Jerez

Pastora was the first Manzanilla ever to appear on the market in a bottled form, at a time when Manzanilla was mostly a local wine that was sold directly to consumers in bars (by the glass or in their own container). We’re talking 1827, actually the same year in which the first mention of the word Manzanilla appeared in shipping documents. The old brand Pastora, or Divina Pastora as it was then called, was recently resurrected by Bodegas Barbadillo.

NOTE: THIS IS A HALF BOTTLE 37.5CL Aged following a biological aging in the cool and humid air of the port town of El Puerto de Santa María, where the flor grows in ideal environmental conditions. Pale straw colour, dry, light and smooth. This Fino is laced with scents of the sea and profound “flor” aromas. Clean and fresh, with a slight taste of tangy yeast.

Straw yellow colour with golden reflections. A potent aromatic intensity stands out in the nose, with hints of peach, melon and floral touches which are typical of the grape variety. Preserved fruit notes stand out in the mouth. Broad structure with a good balance between acidity and sweetness. Serve at: 15-17ºC.

The benchmark Fino. Dry and supremely tangy, with incredible depth.

Fino style Sherries age under a layer of “flor” (a naturally occurring layer of yeast that grows on top of the wine in the barrel); this ensures the wines do not oxidise as there is no exposure to the air. The cooler maritime microclimate of Sanlúcar ensures flor grows particularly thickly all year round producing these very fresh, tangy Manzanillas, unlike the more oxidised Finos aged in the inland town of Jerez, where the flor dies back in the winter and summer months.

Barbadillo’s Finos are more Manzanilla-like in style, but are aged in Bodegas with less exposure to the cooling sea breezes. The flor in the barrels grows vigorously in these cellars so the wine is a little more nutty and toasty than the more appley and yeasty Manzanillas of Sanlucar.

NOTE: THIS IS A HALF BOTTLE (37.5cl) 100% Moscatel from Lustau’s vineyard “Las Cruces” in Chipiona. Aged for 8 years in Jerez de la Frontera.

Cream Sherry is an Oloroso that has been sweetened with the Pedro Ximénez grapes. Rich, dark and sweet, with traditional Cream character.

Off-dry and nutty

A classic Pedro Ximenez from Barbadillo that offers concentrated aromas of plums, raisins and dark chocolate that are echoed on the palate. Try pairing this sherry with chocolate-based desserts or Foie-gras.

Barbadillo Pale Cream is a young Manzanilla that has been aged in American oak casks for three years in the Solera system. It is then blended with a sweet Moscatel wine and fortified to 17.5% before being fined, filtered and bottled. Golden colour with a familiar Manzanilla and ripe sultana fruit nose. On the palate it is rich and pleasantly cloying with a long sweet finish.

This is an oloroso which has been sweetened with a touch of Pedro Ximenez to create a style of sherry called 'amoroso'. This name, which means 'loving', acknowledges the smoothness achieved through the long aging period. A beautifully balanced and silky sherry with notes of plums and dried fruits.

Néctar shows an intense ebony colour with iodine tones and intense legs due to high sugar content. On the nose rich aromas of fruits such as raisins, figs and dates accompanied by honey, syrup and fruit preserve. On the palate velvety and smooth with good acidity which alleviates the sweetness. Long and flavourful finish.

Gonzalez Byass has relaunched a historic brand of vermouth, La Copa. Based on the original 19th-century recipe, this is made using a blend of eight-year-old oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries. Flavoured with botanical including wormwood, clove, orange peel, nutmeg, angelica and quinine, this is a sweeter style of vermouth that works well in cocktails.