SEARCH
You are in browse mode. You must login to use MEMORY

   Log in to start

level: How Sherry is Made: Base Wine

Questions and Answers List

level questions: How Sherry is Made: Base Wine

QuestionAnswer
What are zapatos de pisar?Spiked shoes traditionally worn by men who pressed the grapes by marching on them.
Name the three press fractions generated by crushing the grapes.Primera yema, segunda yema and mosto prensa
What portion of the total volume is the primera yema?65%
How is the primera yema used?The primera yema is typically used for the production of Fino sherries.
What portion of the total volume is the segunda yema?23%
How is the segunda yema used?The segunda yema is typically used for the production of Oloroso sherries.
How is the mosto prensa used?The mosto prensa is used for distillation, not sherry production.
What kinds of yeasts are used in alcoholic fermentation?Only indigenous yeasts are used in alcoholic fermentation.
What is the RS of the base wine after fermentation?0%, the wines are fermented to dryness, with abv between 11% and 12%
Where is the base wine fermented?At special winemaking facilities near the vineyards to mitigate oxidation and spoilage.
What type of vessels are used for alcoholic fermentation?Generally, temperature-controlled stainless, but some use traditional 500-600 l wooden butts.
What is the first classification?Based on color, clarity and aroma, wines are categorized for biological or oxidative aging.
How are wines with distinct paleness and finesse categorized?These wines are destined to be aged biologically under a layer of flor as Finos or Manzanillas.
How are wines with greater structure categorized?Wines with greater structure are earmarked to age by pure physio-chemical oxidation as Olorosos.
After classification, what is used to fortify the base wines?With a 50/50 mixture of distilled grape spirit and mature sherry. This is known as mitad y mitad.
To what extent are Fino/Manzanilla wines fortified?15-15.5%. Above 17% will kill flor.
To what extent are Oloroso wines fortified?Minimum of 17% to prevent development of flor.
What is the sobretabla?After fortification, but before aging, the wines are allowed 3-12 months to develop, after which they will be resampled to confirm or change the original classification.
If a barrel of Fino does not have a flourishing flor colony after sobretabla, what will happen to it?It will be fortified to 17% and aged as an Oloroso.
What happens to wines not worthy of sherry production?They used to make sherry vinegar.