Fernando de Castilla Antique Pedro Ximenez Sherry
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The NV Antique Pedro Ximenez is produced from dehydrated Pedro Ximenez grapes in a solera system, and represents half of the production of the range. Mahogany-colored, it reveals plenty of notes of marinated balsamic herbs (somehow an old vermouth comes to mind), licorice and a fresh touch of candied apricots. The palate is fresh, sweet, with echoes of the raisins, showing medium age which makes it easier to drink. It might not be a terribly complex Pedro Ximenez but its freshness makes it very approachable.
Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla was founded in 1837, purchased and revitalized in 1999 by Jan Pettersen (a Norwegian with 15 years at Osborne). Jan also took over the cellars of Jose Bustamante next door and quickly established Fernando de Castilla as one of the region’s finest small, independent sherry houses. The company specializes in natural, unblended and unfined products as supreme examples of the ancient winemaking traditions of the Jerez region. The vineyards (farmed without pesticides or herbicides) and winery are all located in Jerez, all sherries are estate bottled. JEREZ || The DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry was founded in 1933, Spain’s first. It is situated in the province of Cadiz, where the wines are made in the traditional way, based on the Solera system of dynamic aging on butts (barrels). The best vineyard sites are on the famous ‘albariza’ soils, a white limestone marl; which are deep, with excellent water retaining properties. These are ideal conditions for vine cultivation since they are able to reserve the rainwater for the dry, hot summer months.
Sherry is a fortified wine that comes in many styles from dry to sweet. True Sherry can only be made in Andalucía, Spain where the soil and unique seasonal changes give a particular character to its wines. The process of production—not really the grape—determine the type, though certain types are reserved for certain grapes. Palomino is responsible for most dry styles; Pedro Ximénez and Muscat of Alexandria are used for blending or for sweet styles.
Known more formally as Jerez de la Frontera, Jerez is a city in Andalucía in southwest Spain and the center of the Jerez region and sherry production. Sherry is a mere English corruption of the term Jerez, while in French, Jerez is written, Xérès. Manzanilla is the freshest style of sherry, naturally derived from the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.