Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med- intensity, developing, aldehyde, brine, blanched almonds, green apple, hint fruit
Mouth: medium-dry, med body, med acid, med fortification, med- flavour intensity, aldehyde, slight nuttiness, blanched almonds, med- length, apple, honey
All in all: (Acceptable to) Good quality: there isn’t enough intensity of flavour to balance out the sweetness nor is there much character on the finish, but the wine has some level of concentration despite the low fortification. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Nothing against 40-year-olds trying to feel young. But this has a bit of that simple dry blanched almond nuttiness attempting to round itself out and add drinkability factor with sweetness from what I’d guess is sweet Pedro Ximénez wine.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, blanched almonds, yeast, hint citrus, hint green apple, yogurt, brine, savoury, mushroom
Mouth: dry, med- body, med acid, low level of fortification, med intensity, salted almond, yeast, yogurt, med+ finish, savoury
All in all: Very good quality: the pungent aldehydic character is balanced, concentrated, and refreshing. The moderate complexity and hints to green fruit persist on the finish. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Manzanilla is an interesting subsection of Fino sherry, where wines are aged on the coast at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where higher humidity yet a cooler maritime weather encourages thicker flor growth. This results in even more pungent fresh and briny aldehydic flavours than your typical Fino.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ amber, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, nuts, caramel, brown sugar, peanut butter, hint brine, yeast, almonds, earth, hint prune
Mouth: off-dry, full-bodied, med acid, high fortification, pronounced intensity, grilled almonds, roasted almonds, salted almonds, med length, dried citrus, toffee, caramel, hint peanut butter, briny, fleshy, long length
All in all: Outstanding quality: this Palo Cortado-style sherry has wonderful concentration and intensity; the balance is also great considering the bit of sweetness and viscosity; and the complexity sings with main cornerstones of salted almonds, roasted almonds, and a bit of peanut butter. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

That’s right. I’m pairing Katy Perry with sherry, out of all things.… read more