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Solera

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

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Spanish term. A method of perpetually ageing wine in a “pyramid” of barrels. Wine for bottling drawn from the bottom layer. The barrels from this layer, are then topped from the next layer up, and so on until the top layer is reached. This layer is topped by fresh wine made that year. The barrels are typically left 5/6ths full. Each layer in a Solera is called a Criadera, or layers. Fino sherries will have 7 criadera, Manzanilla at least 9 and up to 20. Practically, wineries, simply place them in batches representing a criardera rather than building actual solera stacks. The image below shows the basics of how the system works.

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Domaine Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos du Meix 2021
Lamy’s tiny Clos du Meix parcel is just 0.7 hectares, situated at the western fringe of the village. Planted between 1985 and 1995, the sheltered location (just below Les Castets on a south-facing slope), its heavier clays, and the fact that it is fully enclosed by a wall (and therefore protected from the cold, northern winds), always gives this wine excellent texture to go with its intense minerality. Contributing to this mineral character is the bony soil in this vineyard, which has just
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Yarra Yering Dry Red No.2 2019
Seduction by Wine!

Yarra Yering Dry Red No.2 2019

Shiraz/Syrah | Yarra Valley, Australia

The original Shiraz Viognier blend .. with a spalsh ofMataro! A complex and layered wine; sweet and savoury all at once. The fragrance is melting pot of violets, plums, savoury spices and a whiff of bramble and five spice. Moderate in weight; the summer pudding fruits come in all colours dialling up the flavour interest. There is cigar box and cardamom spice lending intrigue. Firm yet fine tannins ably support the fruit and texture drive the palate. This one is hard to put in a box, there is so
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Moreau-Naudet Chablis 1er Cru 'Montée de Tonnerre' 2022
Montée de Tonnerre has a sandy, rocky topsoil, rich in Kimmeridgian limestone. The one-hectare parcel that gifts this wine is situated within the lieu-dit of Chapelot, which is separated from the Grand Cru Blanchot by a narrow ravine. The vines cover two continuous plots: one aged 50 years; and a second parcel recently replanted. This is regularly the most mineral, chalky, deep and powerful 1er Cru Chablis in the range. It is also one of the most limited.
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Cantine Garrone Prünent 2018

Cantine Garrone Prünent 2018

Red Blend | Valli Ossolane, Alto Piemonte

Neb from the FAR NORTH ... Stylistically think the more ethereal communes of Valtellina! Brooding and darker than the Ca d’Mate with a build in structure. A little Austere, yet you can see there is much to come with time in bottle. Openning in the glass to reveal woody herbs, fresh sour cherry and complexities beyond.Such a different balance point to Barolo & Barbaresco. 13.5% sees vibrant fruit with layered dusty ripe tannins, whereas Barolo and Barbaresco need 14.5% for the same. En
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