Sherry Styles (Generoso)
| Style | Aging | ABV | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fino | Biological | 15–15.5% | Pale, dry, almond |
| Manzanilla | Bio (Sanlúcar only) | 15% | Saline, lightest |
| Amontillado | Bio → Oxidative | 16–22% | Amber, nutty |
| Oloroso | Oxidative only | 17–22% | Dark, rich, dry |
| Palo Cortado | Unique (1–2%) | 17–22% | "Cut stick"; rarest |
Sweet Styles
PX: Sun-dried; black, viscous; 180–500 g/L RS
Cream: Oloroso + PX (Harvey's Bristol)
Pale Cream: Fino + RCGM (sweetened)
Medium: Amontillado + sweetener
Flor & Fortification
Flor Requirements
• ABV: 14.5–15.5% (>16% kills flor)
• Humidity: >65% (Sanlúcar ideal)
• Temperature: 18–20°C optimal
• Lifespan: 12–18 months; needs refreshment
• Humidity: >65% (Sanlúcar ideal)
• Temperature: 18–20°C optimal
• Lifespan: 12–18 months; needs refreshment
Press Fractions
| Primera yema | 65%; free-run → Fino |
| Segunda yema | 23%; pressed → Oloroso |
| Mosto prensa | Final → distillation |
Sobretabla Marks
/ = Fino • Mlla = Manzanilla • Ø = Oloroso
Key Terms
Mitad y mitad: 50/50 spirit + Sherry blend for fortification
Vara y pulgar: Traditional pruning (stick + thumb)
Solera System
Fractional blending: oldest wine at bottom (solera), younger levels above (criaderas)
| Bota | 600L cask; filled 5/6 |
| Saca | Drawing wine (max 1/3) |
| Rocío | Refreshing with younger wine |
| Correr escalas | "Running the scales" |
Age Categories
| Category | Average Age |
|---|---|
| Fino Viejo / Manzanilla Pasada | 7+ years |
| 12 Years / 15 Years | 12 / 15 years |
| VOS | 20+ years |
| VORS | 30+ years |
Añada = vintage Sherry (static aging, max 1,000L)
Marco de Jerez — 10 Municipalities
| Town | Role | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Jerez de la Frontera | Largest; most bodegas | All styles; aging center |
| Sanlúcar de Barrameda | Atlantic coast | Manzanilla only (thicker flor) |
| El Puerto de Santa María | Coastal | Maritime-influenced aging |
| + 7 more: Chiclana, Chipiona, Puerto Real, Rota, San José del Valle, Trebujena, Lebrija | ||
2021: All 10 towns may now age wines (previously only "Sherry Triangle" of Jerez, El Puerto, Sanlúcar)
Albariza Soils
30–80% chalk (CaCO₃); brilliant white; reflects sun; retains moisture. 90%+ of premium vineyards.
| Sub-type | Character |
|---|---|
| Lentejuelas | Loamy; ~50% limestone; coastal |
| Tosca Cerrada | Most common; ~60% chalk |
| Barajuelas | Layered; deep roots; powerful |
| Tajón | 80% CaCO₃; compact; rarely used |
Other Soils
Barros: Clay-rich; fuller wines
Arenas: Sandy; Moscatel production
Other Key DOs
| DO | Year | Location | Key Feature | Main Grape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manzanilla-Sanlúcar | 1964 | Sanlúcar only | Only Sherry with own DO; thicker flor | Palomino Fino |
| Montilla-Moriles | 1945 | Córdoba | Finos unfortified (15% natural); tinajas | Pedro Ximénez |
| Málaga | 1933 | Málaga | Historic sweet wines; Lágrima, Pajarete | Moscatel, PX |
| Sierras de Málaga | 2001 | Málaga | Still wines; Serranía de Ronda | Romé, Syrah |
| Condado de Huelva | 1964 | Huelva | Near Portugal; Orange Wine | Zalema |
| Granada | 2018 | Granada | Newest DO; 1,200m vineyards | Vigiriega |
VC Lebrija (2009): Overlaps Jerez zone; Sherry-style from Palomino Fino | 16 VTs across all 8 provinces
History Highlights
| 1100 BCE | Phoenicians found Gadir (Cádiz) |
| 711–1264 | Moorish era; "Sherish" name |
| 966 | Caliph orders vines uprooted |
| 1519 | Magellan: 417 barrels (first wine around world) |
| 1587 | Drake: 3,000 barrels; "Sack" |
| 17th–18th c | British merchant houses |
| 1935 | DO Jerez established |
| 2021 | All 10 towns may age |
Key Grapes
Palomino Fino 95% Sherry; neutral; ideal for flor
Pedro Ximénez Sweet wines; asoleo (sun-dried)
Moscatel Aromatic; sandy soils
Zalema Condado de Huelva
Vigiriega Drought-resistant; reauthorized 2022
Asoleo Process
PX grapes dried on esparto mats 7–21 days. Sugar reaches 400–500 g/L.
Montilla-Moriles
PX dominant; grapes reach 15% ABV naturally — Finos unfortified.
| Subzone | Quality |
|---|---|
| Sierra de Montilla | Highest; albariza |
| Moriles Altos | Best; cooler |
Tinajas: 6,000–10,000L earthenware vessels
Arenas rojas: Red sands; faster aging
DO Málaga
Subzones
Axarquía: Most important; Moscatel
Serranía de Ronda: Still wines (DO Sierras)
Traditional Styles
Lágrima: Free-run juice only
Pajarete: Fortified sweet; 2yr oak
Aging Categories
Pálido (<6mo) • Noble (2–3yr) • Añejo (3–5yr) • Trasañejo (5+yr)
Top Exam Points — Memorize These!
DO Jerez (1935)Trilingual name (Spanish-French-English); original 19 DOs; Marco de Jerez = 10 towns
Palomino Fino 95%Neutral grape; ideal for flor; vara y pulgar pruning; 80 hl/ha max
Flor: 15–15.5% ABVSaccharomyces beticus; >65% humidity; >16% kills flor; 7–8 years typical
Solera TermsBota (600L); Saca/Rocío (draw/refresh); VOS (20yr); VORS (30yr)
Manzanilla = SanlúcarOnly location; Guadalquivir mouth; thicker flor year-round; Pasada = 7+ yr
Palo Cortado"Cut stick"; rarest (1–2%); "nose of Amontillado, body of Oloroso"
1519 Magellan417 barrels; first wine around world. 1587 Drake: 3,000 barrels → "Sack"
Montilla-MorilesPX dominant; Finos unfortified (15% natural); tinajas; Sierra de Montilla best