Tasting notes
Brilliant hues of old gold. Intensely pungent nose with a hint of the yeast layer and a note of almond. Delicate yet full-bodied. A very long finish. A great aperitif at any time and a fine match for seafood and nuts.
Why we recommend this wine
We love Manzanilla as a type of fino sherry because it has a fuller flavour profile, and this is our favourite.
The wine
Made from the Palomino grape grown in the Jerez Superior vineyard Pago Balbaína. It is produced using the first gravity pressing of the grapes and then transported to the seaside town of Sanlucar de Barrameda for ageing. It is biologically aged under Flor, a naturally occurring layer of yeast for over 5 years. Although, like all Sherries and Ports, more alcoholic than your average wine it is very dry, less than 1 gr. sugar /l.
The wine estate
Bodegas Williams & Humbert was founded in 1877 by Sir Alexander Williams, a great admirer and connoisseur of sherry products, and Arthur Humbert, a specialist in international relations. The name is now used by the Medina family for all their sherry interests. Bodegas Williams & Humbert own 250 hectares of vineyard in the Añina and Carrascal pagos or the vineyard zones where Palomino is the most traditional and predominant variety. It has been used for centuries since it arrived in the sixteenth century in the hands of Flemish troops. “Palomino fino”, the most commonly used clone is well adapted to the chalky Albariza soils and the local climate and is resistant to parasites when cultivated correctly.
Albariza soil has amazing ability to retain humidity. It is a soil of great porosity and lightness, something of great importance for the root system of the vine and for the accumulation of water in the form of humidity as would a sponge, without waterlogging or saturation. This Albariza soil has a high limestone content and has a low level of organic material, which means that full development of the vine is achieved simply by the correct application of fertilizer.
www.williams-humbert.com
Food and wine
Shellfish, fish and light dishes including cold meats. Refer also to our food and wine pairing guide, click here.
Did you know?
Although Manzanilla and Fino sherries are made the same way they differ in taste. This is attributed to the microclimate of Sanlucar with its seaside salty tang.