Amontillado Tradición VORS

Amontillado Tradición VORS is a Jerez sherry from Bodegas Tradición, made from Palomino grown on the albariza chalk of the Jerez Marco. It carries the VORS designation, marking an average age well beyond 30 years in the criaderas and soleras system. The character comes from two distinct ageing stages. First the wine matures biologically under a cap of flor yeast, which keeps oxygen away and lends the fresh, saline, bready notes of a Fino. When the flor dies back the wine is fortified further, to around 19.5 percent, and continues oxidatively, exposed to slow air through the bota staves. Here ethanol converts to acetaldehyde and the wine deepens, taking on walnut, hazelnut and dried-fruit complexity. The colour is mahogany with copper glints. The nose is smoky, with toasted almond and a maritime, briny edge, while the palate is exceedingly dry, with outstanding acidity, walnut depth and a long, savoury finish. Serve lightly cool at 13 to 14 degrees in a tulip glass to open the aromatics. It suits rich savoury food and mature cheeses.