Solera System

Definition: Various fortified wines go through a solera system for adequate aging. This system is essentially a blending system of casks that hold wines of varying ages. The oldest casks are the ones that are bottled in a given year and the next casks are arranged in such a way that the youngest Fortified wines (Sherry, Marsala, etc.) are blended into a series of casks holding progressively older wines. The blending off of younger wine into older wine results in very consistent, high quality wines that all share a portion of the oldest, original vintage of wine made at the estate. This is why many fortified wines do not have a vintage date, per se, as they are really a blend of many years.