history denominations viticulture -making ageing diversity enjoy

The “Crianza” (ageing) history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The key factors of Sherry ageing

§ Use of casks (“botas”), heavily wine-seasoned. § Dynamic method of “criaderas y ”. § Different ageing periods for each style.

þ american oak casks þ 600 litres capacity þ only filled up to 500 litres (biological ageing) history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Manufacturing a “bota” (1) § Usually made of american oak and wine-seasoned for years. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Manufacturing a “bota” (2) § Usually made of american oak and wine-seasoned for years. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Manufacturing a “bota” (3) § Usually made of american oak and wine-seasoned for years. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The “bota” § Usually made of american oak and wine-seasoned for years.

§ Painted black matt so that leakage can be easily detected.

§ Limitless lifetime, as broken “duelas” (staves) are periodically replaced.

§ Exchange of elements through the layers of the wood (osmosis). history denominations viticulture wine-makingvinificación crianzaageing diversidaddiversity disfruteenjoy

The “bota”

CH3-CH20H

H20

§ Exchange of elements through the layers of the wood (osmosis). F Annual ullage (evaporation) of 3 to 4% of total volume. F Most of the loss is water → concentration. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The organoleptic power of Sherry concentration of the sensible components of the wine caused by the evaporation of water

100

80

55% 60

40

Volume (%) 20

0 5 10 15 20 Time (years) history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Biological ageing vs. Traditional ageing

biological traditional R Alcohol R Volatyle acidity R Acetaldehydes R Glicerine R Fenols R Colour R Residual sugars history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The system of “criaderas y solera”

§ A “dynamic” method of ageing . § Based on fractional blendings of different . § Different ageing systems for every style of wine. § Guarantees a consistent quality and personality for the wines, year after year. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy How does the solera work?

Sobretabla

2nd criadera “rocío”

1st criadera a n d a n a

solera “saca” history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy How does the solera work? history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy How does the solera work? history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy How does the solera work? history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

How old is this wine? What determines the average age of the wine? Sobretablas

1. number of scales

2. percentage of the “saca”

nd 3. frequency of the “saca” 2 criadera

The combination of these three 1st criadera factors (different for each wine) determines the rotation (R) of the total stock of wine in the system a n d a n a and consequently, the average age of the wine released: solera Total stock in the system R = Volume of “sacas” in a year

history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Complex blends in a solera system Example: composition of the different scales (in terms of wines from the different vintages) in a solera system made of four scales and founded 20 years ago, in which we do four “sacas” per year of 25% the content of the solera. En 2015 we do the “rocío” of the 3rd “criadera” (youngest scale) with wine from 2013. Añada Solera 1ª Criadera 2ª Criadera 3ª Criadera

2012 2010 0,39% 5,08% 26,17% 68,36% 2011 2009 10,99% 27,07% 37,12% 21,63% 2010 2008 23,74% 28,79% 20,87% 6,84% 1009 2007 24,38% 19,36% 9,49% 2,16% 2006 17,98% 10,58% 3,92% 0,69% 2008 2005 11,01% 5,15% 1,53% 0,22% 2007 2004 1,41% 0,41% 0,08% 0,01% 2006 2003 0,63% 0,16% 0,01% 0,00% 2005 2002 0,28% 0,06% 0,01% 0,00% 2004 2001 0,12% 0,02% 0,00% 0,00% 2003 2000 0,05% 0,01% 0,00% 0,00% 19992002 0,02% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 19982000 0,01% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00%

Weighted average at the beginning of 2013: 4,58 years history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy Runing the scales – the solera at work Traditional methods vs. modern technics: saca rocío

the basics remain the same history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The cathedral-like bodegas § Different styles and dimensions. § Common elements: high ceilings, windows to capture poniente winds, albero floors... § Stable microclimatic conditions. history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

Final preparation & bottling Saca

Clarification and filtering

Cold stabilisation

Final filtering

Bottling

“en rama” wine Wines not subjected to clarification nor stabilisation technics (only filtration). history denominations viticulture wine-making ageing diversity enjoy

The making of Sherry – the key ideas þ Base wine – it all starts with a white wine with something unique – the Flor. þ Fortification. level determines biological or traditional ageing. þ Ageing in special containers (botas) and special buildings (bodegas). þ The solera: a never-ending ageing system.

If you want to learn more... read this: & “Sherry”, by Julian Jeff & “Sherry uncovered” by Beltrán Domecq & “The Big Book of Sherry Wines” (various authors).