Lustau Vermut blanco

Lustau is a century-old Jerez house, established in 1896, that has revived the tradition of building vermouth on a Sherry base. This white is made from one of the bodega's Fino wines, aged biologically under flor, blended with a sweet Moscatel. The Fino comes from Palomino grown on the chalky albariza soils of the Jerez triangle, where the limestone holds moisture through the dry Andalusian summer and lends saline freshness. Ageing under a living veil of flor yeast consumes oxygen and glycerol and throws off acetaldehyde, giving the dry, yeasty, nutty character that runs through the finished vermouth. To this base the cellar adds botanicals such as marjoram, which contributes citrus and balsamic lift, the maceration and light sweetening following the traditional method. The colour is pale gold. The nose is floral, citrus and herbaceous, with almond, a balsamic note and a subtle mineral background. The palate is savoury and bitter from start to finish, with the saline Fino character clearly present. Serve well chilled at 6 to 8C, over ice with a twist of lemon.