Solera

The unique yeast that grows on top of the sherry protecting it from oxidation.

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

Spanish term. A method of perpetually ageing wine in a “pyramid” of barrels. Wine for bottling drawn from the bottom layer. The barrels from this layer, are then topped from the next layer up, and so on until the top layer is reached. This layer is topped by fresh wine made that year. The barrels are typically left 5/6ths full. Each layer in a Solera is called a Criadera, or layers. Fino sherries will have 7 criadera, Manzanilla at least 9 and up to 20. Practically, wineries, simply place them in batches representing a criardera rather than building actual solera stacks. The image below shows the basics of how the system works.

« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Vergers' 2022
This is also suffering from post-bottling reduction so some air would be helpful if you're going to crack a bottle young. More interesting are the slightly sleeker middleweight flavors that also possess a seductive mouthfeel while delivering solid depth and persistence on the balanced finale. This should also repay up to a decade of keeping though unlike the Chenevottes, it's a wine that will need at least a few years of bottle aging first. Drink: 2029+Allen Meadows, Burghound 91 Points �
$345
$330ea in any 3+
$315ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Henriques & Henriques Terrantez 1976

Henriques & Henriques Terrantez 1976

Terrantez | Portugal, Madeira

A Garrafeira Selection “Old gold wine. Aroma to dried fruits, namely raisins, light vanilla and some wood. Complex taste between dry and sweet. This is a perfectly balanced wine. Long finish.”Henriques & Henriques21% alc/vol, 72 grams of residual sugar.The 1976 Henriques & Henriques Terrantez Madeira is a remarkable expression of one of the island’s most prized varieties. Produced by the renowned Henriques & Henriques winery, this Madeira exemplifies the
$1,235
$1215ea in any 3+
$1195ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru 'La Forest' 2016
"Pale, bright yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit pith, lemon zest and wild herbs; really amazing lift here for a vintage with moderate acidity. Seamless and fine-grained, already offering compelling inner-mouth perfume to its flavors of citrus fruits, wild herbs, acacia flower, jasmine and minerals. The wonderfully aromatic, slowly rising finish boasts outstanding floral lift. A great premier cru in the making. Hail and mildew reduced the crop level here to just 25 hectoliters per hectare."
$500
Add to cart
More Info
Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Grand Cru 'Chambertin Clos de Bèze' 2020
Moderately generous wood and menthol fight somewhat with the exuberantly spicy black cherry liqueur-like aromas that are cut with lovely floral wisps. There is excellent concentration to the bigger-bodied and more powerful flavors that are blessed with ample amounts of sappy dry extract that does a fine job of buffering the firm tannic spine shaping the complex, balanced and hugely long finale. Excellent. 2035+Allen Meadows, Burghound
$1,320
$1300ea in any 3+
$1280ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info