True or False: Fino barrels are typically aged closer to the floor where the humidity is highest and the temperatures are cooler?

The statement is true because Fino Sherry is best aged in conditions that promote the development of a protective layer of flor yeast on the surface of the wine. This flor requires specific conditions to thrive, including higher humidity levels and stable, cooler temperatures that are often found in the lower sections of the barrel warehouses, known as "bodegas." In these conditions, the flor can flourish, allowing Fino Sherry to develop its characteristic light, fresh, and nutty flavors, while also protecting it from oxidation.

In contrast, higher temperatures and lower humidity levels can inhibit the growth of flor, leading to a different aging process and resulting in different styles of Sherry, such as Amontillado or Oloroso, which do not rely on the flor for development. Thus, aging Fino barrels closer to the floor takes advantage of the optimal conditions that flor requires, making the statement accurate.