the estate.
Correr Escalas
Literally, “running the scales.” Used to describe a continual part of the Sherry-making process whereby a portion of the wine in some barrels in the solera is taken out and used to replenish wine in other barrels in the solera.
Criadera
“Nursery” - refers to a row of Sherry casks, all of which contain wine pf approximately the same are and blend. Multiple criaderas make up a solera.
Crianza
the basic-quality, ever-night drinking wine produced by a bodega. The are less prestigious, less costly, and aged for shorter periods than reservas or gran reservas. The term is most often used in the Rioja region.
Dulce
“Sweet”
Flor
Spanish for “flower”, and the term used in the Jerez region of Spain for the layer of yeast cells that form naturally and float on the surface of manzanilla and fino sherries as they age in the cask.
Gran Reserva
term for a Spanish Bodega’s top wine, produced only in excellent years and then subject to lengthy aging. Each Spanish DO or DOca sets its own standards for how long a Gran Reserva must be aged, both in barrel and in bottle.
Joven
“young” used to denote a Spanish wine that was bottled soon after fermentation, and usually not made or aged in oak.
Lagrima
refers to a wine from from free run juice without any mechanical pressing. The word dereives from the latin work for tears-Lacrima.
Pago
a signle wine estate with exceptional terroir. Three official denominations of origin exist in Spain. In ascending reputation for quality, they are DO, DOCa, and DO Pago
Paratge
A viticultural site historically respected for the quality of the grapes grown there, comparable to Burgundy’s Lieu-Dit
Reserva
a Spanish wine produced only in excellent years and aged for a specific period of time. Each Spanish DO or DOCa sets the standard for how long their wines must be aged to achieve reserva status.
Rosado
Rose - vino rosado
Saca
The small amount of Sherry that is drawn off from the bottom row of barrels in the solera. After it is drawn off, the saca is what will be bottled and sold.
Sobretable
In Sherry production, the period of time a new wine spends before it goes into the solera. The Sobretable is usually 6-8 months, but occasionally up to a year
Solera
the complex network of barrels used for aging Sherry by progressively blending younger wines into older wines. Since the barrels are not completely filled, the wine is gently subject to oxidation during the process. Wine held in a solera is said to undergo the solera process.
