lagar; pl. lagares

[lah-GAHR; lah-GAH-resh] The traditional rectangular stone or cement (occasionally wooden) trough used in the production of sherry in and around Spain's jerez de la frontera and of port in Portugal's douro region. Lagares, which are 3 to 4 feet high and vary in size, are used for treading grapes and/or for fermentation of the juice. Today, most have been replaced by more modern vinification equipment.