Attributes:

Savory & James

Jerez/Xérès/Sherry, Spain

Fino

750 ML

Food Matches:

Jerez is one of the oldest wine producing towns in Spain. Around 1490 trade had been established with the French and the British. The French and British adopted their own names for the wine which is why you will see all three names one a label of Xeres. (Jerez / Xerez /Sherry) The global positioning of the Jerez region plays a big part in regulating its climate. Like many semi-coastal regions, the ocean winds have a strong influence on the weather. In the 1800's, a vine disease called Phyloxerra destroyed many varieties that once grew in this region. Of the three grapes planted in Jerez today, Palimino accounts for 95 percent of the total vineyard area.

Attributes:

Emilio Lustau

Spain

Sherry

375 ML

NV: WineSpectator Rating: 90

solid

complex, rich

caramel, coffee

NV: WineSpectator Rating: 80

rustic

chocolate, orange, plum, prune

concentrated

NV: WineAdvocate Rating: 94

caramel, prunes, toffee

thick

Food Matches:

This mountainous country possesses more vineyard land than any other country on earth, and ranks third in wine production after France and Italy. Spain is best known for its red Riojas and its Sherries, however other wines and regions are quickly gaining notoriety. Like France, Spain divides wine into categories; table wine at the bottom level and quality wine at the top, with a large emphasis on geographical origin. VdM (Vino de Mesa) is a basic table wine. VC (Vino Comarcal) wines are a level up. VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) refers to one of the country’s 25 distinct regions, and each wine possesses a local character. At the top level, only about fifty wines are considered DO (Denominacion de Origen). These wines come from the best-known regions and are the equivalent of France’s Appellation Contrôlée. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada) is reserved for wines that adhere to the most stringent regulations. So far, Rioja is the only wine to gain the Calificada classification.

Attributes:

Emilio Lustau

Spain

Amontillado

750 ML

Food Matches:

This mountainous country possesses more vineyard land than any other country on earth, and ranks third in wine production after France and Italy. Spain is best known for its red Riojas and its Sherries, however other wines and regions are quickly gaining notoriety. Like France, Spain divides wine into categories; table wine at the bottom level and quality wine at the top, with a large emphasis on geographical origin. VdM (Vino de Mesa) is a basic table wine. VC (Vino Comarcal) wines are a level up. VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) refers to one of the country’s 25 distinct regions, and each wine possesses a local character. At the top level, only about fifty wines are considered DO (Denominacion de Origen). These wines come from the best-known regions and are the equivalent of France’s Appellation Contrôlée. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada) is reserved for wines that adhere to the most stringent regulations. So far, Rioja is the only wine to gain the Calificada classification.