VITICULTURE

Sherry Viticulture

VITICULTURE

SouthernSouthern-most Wine Region

in Continental Europe

VITICULTURE

SouthernSouthern-most Wine Region

in Continental Europe

VITICULTURE
7,500 hectares,
hectares, in 9 municipalities

ROTA

VITICULTURE

Main climatic factors

Average 300
days of sunshine per year.
year.

ROTA

Mild winters (4
(4C) and very hot summers (40
(40C).
620 litres per m2 average annual rainfall.
rainfall.
Two predominant winds:
winds: poniente (west
(west),
west), fresh
and humid;
humid; and levante (east
(east),
east), warm and dry.

VITICULTURE

The landscape of the Marco de Jerez

Jerez
Wide horizons with gentle slopes (10(10-15%
gradient),
gradient), made of a white chalky soil:
soil: albariza

VITICULTURE

Quality factors of a vineyard

The different pagos are classified according to their
location and related factors:

Type of soil.

Altitude.

Exposure to sun and
winds.

Proximity to the sea.

jerez
jerez
superior
superior

jerez
jerez
zona
zona

VITICULTURE

The pagos
pagos
Jerez de la Frontera
El Puerto de Santa Mara

66 %

Sanlcar de Barrameda
Trebujena

Callejuela
Callejuela
Hornillo
Hornillo
El
ElMaestre
Maestre
Mahina
Mahina
Medidora
Medidora
Mirafloras
Mirafloras
Munive
Munive
Pastrana
Pastrana

Balbaina
Balbaina
Los
LosTercios
Tercios

Almocadn
Almocadn
Aina
Aina
Balbana
Balbana
Burujena
Burujena
Carrascal
Carrascal
Cuartillo
Cuartillo
Gibalbn
Gibalbn
Macharnudo
Macharnudo
Tabajete
Tabajete
Tizn
Tizn
Torrox
Torrox

Chipiona
Rota
Chiclana de la Frontera
Puerto real
Lebrija

VITICULTURE

The albariza
albariza soil

White soil (alba=white), made

from the sedimentation of marine
diatoms.

Very chalky: high content of

calcium carbonate, with 25% to
40% limestone.

Poor in both organic material

(1.3% to 1.5%) and nitrogen.

Highly porous helps retain

moisture.

VITICULTURE

Other types of soil

Arenas
- Located in the coastal areas.
- Composition: sand, clay and
less than 20% limestone.

Barros
-

Located mainly in the valleys.

Clay, sand, limestone and
decomposed organic matter.
Darker colour. More fertile.

VITICULTURE

Authorised grape varieties

palomino

pedro
ximnez

moscatel

VITICULTURE

Palomino Fino the Sherry grape variety

Large bunches.
Medium-sized fruit.
Pale green colour.

Colourless juice.
Average sugar content 11 Bme.
Average total acidity 3.7 g/l.

CCoo
lloom
mb
baa
C
Chh
rr
aarrd dd
doo
nnnn
GGaa
aayy
M
rrrri
M
o
iddo
oss
o
ccaa
tteel ffiinno
lM
M o
M
M
aalla
ooss
agg
ccaa
aa
ttee
ll m
m
oorr
PPaa
iis
lloom sccoo
mi
inn
PPee
ddrr ooffiin
oo X noo
Xiim
m
nn
eezz
SSaa
RRiie
es
uuvv
iiggn slliinng
noo
g
nn b
blla
ann
cc
T
Trra
am
m
iinne
err

VITICULTURE

The palomino grape

Low level of Mlic Acid (gr./l)

3,0

2,5

2,0

1,5

1,0

0,5

VITICULTURE

Palomino de Jerez

Traditional sub-variety, less used
nowadays.

Slightly higher sugar content
(average 11.1 Baum) and
acidity (4 g/l.)

VITICULTURE

Pedro Xim
Ximnez

Used for sweet wines, due to its
higher sugar content average
12.8 Baum.

Acidity 4.5 g/l.

Thin skin, which facilitates
soleo (sun-drying) process.

VITICULTURE

Moscatel

Mainly planted in coastal
(arenas) areas of the D.O.

Traditionally used for sweet
wines.

Average sugar content 11.7
Baum.

Acidity 4.1 g/l.

VITICULTURE

Planting process
Resting period of minimum 3 years.
August:
August preparation of the soil (oxygenation and
fertilisation).
November:
November levelling of the soil.
December:
December marking out the vineyard.
January:
January planting the rootstocks.

September:
September grafting on the grape variety.

VITICULTURE

Preparation of te soil

Agostado
Agostado 70 to 80 cm. ploughing, in

order to help oxygenate the soil.

Fertilisation (organic).

VITICULTURE

Layout of a new vineyard

Rows run horizontal to the slope.

3,500 to 4,000 vines per hectare.

VITICULTURE

Layout of a new vineyard

VITICULTURE

Planting of the rootstock

December / January, in order to
benefit from rainy season.

Hand-planting.

Selection of the most suitable
rootstocks, based on:
- compatibility with local varieties.
- resistence to phylloxera, nematodes,
limestone soil, drought, humidity,
salinity.
- capacity to develop roots.

VITICULTURE

The grafting
January / August
development of the rootsock

August / September
grafting of the palomino buds

VITICULTURE

The first year

Grafted area covered until
spring to protect it from the
cold.

Spring of year 1:
development of the bud

VITICULTURE

Establishing an adult vine

2nd year

3rd year

4th year

Limited grape production during the

establishment of the plant (until 4th year)

VITICULTURE

Stock grafting (en espiga

espiga)

Alternative grafting method for

vines with unsuccessful bud-grafting
(end of winter year 1).

VITICULTURE

Traditional pruning method:

method:
vara y pulgar
pulgar

pulgar

year1

vara

VITICULTURE

Traditional pruning method:

method:
vara y pulgar
pulgar

Vara

year 2

pulgar

VITICULTURE

Annual cycle
tilling

pruning
desbragado

Enero
January

nitrogen

treatments

Marzo
March
bud

fertilisation
fall of the
Nov.
leaves
ripening

aserpiado

Septiembre
September

harvest

castra /
recastra

May
flowering Mayo
envero

Julio
July

tilling

training of
plants to
wires

VITICULTURE

Cultivation

A method to maximise use of
the rainfall the aserpiado.
Progressive reduction of the use
of pesticides  integrated
production techniques.

VITICULTURE

Some basic numbers

A mature plant...
... is in use for 30 to 35 years
at full production.

... develops 7 to 9 bunches in

the vara.

... produces approximately 3

kilograms of grapes.

VITICULTURE

Some basic numbers (2)

A vineyard in production...
... has 3,500 to 4,000 vines per
hectare.

... total production is limited to

11.428 kgs. per hectare.

... requires as many as 46

different tasks per year.

... allows a limited level of

mechanisation.

VITICULTURE

The harvest

Early ripening of the grapes - September.

Average sugar levels 11 to 12.5 Baum.

50% hand-picked.

Rapid harvesting is necessary

VITICULTURE

Viticulture the key basic ideas



Specific viticultural conditions: soil & climate.

Three authorised white grape varieties.

Palomino: the main Sherry grape.

Labour-intensive viticulture.

If you want to learn more... read this:

 La Viticultura del Jerez, by Alberto Garca de Lujn (Spanish)