Current Category
Fortified Wines > Sherry
 Fine Sherry comes from the Jerez region of southern Spain, just above the Straits of Gibraltar. The region takes its name from the town of Jerez or, to give it its full name, Jerez de la Frontera. In ancient times it was the frontier town between the Christian occupied north and the Moorish occupied south, until reunited under the Christian Kingdom after the expulsion of the Moors. The wines of the region have been known outside Spain for many centuries. In fact, Sir Francis Drake (El Draco to the Spanish), when he sacked the town of Cadiz confiscated some 3000 casks of Sherry from the Quay, and took them home.
There are also many references to Sherris and Sherris Sack in Shakespearean works; the wine however must have been quite different from the Sherry of today because it was not fortified.Sherry today is a quite unique wine and can range from very pale and very dry to very dark and very sweet. It is, however, a white wine and produced from a single grape variety - the Palomino - with just a few subsidiary varieties for the sweeter wines.
The hot climate in southern Spain, together with the rather chalky soil, produces grapes very high in sugar which convert into a wine with a very high natural alcohol content of 14% or more. The chalky soil is responsible for a rather noticeable acidity in the wine. These features produce one of the most popular styles: the dry Fino and Manzaniia Sherries. Besides the unique climate and soil conditions, the methods of sherry production are quite unique, the style of maturation and manufacture differing greatly from other wine-producing regions.
Generic Types - Sherry styles are produced in South Africa, Australia and Cyprus. Of these, South African is closest to the Sherry from Jerez. South African producers use the Palomino grape, just as they do in Spain, and they have the good fortune that Flor grows on some of their wines - with the result that some very good wines appear.
Australian Wine has improved immensely in recent years. Many of the drier styles are produced on a Flor system. New EC Laws protect Spanish Jerez Sherry - all others must be labelled 'Liqueur Wine'.
 |
Dandelion Vineyards Legacy of the Barossa 30 Year Old Pedro Ximenez 375ml x 12
Dandelion Vineyards Legacy of the Barossa 30 Year Old Pedro Ximenez are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines. To capture variety, vintage and vineyard requires and enlightened approach. “When I see a weed I see the Devil” is an old grower’s mantra, but we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and their Wishing Clocks to blow off in Spring.Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vine and vigneron representing decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these extremely old (X.O.) Pedro Ximinez wines, to capture them perfectly from barrel. Our Legacy of the Barossa is vigneron and lifelong champion of old vines and fortified wines, Carl Lindner.Traditionally grown and vinified, the now rare Pedro Ximinéz was first fortified by his family in 1944 and now averages 30 years of age. This wine is hand blended and bottled without fining or filtration and is best drunk within a week of opening, and we trust with a glass raised to Carl’s and his family’s foresight.Colour Deep amber/ochre fading to a rusty orange and translucent fireside embers brown with and a olive rim.The Legacy of the Barossa’s bouquet immediately proclaims the age and class of the wine. Freshly toasted Pecan nuts, figs, fresh cream toffee and creme brulee with English breakfast tea, mandarin citrus peel and hints of maple syrup. The palate Sweet and rich with an aged orange peel and honey marmalade middle with candied fruit, citrus/apricot and toffee flavours thatflow to a drying finish thanks to the extremely complex and fresh rancio, and almost electric, piecing intensity. Dandelion Vineyards Legacy of the Barossa 30 Year Old Pedro Ximenez has a zesty nose, three dimensional and refreshing palate, this wine is delicious either served moderately chilled with a second glass, second bottle even as an aperitif, the finish is extraordinarily long, lingering for minutes and minutes
|
|
 |
McWilliams Royal Reserve Dry Sherry 750ml
McWilliams Royal Reserve Dry Sherry has a deep yellow to amber colour. The bouquet is clean spirit and wood maturation evident. The palate is crisp, dry fruit flavour with a soft finish.
|
|
 |
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado Jerez 750ml
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado Jerez is one of the most treasured Sherries. El Candado is made from Pedro Ximenez grapes which once harvested are left out in the sunshine for at least two weeks. The grapes dehydrate naturally, absorbing the unique and unmistakable flavours of the Mediterranean sun as they turn into raisins. The sugar levels rise, and through the Solera and Criadera maturation system the wine produced is of an intense mahogany colour with an aroma of raisins. On the palate it is rich velvety and very smooth with a long aftertaste.
|
|
 |
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez Yellow Label Jerez 750ml
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez Yellow Label Jerez is one of the oldest and most traditional Sherry houses. They still ferment a large proportion of their wines in wood, giving their wines added depth and complexity.Colour is an aged clear yellow brown, very dark in colour (hence ‘Black’ Sherry), with a green tinge from extended barrel ageing. The bouquet is one of intense sultanas which drives the palate delivering mellow sunburnt and sweet grape characters. A heavy-weight, sweet dessert fortified wine, dense with a very powerful assault on the palate. Darkly raisiny with hints of licorice and more. Long-lasting aftertaste and wonderfully mature, complex, hints. Very pleasing and luscious.
|
|
|
