Spanish term for the typical, bright white soil type in the DO area of Jerez for sherry, whose name means "white earth". It consists of 40% limestone with a high proportion of calcium sulphate, known here as Yeso, as well as clay and sand. It stores the rainwater from the winter months to supply the vines with water during the summer drought. These are ideal conditions for the Palomino and Pedro Ximénez grape varieties and the top qualities of certain types of sherry produced from them. Albariza soils are also found in theDO areas of Montilla-Moriles and Penedès. The rather poorer, lime-poor soil is known as Arena.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien