Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep brown, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, prune, fig, treacle, sultana, raisin, cola
Mouth: luscious, full body, medium fortification, med- acid, med+ intensity, prune, molasses, brown sugar, sultana, fig, treacle, raisin, med+ length
All in all: Outstanding quality: the wine has some form of balance despite the luscious nature, and the wine is intense and concentrated without letting the sugar shine over the complex prune and treacly flavour components. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Holy unctuousness. If Bacchus ejaculated, the result would be this exact Pedro Ximénez, which would swimmingly land onto a delicious 2-scoop island of vanilla ice cream. And I’m not going to act like I offended anyone with that comparison, because it seems to me that Sherry isn’t doing so well in the global market anyways – so I’m sure I’ve attracted at least one freak with that sentence, and at least I’m helping the Sherry market.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep amber, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, cola, fig, nuts, spice, browned butter
Mouth: sweet, full-bodied, med fortification, med- acid, med intensity, cola, fig, hint nuts, sweet spice, med length, brown sugar, molasses
All in all: (Acceptable to) Good quality: though there is some intense character, there isn’t enough complexity or acid to balance out the sweetness, nor is there much character on the finish. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

You know the type. Like the faux-sepia pictures of two Converse-clad feet facing each other, with one pair tiptoeing for what is obviously a kiss, and there’s a shitty “Love is patient”-esque quote on the front.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ amber, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, grilled almonds, burnt almonds, sweet spice, caramel, mineral, baked dough, pastry
Mouth: dry, full-bodied, high fortification, med acid, pronounced intensity, grilled nuts, dough, pastry, fleshiness, minerality, long finish, almond, brown sugar, salted caramel
All in all: Outstanding quality: this Oloroso sherry has a pronounced savoury complexity that reigns over the palate with a nutty sceptre. The wine also isn’t without awesome concentration and length. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

I don’t know why some nutty sherries seem to evoke nostalgia to me. Perhaps its the intentionally oxidized and hence “aged” sort of character, or perhaps its the fact that these types of wines are the stereotypical grandma-standard of beverages.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ gold, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, grilled almond, burnt almond, nut dust, brine, earth, mineral, yeast, dough, spice, brandy, hint of caramel, olive
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med acid, medium fortification, pronounced flavour intensity, brine, grilled almond, burnt almond, dough, salted almond, long length, savoury
All in all: Very good quality: This Amontillado is exuberant and concentrated with poised balance and a lasting finish. The aromas and flavours have a moderately complex focussed thread. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Dear lord. This was the one I had to read out my notes for. Thankfully, you can almost always get away with reporting some form of “nuts” with sherry – then you have to work your way from there.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med- intensity, developing, aldehyde, brine, blanched almonds, green apple, hint fruit
Mouth: medium-dry, med body, med acid, med fortification, med- flavour intensity, aldehyde, slight nuttiness, blanched almonds, med- length, apple, honey
All in all: (Acceptable to) Good quality: there isn’t enough intensity of flavour to balance out the sweetness nor is there much character on the finish, but the wine has some level of concentration despite the low fortification. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Nothing against 40-year-olds trying to feel young. But this has a bit of that simple dry blanched almond nuttiness attempting to round itself out and add drinkability factor with sweetness from what I’d guess is sweet Pedro Ximénez wine.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, blanched almonds, yeast, hint citrus, hint green apple, yogurt, brine, savoury, mushroom
Mouth: dry, med- body, med acid, low level of fortification, med intensity, salted almond, yeast, yogurt, med+ finish, savoury
All in all: Very good quality: the pungent aldehydic character is balanced, concentrated, and refreshing. The moderate complexity and hints to green fruit persist on the finish. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

Manzanilla is an interesting subsection of Fino sherry, where wines are aged on the coast at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where higher humidity yet a cooler maritime weather encourages thicker flor growth. This results in even more pungent fresh and briny aldehydic flavours than your typical Fino.… read more

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ amber, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, fully developed, nuts, caramel, brown sugar, peanut butter, hint brine, yeast, almonds, earth, hint prune
Mouth: off-dry, full-bodied, med acid, high fortification, pronounced intensity, grilled almonds, roasted almonds, salted almonds, med length, dried citrus, toffee, caramel, hint peanut butter, briny, fleshy, long length
All in all: Outstanding quality: this Palo Cortado-style sherry has wonderful concentration and intensity; the balance is also great considering the bit of sweetness and viscosity; and the complexity sings with main cornerstones of salted almonds, roasted almonds, and a bit of peanut butter. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 7]

That’s right. I’m pairing Katy Perry with sherry, out of all things.… read more