solera

[ soh-lair-uh; Spanish saw-le-rah ]

noun

1. (especially in Spain) a series of casks, graded according to age, in which sherries and brandies are stored while maturing.
2. a classification for the sherries or brandies having the greatest maturity in a solera.

solera

/ səˈlɛərə /

noun

1. 1. a system for aging sherry and other fortified wines, in which younger wines in upper rows of casks are used to top up casks of older wines stored below in order to produce a consistently aged blend
   2. a blend of sherry produced by this system

Word History and Origins

Origin of solera¹

< Spanish: literally, supporting beam, base (for uprights) < Vulgar Latin *solāria, equivalent to Latin sol ( um ) base, ground (> Spanish suelo ) + -āria -ary; Cf. vino de solera mature wine (presumably from the bottom range of casks) used to fortify younger wine

Word History and Origins

Origin of solera¹

Spanish, literally: bottom

Example Sentences

He had received for his companion the advocate Solera, and afterwards the priest, Dr. Fortini.

From Project Gutenberg

Meantime, even before the liberation of Solera and Fortini, Maroncelli was ill with a bad tumour upon his knee.

From Project Gutenberg

A door was opened; and we knew it to be that of the advocate Solera.

From Project Gutenberg