Tinto
A Spanish word meaning “red” when used to describe wine, as in vino tinto (”red wine”).
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Solera
Lowest row in the tiers of barrels where wines are aged; used for the oldest wines. Also a system of breeding which consists of improving young wine by combining it with older wine. Aging system used for Generoso wines of Jerez.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Rosado
Kind of wine made from black grapes, fermented without the grapeskins, which gives wine a lighter color.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Reserva
A Spanish term referring to quality wine from a good vintage that has satisfied specific aging requirements. Though the classification varies from one region to another, in order to be labeled “reserva,” red wines must generally be aged for a minimum of three years with at least 1 year in oak barrels; Rosé and white [...]
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Oloroso
Generoso wine from Jerez with an alcohol content of between 18º and 20º. Aroma is reminiscent of walnuts. Obtained by oxidized aging. Dark gold, wine-colored, and plump. (The word oloroso comes from ¨olor¨ in Spanish, which means scent or odor.)
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Manzanilla
A generoso fino wine (high alcohol content) produced in San Lúcar de Barrameda, Andalucia.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Joven
Unaged wine which is supposed to produce the freshest and most fruity qualities.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Gran Reserva
Name given to wine which have been aged for a long time in oak barrels and bottles. Though the classification varies from region to region, the Gran Reserva label generally means a wine has been aged for a minimum of three years.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Generoso
Special wine with an alcohol content of between 17 and 23º. By extension, this term is also applied to high alcohol table wines. Sherry wines from Jerez, Spain are famous for their Generosos, which include the Finos, Amontillados, and Olorosos, among others.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Denominacion de Origen
The Spanish system for wine classification that fits the requirments of the European Economic Community’s top-quality wine category. This “designation of origin” is similar to France’s APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE. To qualify for Denominación de Origen (DO) status, wines must meet specific requirements including geographic areas where the grapes must be grown and the wines made, [...]
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Crianza
Controlled aging of wine in a barrel, cask, or bottle. The crianza involves allowing in a certain amount of oxygen, which helps the wine to develop. The presence of the wood, with its perfumed spicy aromas, adds its own touch to the wines. The aging of wine in the bottle is important to [...]
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Cava
Cava is the official name for SPARKLING WINE produced in designated areas in various parts of northern Spain. The use of the word cava came about as a result of legal conflicts with France over the use of the word champan, Spain’s translation of the French champagne. The word cava (which is Catalan for “cellar”) [...]
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Añejo
The term used to describe wine aged for a minimum of three years in bottle or barrel.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Amontillado
Fino-style wine from Jerez, gold to amber in color with an alcohol content of between 17 and 18º. Drink chilled as an aperitif.
Date: Sunday 12, 2008
Añada
The year the wine was harvested. This information should appear on the bottle.