Vocabulary

Question 1

What is Albariza?

Answer 1

White soil with high chalk content (up to 80%), best for growing grapes for sherry-making

Albariza is characterized by its unique soil properties that enhance grape quality.

Question 2

What is Albero?

Answer 2

A very porous material that increases and maintains cool conditions by gradually releasing water

Albero helps create a suitable environment for grape growing.

Question 3

Define Almacenista.

Answer 3

A firm registered as an Aging and Storing Winery of the DO, keeping inventories of aging wine for other wineries

Almacenistas do not sell directly to consumers.

Question 4

What is Amontillado?

Answer 4

Type of sherry wine that undergoes biological aging followed by an oxidative phase, developing complex characteristics

Amontillado is known for its amber to mahogany color and nutty aromas.

Question 5

What does Aserpiado refer to?

Answer 5

The process of banking vineyard soil to form pools for rainwater retention after harvest

This method helps in managing water resources during dry seasons.

Question 6

What is an Andana?

Answer 6

Arrangement of a row of butts placed contiguously, one-deep, with superimposed rows resting in angles

This structure is important for efficient wine aging and storage.

Question 7

What is Barro?

Answer 7

Type of soil with lower chalk content than albariza, generally alluvial and containing more clay

Barro is darker-colored and more fertile, suitable for certain grape varieties.

Question 8

Define Añada.

Answer 8

Vintage; wine derived entirely from grapes from one single harvest

Añada indicates the year of harvest and is significant in wine classification.

Question 9

What is biological aging?

Answer 9

Aging sherry under a layer of local yeast called ‘flor’

This process contributes to the unique flavors and aromas of certain sherry wines.

Question 10

What is Arena?

Answer 10

Type of sandy soil with low lime content, common in coastal parts of the Jerez region

Arena is suitable for specific grape varieties that thrive in sandy conditions.

Question 11

What is a Bota?

Answer 11

Wooden container in which sherry wine is aged, known by different names according to use

The size and type of bota can influence the aging process of the wine.

Question 12

What does Arroba measure?

Answer 12

Measure of wine volume equivalent to 16.66 liters in Jerez

Arroba is used in the context of wine production and sales.

Question 13

What does Cabecear (cabeceo) mean?

Answer 13

To blend (blending). The operation of blending musts or wines, or of blending these with grape alcohol.

This process is crucial for achieving desired flavor profiles in sherry wines.

Question 14

Who is an Arrumbador?

Answer 14

A workman who carries out operations of moving and storing butts, as well as drawing off wine

Arrumbadores play an essential role in the winery’s operations.

Question 15

What is Fino?

Answer 15

Sherry wine aged under a layer of ‘flor’ yeasts.

Question 16

What are Cabezuelas?

Answer 16

Lees in musts that accumulate at the bottom of the barrel over time.

Question 17

What is Encabezado?

Answer 17

Fortification, or addition of wine alcohol, to young wine (up to this point still referred to as must in the sherry region) with the aim of modifying its alcoholic content.

Question 18

What is Levante?

Answer 18

One of the two prevailing winds of the region. It comes from the southeast and is hot and dry (with humidity levels of around thirty percent).

Question 19

What is a Capataz?

Answer 19

Winery or vineyard foreman, in charge of other workers. Known by different names according to his duties.

Question 20

What is Manzanilla?

Answer 20

Wine obtained through biological aging in wineries located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Question 21

What does En Rama mean?

Answer 21

Sherry wines that have been bottled with a subtle, light filtration.

Question 22

What is Castra (castrar)?

Answer 22

Pruning (to prune) green growth to get rid of superfluous knobs and rectify previous pruning if necessary.

Question 23

What is Envinado?

Answer 23

The natural absorption of wine that, over time, will season the wood staves of the barrel.

Question 24

What is Manzanilla Pasada?

Answer 24

Wine obtained through biological aging in wineries located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda for a minimum of seven years.

Question 25

What is Corrida (de escalas)?

Answer 25

Running the scales. Operation of decanting wine from each sequence of butts containing similar wine of the same age.

Question 26

What is Escala?

Answer 26

Scale. Each sequence of butts, containing similar wine of the same age, that forms part of a criadera and solera system.

Question 27

What is Criadera?

Answer 27

Nursery. Each of the scales in a criadera and solera system, made up of a collection of butts containing wine of a homogeneous level of maturation.

Question 28

What is Jerez Superior?

Answer 28

A list of vineyards including those that, due to their agrogeological and climatological characteristics, are capable of producing high quality grapes for the production of sherry wine.

Question 29

What is Oloroso?

Answer 29

Powerfully aromatic, mahogany colored sherry wine in the fortified category, aged to an alcoholic strength that arrests the development of ‘flor’.

Question 30

What is Deslío?

Answer 30

Racking. Operation of separating must from lees.

Question 31

What is oxidative aging?

Answer 31

Aging sherry without the presence of flor yeast and in direct contact with oxygen.

Question 32

What is Poniente?

Answer 32

One of the two prevailing winds of the region, coming from the west and is cool and humid (humidity levels can reach 95%).

Question 33

What does Soleo mean?

Answer 33

Sunning. Exposing grapes to the sun so that they become raisins.

Question 34

What is a Pago?

Answer 34

A generally large area of cultivated ground encompassing few vines which share the same soil and microclimatic characteristics.

Question 35

What does the Raya symbol indicate?

Answer 35

It is used to identify first class base wines that will eventually be aged as a biological wine (under a layer of ‘flor’ yeasts).

Question 36

What is a Solera?

Answer 36

The first, floor-level, scale in a criadera and solera system, from which wine ready for consumption is extracted.

Question 37

What is Palo Cortado?

Answer 37

One of the fortified groups of sherry wines, aged without a film of ‘flor’, but which develops a typical aroma resembling an amontillado.

Question 38

What is the Solera System?

Answer 38

A dynamic system in which wines with different levels of aging are methodically blended to maintain a high level of quality, ensure a specific personality, and achieve a maximum degree of homogeneity.

Question 39

What is Palomino?

Answer 39

The main grape variety of those authorized for making sherry.

Question 40

What are Sacas?

Answer 40

Quantities of wine extracted from each of the escalas (levels) within the same solera system.

Question 41

What is VOS?

Answer 41

Sherry aged between 20 and 30 years on average. Vinum Optimum Signatum or Very Old Sherry.

Question 42

What is Pata de Gallina?

Answer 42

A type of oloroso, especially smooth and glyceric on the palate.

Question 43

What does (A) serpia refer to?

Answer 43

Digging holes and/or banking up soil between the rows of vines to form ‘reservoirs’ to catch and retain rainwater.

Question 44

What is VORS?

Answer 44

Sherry over 30 years old of average age. Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum or Very Old Rare Sherry.

Question 45

What is Pedro Ximénez?

Answer 45

One of the grape varieties permitted by the Denomination of Origin’s Regulations.

Question 46

What does Sobretablas mean?

Answer 46

Term applied to must that has just been fortified for various purposes, and which from then on is referred to as wine.

Question 47

What is Yema?

Answer 47

Must of the best quality, obtained by treading.

Question 48

What are the characteristics of Sherry wines?

Answer 48

Sherry wines have characteristics whose variations and nuances are rarely matched anywhere else in the wine world.

Question 49

Describe Manzanilla.

Answer 49

A very bright, pale straw wine with pungent, delicate aromas reminiscent of chamomile, almonds, and dough. Very dry, fresh, and delicate on the palate with a lingering, slightly bitter aftertaste.

Question 50

What is Oloroso?

Answer 50

Oloroso ranges from dark and floral notes to a slightly amber to deep mahogany color with an intense nutty aroma and a dry, bitter finish.

Question 51

What are the characteristics of Pedro Ximénez?

Answer 51

A dark, opaque, ebony wine with pronounced density, extremely fragrant on the nose with dried fruit notes such as raisins, figs, and dates, and a long, elegant dry finish.

Question 52

Describe Palo Cortado.

Answer 52

Amber to mahogany in color with a complex aroma merging notes of amontillados and olorosos, featuring citric notes reminiscent of bitter orange and toasted butter.

Question 53

What are Pale Dry and Pale Cream Sherries?

Answer 53

These range from straw yellow to pale gold in color, with pungent aromas of biologically aged wine, hints of almonds and dough, and a delicate sweetness on the palate.

Question 54

Describe Fino.

Answer 54

Fino is bright straw yellow to pale gold in color, with a sharp, delicate aroma reminiscent of almonds and fresh dough, leaving a pleasant, lively aftertaste.

Question 55

What is Dulce?

Answer 55

Dulce has an intense amber to golden color, aromatic and fragrant with marron glace, stone fruit, and toasted notes, slightly sweet and silky on the palate.

Question 56

Describe Amontillado.

Answer 56

Amber in color, delicate on the nose with aromas of hazelnuts, toffee, and tobacco, light and slightly rounded with a dry finish and lingering aftertaste.

Question 57

What are the characteristics of Moscatel?

Answer 57

Intense mahogany in color with a high density and remarkable floral aromas of jasmine, orange blossom, and citrus notes, very sweet on the palate.

Question 58

Describe Cream Sherry.

Answer 58

From light to dark mahogany in color, it has intense nutty aromas combined with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of dried fruit, full-bodied and velvety.

Question 59

Vinos generosos

Answer 59

Dry wines made in Jerez, almost exclusively with the palomino variety. Fino, manzanilla, amontillado, oloroso, and palo cortado all belong to this group.

Question 60

Dulces naturales

Answer 60

Naturally sweet wines made in Jerez, almost always from the moscatel or pedro ximénez varieties (and named after the grape from which they are made).

Question 61

Generosos de licor

Answer 61

Wines made in Jerez which are a result of the blending of vinos generosos and dulces naturales, a practice known as “cabeceo.” Base wine is dry, and an amount of naturally sweet wine is added. Medium and cream are two most common examples.