Lustau 3 en Rama Fino de Jerez de la Frontera 2025

Lustau, founded in 1896, draws this Fino from Jerez de la Frontera, one of the three corners of the Sherry triangle. It is part of a set of three en rama Finos, each from a different town, made to show how location shapes a wine from the same Palomino grape. The base wine grows on albariza, the white chalk soil that retains winter rain and reflects the strong sun, keeping the vines fed through the dry summer. After fortification to around 15 percent the wine ages biologically in the solera under a veil of flor yeast. That living layer feeds on oxygen and acetaldehyde, shielding the wine from browning and giving Fino its pale colour and saline, bready, almond character. Bottled en rama, drawn from the cask with minimal filtering, it keeps more aroma and texture and reflects the fresher, more delicate style of the Jerez cellars. Expect a pale colour and a nose of almond, green apple, chamomile and fresh dough over sea air. The palate is bone dry, saline and crisp. Serve well chilled at around 8C in a white wine glass, from a fresh bottle. It is a savoury aperitif and a partner for seafood.