Alvear Fino en Rama

Alvear is the oldest winery in Andalusia, working the Montilla-Moriles appellation south of Córdoba between the Genil and Guadajoz rivers. This Fino en Rama is made from Pedro Ximénez grown on albariza, the white chalk soil that holds winter rain deep into the dry season and reflects sunlight back onto the vines. After fortification to a modest strength, the wine ages biologically for around six years in a criaderas and soleras system, where a living layer of flor yeast forms on the surface in each cask. The flor consumes oxygen, glycerol and acetaldehyde, shielding the wine from oxidation and leaving the bone dry, saline, bread-dough character that defines the style. En rama means the wine is drawn from cask with little or no filtration, so more of that flor character survives into the bottle. It pours pale straw, with a nose of almond, green apple and warm dough over a salty tang. The palate is dry and incisive, with citrus peel, a yeasty depth and a clean savoury finish. Serve well chilled in a white wine glass, ideally fresh from the bottle, alongside olives, fried fish or cured ham.