Since the eighteenth century, Montilla winemakers have been nurturing a winemaking reputation steeped in craftsmanship and tradition. One such tradition, a hallmark of the wines this region is best loved for, is the usage of the solera y criaderas system to age their wine.
Primarily used in the aging of sherry, the solera method creates a unique blends the freshness of young wine and the depth of mature wine. The practice developed in southern Spain and has remained an industry standard for creating consistency in vintages over time, and is used in the aging of popular wines such as Fino and Amontillado.
So what is the solera system?
Wine in American oak barrels, referred to as ‘butts’, are arranged in tiers called criaderas (Spanish for ‘nurseries’). At the top of the pyramid is the youngest wine, at the bottom the oldest wines, the solera. (Hence, solera y criaderas).
When it comes time to bottle, wine is poured from the bottom tier (the solera.) Wine from the tier above tops off the butts below, and the tier above that replenishes that tier, and so on all the way up. In the topmost criadera, fresh wine is added to the system, completing the cycle.
The Result
The very nature of this system is time and resource intensive. Not only does it take up significant space, but it means winemakers must wait several years (sometimes a decade) before a new system bears fruit. It also means winemakers must take extra precautions against complications like contamination and overdrawing for fear of losing the work of several years (maybe decades).
However, this patience pays off in quality. The value of such a complex system is the promise of consistency. Over time each butt becomes a complex mixture composed of wine made up of different ages. This intricacy smooths out noticeable inconsistencies or anomalies that might occur, assisting winemakers in establishing a consistent flavor profile year to year.
The philosophy of Montilla winemakers who dedicate themselves to wines, vines, and viticulture tradition shines brightly through the solera process, mirroring Montilla’s history for passing along the knowledge from the generation before. Each bottle is more than just wine, but rather a reflection of how Montilla’s past continues to inform and empower its present.
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