🍷 Flor
A film of yeast on the surface of wine in a barrel that shields it from air.
Flor is a film of yeast that forms on the surface of wine in a barrel. The word means flower in Spanish. The yeast covers the wine with a thin white layer and shields it from air.
Flor grows on certain wines when the strength is not too high: up to about 15–15.5%. It is found in Andalusia, Spain, around Jerez, and also in the Jura in France and a few other places. The barrel is not filled to the top, to leave room for the film. The yeast feeds on some of the wine's substances, which gives flavours of almond, fresh dough and herbs. The wine stays pale because the film stops it from oxidising.
Flor is linked to yeast, and especially to sherry: it is the basis of dry sherry types such as fino and manzanilla. Without the film the wine becomes darker and rougher. If strength is higher, the yeast dies and no flor forms.
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Frequently asked questions
What is flor in wine?
A film of yeast on the surface of wine in a barrel that protects it from air.
Where is flor used?
Mainly in making dry sherry in Andalusia, and in a few other places such as the Jura.
Why does flor not grow on every wine?
The yeast dies if the wine's strength is too high.
Similar
🍷 Saccharomyces cerevisiae · 🍷 Brettanomyces · 🍷 Cultured yeast · 🍷 Wild yeast · 🍷 Glucose · 🍷 Oxidation of wine