🏷️ Vino generoso

Vino generoso is a Spanish traditional term protected in the EU register of traditional terms. According to the register, it may be used only for wines and dry liqueur wines (EU grapevine product categories 1 and 3) with the protected designations of origin Condado de Huelva, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Lebrija, Málaga, Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Montilla-Moriles and Rueda. They are made only from white grapes of the varieties authorised for each PDO and aged for an average of at least two years in oak barrels. After full fermentation a film of typical yeasts, the flor, forms spontaneously on the wine; only the traditional dry wines of Málaga are exempt. The minimum actual alcoholic strength is 14 % vol. for category 1 and 15 % vol. for category 3, and sugars are usually capped at 4 g/l.

Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Palo Cortado are further terms used only for vino generoso. If sweet wine or must is added, the result is called vino generoso de licor.

Why it matters to you. The term promises a dry wine of 14–15 % vol. or more with flor ageing, not a sweet dessert wine. It is stronger than ordinary wine: according to the WHO, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.