KeyTerms Flashcards
(129 cards)
Flor
A layer of yeast cells that forms on the surface of sherry wines, contributing to their unique taste and aroma.
En rama
A term used in Sherry production to refer to a wine that has been bottled directly from the barrel with minimal filtering and fining.
Almacenista
In the context of Sherry, an almacenista is a stockholder or warehousekeeper who ages Sherry, often selling it to larger sherry houses.
Poniente
A cool, damp wind from the Atlantic that influences the climate of Jerez, providing a cooling, humid influence in the summer.
Levante
A hot, drying wind from North Africa that can make the climate of Jerez more arid.
Zona de Producción / Marco de Jerez
The delimited area in which grapes for Sherry must be grown.
Albariza
A type of white soil in Jerez, rich in limestone, known for its ability to retain water.
Pagos
Small, delimited vineyard areas within Jerez that are believed to produce wines with unique characteristics.
Pago
Singular of ‘pagos’, referring to a single vineyard area within Jerez.
Barros
A type of soil in the Jerez region, which has a greater clay content.
Arenas
A sandy soil type found in the Jerez region.
Vara y pulgar
A traditional pruning system used in the vineyards of Jerez. (replacement cane pruning)
Aserpia
One of the tasks carried out on the albariza hillside during the winter in order to retain water is known as “aserpia” or “alumbra” and is specific to the region. It takes place after the harvest and involves building up ridges of earth between the vine rows to create a series of rectangular pits that serve to catch and store rainwater during the autumn and winter months, preventing it from running off and being lost down the hillside slopes.
Primera yema
Free run juice from the lightest pressings in Sherry, used particularly for biologically aged wines
Sobretablas
The initial aging period after Sherry has been fermented and fortified, but before it is classified and enters the solera system.
Zona de Crianza
The area in which Sherry wines are aged.
Criadera
Rows of barrels used in the solera system for aging Sherry, each row represents a different stage of aging.
Solera
A system of fractional blending used in Sherry production to ensure consistent quality over time.
Also, the name of the oldest Criadera in a Solera system.
Bodegas de la Zona de Producción
Wineries located in the grape-growing area for Sherry.
Bodegas de Crianza y Almacenado
Wineries dedicated to the aging and storage of Sherry.
Bodegas de Crianza y Expedición
Wineries where Sherry is aged, stored, and also packaged for sale.
Almacenistas
In Sherry production, almacenistas are small operations that age and mature Sherry, typically selling their stocks to larger houses for further aging or bottling.
Consejo Regulador de Jerez
The governing body responsible for ensuring that Sherry wines meet all appellation requirements.
Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro / Real Companhia Velha
The oldest wine company in Portugal, established by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756, which had a monopoly on the trade of Port wine for over a century.