Flashcards in C43 - Sherry Deck (136)
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1
Where is the vineyard area of Sherry?
surrounding the town of Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain
2
Where must Sherry be matured?
Either within the city limits of Jerez or in one of the two smaller seaside towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria
3
What is the climate of Jerez?
It has a hot, sunny mediterranean climate
Coastal vineyards are a little cooler on average and benefit from the cooling effect of the poniente
Higher average rainfall than much of Spain, but low during the growing season
4
What is the poniente?
A cooling, humid, westerly wind in southern Spain
5
What is southern Spain's other wind (besides the poniente)? Describe it and the effect it can have on weather and vines
The levante
Easterly, hot and drying
It can send temperatures soaring, stressing the vines and damaging grapes
6
What ensures that vines in Jerez can cope with weather conditions?
The chalky albariza soil
7
What properties of albariza soil make it well adapted to Spanish weather conditions?
The high chalk content provides good drainage
It's also very deep and has an excellent water-holding capacity to sustain the vines during hot dry summers
8
How is soil water-retention maximised during autumn and winter in Jerez?
Rectangular pits are dug between the rows of vines to trap the water and reduce run-off
9
When are rectangular pits dug in Jerez?
After harvest
10
When are the rectangular pits smoothed over in Jerez?
In the spring
11
Besides water holding properties, what happens in summer to albariza soils to further their water retention properties?
It forms a hard crust that limits evaporation from the soil
12
How many grape varieties are permitted in Jerez? What are they?
Three
Palomino
Pedro Ximénez
Muscat of Alexandria
13
Which grape accounts for the vast majority of plantings in Jerez?
Palomino
14
Describe wines produced by Palomino
Naturally low in acid
Lacking in obvious varietal aromas
15
Why is Palomino ideal for Sherry production?
Because flavours come from biological or oxidative maturation, not the grapes
16
What is the flavour of PX?
It has very little varietal flavour
17
What is PX good for and why?
The production of sweet wines
Its thin skin makes it ideal for being sun dried
18
Where is Pedro Ximenez mostly planted?
Very little in Jerez - most from the neighbouring region of Montilla-Moriles where it grows more successfully
19
Describe the role of Muscat of Alexandria in Sherry
Only very small amounts are grown
It is used to make sweet wine
20
Which grape is used to make the dry wines of Jerez?
Palomino
21
Describe harvest of Palomino
Given the high temperatures at harvest time, grapes must reach the press as quickly as possible to avoid oxidation
22
Describe fermentation of dry styles of Sherry
Takes place in large stainless steel tanks at temperatures ranging from 20-25C
23
What is unique about the fermentation temperatures of dry Sherry?
They are high for a white wine
24
Why is it acceptable for the fermentation temperature to be high for a white wine when it comes to Sherry?
Producers are aiming to produce a neutral base wine
25
What are the key characteristics of a base wine for dry Sherry?
It's dry with approximately 11-12% abv
26
How and why are wines of Jerez classified in Autumn?
They are classified into wines that will either be sent for biological or oxidative ageing
27
How is it decided which base wines of Jerez will be used for which purpose?
It will be based on flavour characteristics
Paler wines with more finesse will be used for biological ageing
Darker, richer, heavier wines are selected for oxidative ageing
28
At which stage will flor have started to grow on the surface of the base wines of Jerez?
At the point of classification for ageing
29
The exact criteria for classification of Jerez base wines will vary according to...
The house style of the producer
30
