Solera by the producers of sherry. In a Spanish sherry "solera", the vintner may transfer about a third of each barrel a year. A solera sherry has to be at least three years old when bottled. A quite similar process is called sostrera, used to produce fortified wines in the Mediterranean regions of France. In Sicily, where Marsala wine is made, the system is called "in perpetuum". Solera vinification is used in the making of Mavrodafni ("Black Laurel"), a fortified red dessert wine made in the Northern Peloponnese in Greece. Exceptional "Mavrodafni" vintages are released every 20 or 30 years: they
History of California wine the social acceptance of any alcohol, most Americans stayed away. The only group of wines that sold well were the fortified dessert wines. Taxed at the lower rate of wine as opposed to distilled spirits, but with 20% alcohol, this group made the cheapest intoxicant available. Before 1920, table wines accounted for 3 of every 4 gallons shipped. After 1933, fortified wines were 3 of every 4 gallons shipped. It was not until 1968 that table wines sales finally overtook fortified wines, regaining the status of most popular wine category. Before 1920, there were more than 2,500 commercial wineries in