montilla: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist/Formal
Quick answer
What does “montilla” mean?
A type of Spanish fortified wine similar to sherry, produced in the Montilla-Moriles region of Andalusia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of Spanish fortified wine similar to sherry, produced in the Montilla-Moriles region of Andalusia.
The name refers both to the geographical region and the specific dry to sweet wine produced there, primarily from the Pedro Ximénez grape. It is often used as a generic term for fino-style wines from this Denomination of Origin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and specialist in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in UK contexts due to stronger historical trade links with sherry-producing regions.
Connotations
Connotes Spanish cuisine, fine dining, and specialist knowledge of wines. Slightly more established in UK wine vocabulary.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse; appears mainly in wine guides, restaurant menus, and gourmet contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “montilla” in a Sentence
[drink/serve/enjoy] + MontillaMontilla + [is produced/comes from]Montilla + [wine]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “montilla” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The Montilla region is famous for its limestone soils.
- They serve a lovely Montilla fino.
American English
- We sampled a Montilla-style wine from California.
- The Montilla PDO regulations are strict.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in import/export, hospitality, and wine retail.
Academic
Appears in oenology, geography, and culinary studies texts.
Everyday
Rare; limited to restaurant ordering or wine discussions.
Technical
Specific to viticulture and EU Protected Designation of Origin regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “montilla”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “montilla”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “montilla”
- Using lowercase ('montilla'), confusing it with 'Manzanilla' (another Spanish fino), or using as a common noun for any sherry.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a very similar style of fortified wine from a different Protected Designation of Origin (Montilla-Moriles), but it is not technically 'Sherry', which comes from the Jerez region.
In British English: /mɒnˈtiːjə/. In American English: /mɑːnˈtiːjə/. The double 'l' is pronounced as a 'y' sound.
Yes, it is a proper noun referring to a geographical region and a protected product name, so it is always capitalised.
Primarily on wine lists, in specialist wine shops, in discussions of Spanish cuisine, or in texts about European protected food names.
A type of Spanish fortified wine similar to sherry, produced in the Montilla-Moriles region of Andalusia.
Montilla is usually specialist/formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Montilla sounds like 'mountain' – remember the mountainous Montilla-Moriles region where this wine is made.
Conceptual Metaphor
WINE IS A PLACE (Metonymy where the place name represents the product).
Practice
Quiz
Montilla is primarily made from which grape variety?