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?

Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru 'La Forest' 2017
"A brilliant rendition of Vincent Dauvissat's emblematic premier cru, the 2017 Chablis 1er Cru La Forest reveals a complex bouquet of oyster shell, crisp green apple and lemon oil mingled with notes of dried white flowers and freshly baked bread. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny and complete, with a deep and concentrated core, striking energy and cut and a long, mineral finish. Amounting to some 4.5 hectares, La Forest accounts for a third of the domaine's surface area, s
$550
Add to cart
More Info
Domaine de la Vougeraie Grand Cru 'Chevalier-Montrachet' 2022
This is at once more floral and a bit riper as well with its liqueur-like nose of vaguely exotic scents, especially white peach, passion fruit, crushed fennel and jasmine tea. The mouthfeel of bigbodied yet gorgeously textured broad-shouldered flavors exude evident minerality, indeed this is akin to rolling rocks around the palate, all wrapped in a bone-dry, citrus and hugely long finish. This is an imposingly-scaled and overly powerful Chevalierthat should amply repay 10 to 15 years of keeping.
$1,761
$1741ea in any 3+
$1721ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Clos de l'Écotard Saumur Blanc L'Enroulée 2019
L'Enroulée is a one-off cuvée and is a blend of Le Haie Nardin, which is normally a separate wine, “rolled together” this parcel with the fruit from his vines in Les Quarts-Saint-Vincent.This wine gives a prnounced perfume of white blossom and jasmine. Clos de l'Écotard's hallmark quince is back with more length and depth, as well as a pop of lanolin. The acidity and texture here are superb; mineral and lon, with a layer of phenolics playing nicely on the tongue. Flavours of maple, nuts a
$86
$82ea in any 3+
$78ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Domaine A et P de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté 2023
The 2023 Bouzeron has a vivacious nose that boldly declares, "I am Aligoté!" The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity and beautiful weight in the mouth, featuring hints of lemon curd, white peach and Anjou pear toward the poised finish. You'll find few Bouzerons better than this. Neal Martin, Vinous 91 PointsVery ethereal, both citrus and floral, our Bouzeron 2023 offers notes of white-fleshed fruits on the palate. The traditional acidity from the Aligoté grape is cri
$123
$118ea in any 3+
$113ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info