This Sunday Sherry Expert Jeffrey Sisson on hand from 3-5PM to answer all your in-depth questions about Sherry.
Jerez de la Frontera, El Maestro Sierra Fino NV $16
Jerez de la Frontera was fFounded in 1832 by José Antonio Sierra, who was the barrels maker for all the major Sherry houses, but longed to become involved in the Sherry trade itself. Eventually he became one of the top almacenistas of high quality Sherries. Poking fun at his struggle, the label depicts a fox hunt of that time period with the “nobles” hunting the fox (El Maestro Sierra). 100% Palomino grapes and aged for six years in the Solera and bottled straight off the lees with only a minimal cold stabilization before bottling. Yeasty and doughy notes with hints of brine. The palate is dense and full flavored with bright fruit and a nice salty component.
San Lúcar de Barrameda, La Cigarrera Manzanilla NV $12
Bodegas La Cigarrera is located in the heart of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. This almacenista began operations in 1758, and cellar master Ignacio Hidalgo began bottling his own Manzanilla in 1997. La Cigarrera Manzanilla is aged four years in the Solera before being bottled. 100% Palomino grapes, this is vibrant and fresh with aromas of yeast and saline. The palate is rich and substantial.
Bodegas Grant Amontillado “La Garrocha” NV Cadiz, $14
Bodegas Grant, located in the heart of the town of El Puerto de Santa María, has been owned by the same family since 1841. The Grant family are almacenistas who only recently began to estate bottle. Their label, La Garrocha, refers to a famous dance performed with a stick while on horseback. This Amontillado has spent nine years aging through the Solera system. The microclimate of the bodega produces a distinct flor that gives this sherry its unique characteristics. Made from 100% Palomino grapes, this is very floral with sweet nutty aromas. The palate is savory and dry with notes of walnuts, almonds and crystallized orange.
Cesar Florido Oloroso “Cruz del Mar” NV Chipiona, $18
Bodegas César Florido was founded in 1887 and is currently maintained by César Florido, a descendant of the founder. The winery is the oldest bodega in the town of Chipiona. It is one of only two bodegas that are still operating outside of the cooperative. Chipiona is an area dedicated to growing Moscatel, but most of the wine produced here is sold in bulk to the big Sherry houses. 100% Palomino grapes, this Oloroso is aged for 12 years in solera. Elegant with brown, velvety aromas and a great palate that pairs wonderfully with red meat, game and mature cheeses.
Cesar Florido Moscatel “Pases” NV $18
When the grapes are harvested, the clusters are laid out in the sandy flats close to the ocean and left to dry for two to three weeks. Once the majority of the moisture is evaporated the grapes are crushed and fermented. Aged for nine years in the solera, and made with 100% Moscatel grapes. The flavors are concentrated and rich. This is a dessert Sherry with wild floral aromas along with intense flavors of figs, apricots and toffee.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.