Pedro Ximénez Tradición VOS

Pedro Ximenez Tradicion VOS comes from the Tradicion winery in the D.O. Jerez, a single-variety wine made only from Pedro Ximenez. The grapes are harvested and then left out in the sun to dry, dehydrating the fruit so the sugars concentrate into a very sweet must. During fermentation the wine is fortified, which halts the conversion of sugar and locks in the natural sweetness. It is then aged through the criaderas and soleras system, the fractional blending of Jerez where wine moves through a stack of casks and younger material is added to older across the years; the VOS designation marks an average age of around twenty years. That long oxidative ageing in oak darkens the wine to golden amber and ochre and builds the toasted, roasted layers that sit over the dried fruit. The colour shows amber and ochre highlights. The nose carries dark dried fruit with chocolate, coffee and liquorice. The palate is rich and velvety, unctuous through the middle yet light enough on its feet to stay drinkable, finishing on toffee and a coffee-tinged length. Serve cool in a small glass after dinner, with dark chocolate, coffee cake or an aged hard cheese.