1

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?

Comes in Wooden Box

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino MAGNUM 2017

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

The Fuligni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine, and it shines a much-deserved spotlight on one of the most consistent estates in Montalcino. It is bright and luminous with a dark ruby shine. The bouquet reveals deeply layered tones of red cherry, wild berry, rose, earth and candied violets. Give the wine an extra twirl or two, and you get some rosemary and lavender. Soft dusty mineral and limestone also appear. I'd definitely put this bottle on a short list of the most recommended b
$570
$550ea in any 3+
$530ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
KO 99 AG 95
The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is perhaps the most complete of the 2019 Riservas at this stage. It offers fine depth, plenty of tannin and nascent emerging inner sweetness to tie it all together. A wine of stature and textural depth, the Montestefano is my early favorite in this lineup. Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 Points KO 99 *NOTE Galloni tasted in Sept 2023 noting his intent to look at the PdB Riservas in 12 months expecting they will resolve and shift up. KO tasted in Jan
$426
$411ea in any 3+
$396ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
“Very classy on the nose with dried apple and hints of pineapple and lilac. Medium-to full-bodied with a creamy and crunchy mouth feel from the ripe fruit and the bright acidity.” James Suckling
$110
$105ea in any 3+
$100ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
One of Italy’s great value red wines, the Barbera d’Alba ‘Casa Vinicola’ is an expression of Barbera fruit sourced from around the Barolo and Barbaresco sub-regions. This is one of the longest standing labels in Giacosa’s stable having first been produced in 1969, just after the first Barolos and Barbarescos of the mid-60’s. These days it is a refreshing red that shows the ripe red berries of great Barberas from Alba, alongside notably sinewy tannins and a good mineral core.
$101
$96ea in any 3+
$91ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info