venencian.
/vɛˈnɛnθjə/ An instrument used to draw sherry from a cask for sampling, consisting of a small cylindrical silver or tin container on a long flexible handle, usually of whalebone or cane. The samples of sherry are then typically poured into glasses from a height.
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the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > wine-making > [noun] > testing > instruments for testing > specific for sherry
venencia1876
1876 ‘P. Verdad’ From Vineyard to Decanter (ed. 3) 30 The sample having been tasted, the capataz is sent with his venencia into the cellar.
1933 H. W. Allen Sherry iii. 42 The cellarman carries a ‘venencia’, which consists of a long springy whalebone handle with a silver cylindrical cup at the end... The elaboration of the silver and whalebone venencia has added an element of sport to the art of tasting.
1955 R. Croft-Cooke Sherry vii. 80 Formerly the venencia was made of a single piece of bamboo, the cup at the bottom scooped out of a thick rod and the length given flexibility by cutting away all but a narrow strip.
1986 House & Garden July 132/4 A man will be taking a sample from a barrel, using his long venencia—a stick with a cup on the end..which he dips into the wine.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1993; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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