397: How Does The Solera System Give Every Glass Of Sherry Centuries Of History?

How does the Solera system give every glass of sherry centuries of history? How does Sherry's "second terroir" shape the wine just as much as the vineyard itself? Why should every great wine cellar have mature, dry Sherry?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Howkins, who has just published a new book on Sherry.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.

Giveaway

Two of you are going to win a copy of Ben Howkin's terrific book, Sherry: Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent! To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

How did Ben win one of the wine world's most prestigious scholarships with a single word?

Why does Ben still remember his very first glass of Fino Sherry more than 60 years later?

What makes the Solera system one of the most remarkable ageing methods in the wine world?

How can every bottle of Sherry contain traces of wines made generations ago?

Can the position of a single barrel inside a bodega really change the taste of the wine?

What makes old Amontillado sherry such a thrilling wine to taste?