Lustau N.V. Solera Familiar Fino Sherry Jarana, Jerez Spain

This is the flagship sherry of Lustau. It a a classic Fino, intense, pungent, fat and rich with aromas and flavors of flor yeast, iodine, sea air, nuts, ripe and baked apples, honeysuckle, and spice. Pair with fish and seafood, Iberian ham with olives, white gazpachos (from almonds).

This particular sherry is aged in the port town of Puerta de Santa Maria, where it picks up its iodine aromas and salty tang.

The history of Lustau starts in 1896, when it was founded by Don Jose Ruiz-Bodejo. He was what is known as an almacenista (basically a storekeeper).  In other words, he grew some of his vines in his own vineyard, made then aged the wines or a period of time, and sold them to an exporter who further exported or commercialized them. After his death in 1930, the operation was moved to Jerez and expanded. It was Ruiz-Bodejo's son-in-law that established the Lustau Solera Reserva wines composed of old stocks of wines from different almacenistas.