Venencia and sherry

The venencia is an implement used for pulling Sherry samples from the aging barrels in the cellars, consisting of a small cylindrical steel cup at the end of a long flexible shaft. It is dropped in to the barrels through the bunghole to break through the protective yeast called 'flor' that covers the aging wine. It is then poured into a glass from above head height. Those who use the venencia are called 'venenciadors'.