Sanchez Romate Maribel Amontillado Sherry

This very good dry Amontillado sherry is available from the Wine Society for the ridiculously favourable price of £6.50 a bottle until December 17th.

Amontillado sherry is a style of sherry that started off under a flor of yeast, but then was exposed to oxygen, either on purpose or because the flor failed to develop. The result is a darker coloured, nutty flavoured wine somewhere between Fino and Oloroso in body and richness.

I'm having difficulty trying to tell the difference between Amontillado, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado. All have been exposed to oxygen and all have a dark colour and nutty taste. Perhaps the Oloroso and Palo Cortado are richer and have more of those caramel flavours, the result of longer barrel age.

I'm really enjoying this bottle - I think it's actually the first Amontillado I've tried. It's great to have a small glass before dinner, or while I'm cooking. Also, being an oxidised wine, once opened it will keep for several days in the fridge.

This sherry is specially selected and bottled for The Wine Society.

Sanchez Romate

Maribel Amontillado Sherry

Jerez, Spain

The Wine Society

£6.50 (£7.50)

3.5/5