What is the void in the last or highest criadera replenished with?

The correct answer refers to the replenishment of the void in the last or highest criadera, which is done with "sobretablas." In the solera system used for aging Sherry, the last criadera is where the oldest wine is stored. When wine is drawn from this criadera for bottling, a replacement is necessary to maintain the system's balance and continuity.

Sobretablas refers to wine that has not yet been classified and has been aging in barrels prior to being transferred into the criaderas. It is the intermediary step before reaching the final product and helps integrate younger wines with the older ones in the solera system. This process ensures that the characteristics of the solera are maintained, and the final wine reflects the traditional style and complexity required by Sherry.

In contrast, flor is a yeast layer that protects the wine and contributes to the development of flavors but is not used to refill the criadera. Cabezuela refers to the starting wine that is used for initial fermentation, while rocio is not commonly associated with the replenishment process in the solera system. Understanding the role of sobretablas is pivotal to grasping how the solera system functions and maintains the quality and consistency inherent in Sherry production.