What is flor in sherry? Flor in sherry is film of yeast that forms on surface of sherry wine during aging in barrels, with flor being layer of Saccharomyces yeast that protects wine from oxidation and gives distinctive flavor, essential for fino and manzanilla sherry styles which age biologically under flor, giving nutty, bready, fresh character. Flor in sherry is natural yeast film that develops spontaneously in barrels in Jerez Spain, with flor yeast consuming alcohol, glycerol, and oxygen, creating anaerobic layer that prevents oxidation, keeping fino and manzanilla sherry pale and fresh, with flor needing alcohol level 14.5 to 15.5 percent and cool humid cellar, with flor being living and requiring topping up of barrels, with flor giving flavors of almonds, bread dough, and green apple, with flor being Spanish for flower but in sherry means yeast film that looks like flower floating. Without flor, sherry becomes oloroso which ages oxidatively and is darker and richer. So flor in sherry is yeast film that protects wine and creates fino style, with flor being crucial for sherry production, with flor being maintained for years in solera system, with flor being distinctive feature of fino and manzanilla sherry, giving them unique character.
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