Country: Spain  Region: Andalucia  Vintage: 2016 Category: Sherry  Color:  Sherry Producer: Valdespino  37.5 cl "Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, with a history of sherry production going back six centuries. Back in 1264, Alfonso Valdespino was one of 24 knights who fought for the city of Jerez with King Alfonso X, against the Arabs. As a reward for his efforts he was given land in the Jerez region. Today Valdespino belongs to the Estevez family, who purchased the bodega in 1999. They own 750 hectares of their own vineyards in Jerez, which is extremely rare in this region and allows them close control over grape quality. They are the only bodega to make single vineyard sherries and are also renowned for their VOS (Very Old Sherries) with over 20 years of ageing and VORS (Very Old Rare Sherries), with over 30 years of ageing. The Oloroso Solera 1842 VOS, for example, is produced from a Solera that was established in the mid-19th century. The Fino Inocente is one of their single vineyard sherries made from grapes grown in their Marcharnudo Alto plot, in the High Jerez zone. It is also the only fino sherry that is fermented in oak barrels and boasts a Solera system with 10 'criaderas', while most fino sherries have only three. Valdespino trademarked the term 'Sacristia' (the area of the bodega where the best casks of sherry are kept) in 1910 and are the sole bodega permitted to use it. The inspiration behind the little padlock on the El Candado Pedro Ximénez bottle came from when a member of the Valdespino family put a lock on a barrel of Sacristia sherry as a joke because it was so good. The Manzanilla Deliciosa is sourced from a single vineyard Miraflores in Sanlucar de Barrameda. On the palate it is very dry but crisp and fresh, with a slightly saline finish. Valdespino's Manzanilla Deliciosa 'En Rama', is a special selection from the same single vineyard 'Miraflores'. The En Rama is bottled unfiltered and displays wonderful intensity and rich concentrated notes of yeast and almonds. The Very Old Reserva Sherry Vinegar is made from Palomino grapes and then aged in sherry casks. It is the benchmark for this style and fits in nicely with the Italian balsamic vinegars that we carry." Product Features: Vegan;Vegetarian Product Allergens: Sulphites Label Winemaker: Maria Isabel Estevez Vineyards: The Palomino grapes for the Manzanilla come from Valdespino's single vineyard (Pago) Miraflores, which is situated in Sanlucar de Barrameda. The white 'albariza' soil is typical of the region and comes from a layer of earth rich in marine fossils. Thanks to the high content of calcium carbonate, its clayey texture does not split; it is soft when wet and absorbs rain like a sponge, and when it dries out it forms a layer that holds in the water, preventing evaporation. This reserve of moisture encourages the vine roots to develop, some reaching to more than four metres in depth, allowing them to use this water reserve when needed. Vinification: The must is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the crisp, fresh fruit flavours of the Palomino grapes. At this stage it has reached between 10.5% and 12% alcohol, is then fortified to 15% and the 'flor' yeast layer is encouraged to develop, protecting the wine from oxygen. The Manzanilla bodega is situated in Sanlucar de Barrameda, where the climate is cooler than inland Jerez and as a result the 'flor' layer is thicker, offering more protection to the wine and therefore more freshness and saline character. The wine spends five years under the 'flor', after which a special barrel is selected destined for the En Rama. The difference between the Manzanilla Deliziosa 'En Rama' and the Manzanilla Deliziosa is that the sherry is directly taken from the barrel and remains unfiltered before bottling, resulting in a Manzanilla with a lot more flavour, colour and body. Tasting Notes: The 2016 En Rama has a savoury, saline mineral character. It boasts ripe apple fruit alongside complexity from the 'flor' yeast aromas and a long delicate finish. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:15%