en rama – amflorisms

Sherries from Emilio Hidalgo – La Panesa, El Tresillo & El Tresillo 1874

November 5, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Emilio Hidalgo’s story begins in the 1860s, and notably some of these soleras from the 19th century remain in use[…]

Vintage Sherry Two Ways – Williams Colección Añadas & 1980s Tío Pepe

October 30, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Closed by the Consejo Regulador with a wax seal and red ribbon, Añada sherries, produced from a single vintage, have seen a renaissance in recent years. With an established tradition of vintage sherries from as far back as 1920, Williams & Humbert’s Colección Añadas is a new venture under oenologist Paola Medina, aiming to produce unusual biologically aged Añada sherries at an accessible price. From one vintage sherry to another, though this time not from a single vintage, is González Byass’ ubiquitous Tío Pepe, bottled in the 1980s, then aged for several further decades, giving an enlightening experience into how biologically aged sherries can develop in bottle.

Viña Santa Petronila Fino & Cream En Rama

October 15, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Claiming to be the smallest, and unequivocally one of the smallest bodegas in the Marco de Jerez, Viña Santa Petronila is within a stones throw of Jerez , surrounded its own old vine albariza vineyards. Norwegians Brita Hektoen and husband Agustín are the current custodians of this Casa de la Viña, catering for events and accommodating guests, alongside operating a working bodega where they produce superb but extremely limited wines.

Rising Sanluqueña Stars – Manzanilla Sacristía AB & Velo Flor

September 15, 2017 Sam Burns wines

While many Sherry houses can trace their roots back hundreds of years, Antonio Barbadillo Mateos and Bodegas Alonso are amongst a few rising stars defying convention with fantastic results. The work of Antonio Barbadillo Mateos, of the Barbadillo dynasty, Sacristía AB is a Manzanilla de autor, bottled from a selection of butts at Bodegas Yuste. At Bodegas Alonso, the wealthy Asencio brothers eventually plan to bottle Manzanilla offering beginning to end, vineyard to bottle traceability, but for now, Manzanilla Velo Flor is an astonishing creation from bought in wines.

Tasting Entusiástico Manzanilla and Goya XL at Delgado Zuleta

August 25, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Claiming to be the oldest bodega still active today, Delgado Zuleta’s story begins in the 18th century, passing through family hands and surviving mergers along the way. Widely known for their ubiquitous flagship Manzanilla, named after the famous flamenco dancer Aurora Jauffre ‘La Goya’, Delgado Zuleta have today ventured into more innovative releases. Bottled under cork in a conventional clear glass wine bottle, their Entusiástico Manzanilla encourages people to enjoy as they would any other unfortified wine, and challenges the perception that sherry can’t age. Their sought after Goya XL needs no introduction.

Bodegas César Florido Fino En Rama

August 8, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Located on the coast, south west of Sanlúcar, Chipiona’s sandy soils largely are dedicated to growing Moscatel. Only a stone’s throw from the Atlantic ocean, Chipiona’s climate allows the flor to grow year round, making its Finos particularly unique. Bodegas César Florido is the only bodega in Chipiona to export any sherry, and with the single Bota No. 22 providing only 600 halves to go round, their Fino En Rama is a rare opportunity to taste a Chipiona Fino.

Visiting Bodegas Urium

July 21, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Alonso Ruiz Olivares never forgot his dream of becoming a sherry bodeguero for over 40 years, finally being realised when he bought a small bodega in 2007, renaming it Mons Urium. Sherry is a contagious condition, and so much like Alonso’s father before him, daughter Rocío Ruiz caught the bug. Devoted to the bodega and passionate about the wines they produce, Alonso and daughter Rocío are extremely generous hosts who welcomed us as friends to their bodega.

Sanlúcar Bota’s from La Guita & Navazos

July 11, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Manzanilla, bone dry and saline, with intensity and finesse from ageing under flor in the bodegas of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Three wines from the bodegas Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín, starting with the en rama release of the ubiquitous La Guita Manzanilla (with a little bottle age), then thanks to sherry aficionados Navazos, two fabulous wines with obvious Sanluqueña origins, the La Bota No. 59 Manzanilla Pasada and La Bota No. 58 Amontillado. Priceless? You decide, but undoubtedly worth mucho guita.

Visiting El Maestro Sierra

June 27, 2017 Sam Burns wines

A story of triumph against archaic expectations of class and gender, beginning early in the 19th century with working class master cooper José Antonio Sierra – ‘El Maestro’ Sierra are all about their very old wines, preserving some of the oldest soleras and wines in the Jerez region. Led by a succession of formidable women, their traditionally made ancient sherries are a real treasure, of astonishing quality and complexity.

Equipo Navazos La Bota de Manzanilla No. 55 & Callejuela Manzanilla Pasada ‘Blanquito’

February 12, 2017 Sam Burns wines

Manzanilla, bone dry and saline, with intensity and finesse from ageing under flor in the bodegas of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Today’s post looks at two more obscure examples, each very distinctive and with it’s own particular characteristics, and both with an intriguing story behind the wine enjoyed today. From sherry aficionados Equipo Navazos, the seventh in their classic line of La Bota de Manzanilla series, No. 55, and the Manzanilla Pasada ‘Blanquito’ from former Almacenista turned boutique bodega Callejuela.