fortified wines new world resurgence

sherry

Sherry. Although it’s been perceived for several decades as the sweet and sickly beverage of choice of maiden aunts and stuffy old bankers, Sherry remains one of the truly most wondrous of libations. With a history dating back several centuries, and as Falstaff’s drink of choice (where it was referred to as “sack”) in Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays, Sherry enjoyed an unrivaled place of honor in the English aristocracy’s cellars.

To much of the public, its reputation has been sadly tarnished by cheap imitations in much the same way that rosés have been compromised by white zinfandel, which is a shame because to those in the know, Sherry is a meticulously crafted brandy-fortified wine that pairs with a wide variety of foods from appetizers to desserts. A good Sherry whether it is a bone-dry Manzanilla, a rich and nutty Amontillado, or a sweet and decadent Pedro Jimenez, has its place at every table, fine and humble alike. Its relatively low price makes it affordable to any lover of fine wine. We hope you will savor these excellent Sherry offerings, as use them as a springboard for further explorations into this intriguing and rewarding realm of wine.

 

La Cigarrera Manzanilla This outstanding bone dry Sherry has real depth and persistence, as well as wonderfully refreshing acidity. Amazing stuff!

Bodegas Grant Amontillado La Garrocha Very floral with sweet nut aromas. The palate is delicate, rich and nutty.

El Maestro Sierra Oloroso 15 Years Pale ochre in color, with intense aromas of caramel, walnuts and toffee, this beautifully focused wine gives the impression of sweetness through its sheer concentration, yet the finish is powerful and dry.

César Florido Moscatel Pasas Ripe, sweet and fleshy, with good underlying acidity, its viscous texture coats the palate with fig paste, apricot and toffee flavors.

Bodegas Tradicion Oloroso 30 Years 97 Pts Wine & Spirits - Incredibly rare: fewer than 600 bottles released per year. It explodes with aromas of chestnuts, seaweed, chocolate and tea leaf, occupying every corner of the palate with touches of sea and limestone.

Bodegas Tradicion Amontillado 30 Years 96Pts Wine & Spirits - As good as it gets, and also incredibly rare: fewer than 800 bottles released per year. From Soleras dating back to the 19th century, this Amontillado offers no concessions to softness or sweetness. Rich, complex and unbelievably long on the palate, it is pure perfection in Sherry.

 

About Neil Charles

My experience in the wine industry began in Bordeaux in June, 1978 with a summer-long internship with Alexis Lichine & Company, working under Patrick Leon, future winemaker at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Since then I have worked in the production, retail, wholesale and import areas of the wine business. I’m happy to be one of only a handful of people in the Midwest to have passed the hardest wine exam in the world: the Theory portion of the Master of Wine exam; and I hope to pass the entire program sometime this century. As an accredited Certified Sommelier and currently working on the advanced program, I guess you could say I really do like wine. I’ve got a broad appreciation of food, the arts, and all good things, enjoyed hosting a number of food and wine radio programs, and teaching wine appreciation at the university and college levels. Currently as a food columnist for Nuvo Newsweekly, I’ve got the distinct pleasure to write about my culinary adventures around the city. And as the wine educator at Vine & Table I hope to share my appreciation for all things wine with you.
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2 Responses to fortified wines new world resurgence

  1. Lori F says:

    Yippee! Something new for me to try.

    Great post Neil. And I’m sorry to admit that I would fall into the group of people with misconceptions about sherry. Looking forward to trying some of these.

  2. Ricardo Cinco says:

    Great blog! I recently bought a bottle of Wisdom & Warter Delicate Cream Sherry and really loved it. I’ve been a fan of Port for some time but had never tried Sherry. I’m glad I tried it. My wife loves it too. We sit on the veranda and sip Sherry and smoke Acid Kuba Maduro cigars.

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