Fino Pando

Williams & Humbert was founded in Jerez de la Frontera in 1877 and remains one of the most established producers in the Sherry triangle. Fino Pando is made from Palomino, the dominant Sherry grape, grown on albariza, the brilliant white chalk soil that defines the best vineyards of Jerez and holds moisture beneath a hard crust through the dry Andalusian summer. After a dry fermentation the base wine is lightly fortified, kept low enough in strength for flor to thrive. The wine then ages biologically in a criaderas and soleras system, where each cask carries a living layer of flor yeast on the surface. The flor feeds on oxygen and alcohol, protecting the wine from oxidation and giving Fino its pale colour, bone dry palate and tang of fresh bread and almond. It pours pale straw, with an intense nose of dried fruit, almond and yeast. The palate is dry and full bodied for a Fino, finishing with a surprising freshness and a clean saline lift. Serve well chilled in a white wine glass as an aperitif, or with fried fish, olives, cured ham and shellfish.