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

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, white almonds, brine, citrus, hint pear, mineral
Mouth: dry, med body, med- acid, light fortification, med+ flavour intensity, salty, brine, white almonds, citrus, pear, hint butter, med length
All in all: Good quality: The wine’s simple fino flavours are intense and concentrated, wrapped up by a fresh and balanced structure, but isn’t too persistent. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Fino Sherry from Spain.
Is really: Mid-priced Fino Sherry from Spain.

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

The Palomino grape is a bit of a boring jerk in its grape form, but it’s able to blossom into several types of sherries. … read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale gold, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developed, brine, almonds, hint dried citrus peel, hint meaty, citrus, hint vinegar
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med acid, low fortification, med+ flavour intensity, hint brine, almonds, cashews, hint meatiness, fleshy finish, med+ length
All in all: Apparently, a flawed bottle despite my original guess of very good quality. I obviously need to drink more sherry.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Amontillado from Spain.
Is really: High-priced Manzanilla (En Rama) from Spain.

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

Flawed bottle, unfortunately (oxidized?). I definitely need to drink sherry more, because I hilariously thought that the wine was better than it was (which was flawed). I will shamelessly praise myself for guessing Amontillado, which apparently this wine seemed like.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med amber, legs
Nose: clean, fully developed, pronounced intensity, grilled nuts, almonds, mushroom, fig, caramel, hint citrus and apple, earthy funk
Mouth: sweet, med+ body, med+ intensity, med- acid, high alcohol/fortification, grilled nuts, mushroom, bready, hint fruit, long length.
All in all: Very good quality: the wine has persistent and complex tertiary notes but lacks a touch of concentration and complexity. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Premium Madeira (made from Bual or Malmsey) from Portugal.
Is really: Mid-priced blended Sherry from Spain.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 1]

A big example of the whole price and preference thing not matching here, since out of the three wines in our blind fortified lineup, this was the wine I designated as the highest quality (though all three were agreed-upon as very good quality).… read more