Fino


The unique yeast that grows on top of the sherry protecting it from oxidation.

« Back to Wine Words Index

A Spanish sherry style. Fino is made from the grape variety Palomino Fino, it is protected by Flor yeast throughout its life. In what is called biological maturation.

The list of sherry styles below is not exhaustive. It is ordered from freshest and least alcoholic to most developed and alcoholic. The continuum of sub-styles under each is considerable. Variables being, average age, the strength of flor, and, level of oxidation (sometimes determined by the fill height of casks. These limits of each of these factors stretch as you shift from the freshest to most developed styles. A Fino won’t be seen past 6-7 years of age, an Olorosso my stretch to 90 years average age.

Freshest Fino – Manzanilla – Manzanilla Pasada – Amontillado – Palo Cortado – Oloroso – Pedro Ximénez Most Developed

« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Red Blend from Bramaterra, Alto Piemonte

Antoniotti Bramaterra 2016

The Alto is sharing its gems with us! Antoniotti's Bramaterra is a stunner. A blend of 70% Nebbiolo, 20% Croatina, 7% Vespolina & 3 % Bonarda, it just keeps giving, sniff after sniff offering up something new and special, layered, earthy, savoury, a little pine resin, spice, blue fruits and more. A richness of fruit, that I suspect is fortified by the Coratina and Vespolica, yet freshness rests beautifully in a cradle of suitably edgy Neb tannin that has you salivating for more!If this

Vintage 2016
$95
$91ea in any 3+
$87ea in any 6+

Riesling from Pfalz, Germany

Dr Bürklin-Wolf Riesling Wachenheimer ‘Gerümpal’ Premier Cru 2022

The 2022 Wachenheimer Gerümpel P.C. is super clear, intense and flinty on the very elegant and refined nose that reveals extremely stony (basalt!) and saline aromas as well as substantial fruit aromas intermingled with sulfur-spring notes. Full-bodied, this is a pure, refined and saline, vibrantly fresh and expressive terroir Riesling with remarkable intensity and grip due to its rich minerals and serious tannins. This is an age-worthy Riesling that will hardly please any non-Riesling aficionad

Vintage 2022
$141
$136ea in any 3+
$131ea in any 6+
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Base 2017 NV
84 Months on Lees

Blend from Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims

Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Base 2017 NV

V.P. = Viellissement Prolongé = Prolonged ageing on lees! The V.P. stands for Vieillissement Prolongé (prolonged ageing), as the wine spends so long on lees, in this case 84 months. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, the fruit comes from Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay--all great Grand Cru terroirs. Vinification and élevage is in oak casks, with the dosage being a tiny 2g/l, so seriously Extra Brut.The power of the fruit, plus the extended lees ageing grants such harmony, so much

Vintage 2015
$440
$425ea in any 3+
$410ea in any 6+

Pinot Noir from Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Jean Marc & Hugues Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru ‘La Dominode’ 2018

Pavelot's Top wine rates as one of the few remaining bargains in Burgundy! Delicious. Energy, length & depth, fine even velvety tannins. A little musk, red and darker berry fruits. Nice bit of baking spice, roast beetroot / blood, savoury with a whiff of graphite, together, fun, excellent drinking. A delicacy wrapping a little power. Love the line and length. Great harmony and expression. Plenty more to come from this with time.Paul Kaan, Wine DecodedAlso available as a Magnum!

Vintage 2018
$184
$179ea in any 3+
$174ea in any 6+