Pedro Ximenez VOS + 20 years NV

Located in the heart of Marco de Jerez, Andalusia, Bodegas Tradición produces this Pedro Ximénez from grapes sourced mainly from the vineyards of the Montilla-Moriles region and the Jerez area. The warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by Atlantic influence, promotes the extensive ripening of the Pedro Ximénez grapes, destined for sun-drying. The predominantly limestone soils, rich in albariza, contribute to the concentration and natural balance of the sweet wines produced by the winery.

Made from late-harvested Pedro Ximénez grapes, sun-dried before fermentation, this natural sweet wine ferments slowly before an early mutage to retain a high concentration of residual sugars. It is then aged for a long period using the traditional criaderas y solera system in old American oak barrels, until it reaches the VOS category, guaranteeing an average aging of over twenty years and great aromatic complexity.

This wine reveals notes of dried fig, currant, and prune, complemented by nuances of orange blossom and violet, as well as spicy touches of cinnamon and licorice. Caramelized and cacao accents, supported by discreet woody notes of vanilla and roasted coffee, add to its complexity. On the palate, the liqueur is dense and velvety, carried by sufficient freshness, with a very long, smooth, and persistent finish.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.