Fino Viejo NV

Located in Jerez de la Frontera, in the heart of the Marco de Jerez in Andalusia, the Bodegas Tradición estate crafts its Fino Viejo from vineyards planted on the famous chalk-rich albariza soils. These plots are primarily found in the region's historic pagos, benefiting from an Atlantic climate tempered by sea winds. The ocean's influence, high luminosity, and the soil's water retention capacity lend the Palomino Fino grapes great finesse, ideal for winemaking and the long aging under flor veil of this traditional fino.

Made from Palomino grapes grown on the albariza soils of Marco de Jerez, this Fino is produced using the region's traditional method. After fermentation in tanks, the wine is fortified and then aged under a veil of flor in a solera and criaderas system, in old American oak barrels, for many years to develop its aromatic complexity and great finesse, before bottling without aggressive filtration.

This wine reveals notes of fresh almond, hazelnut, and marzipan, complemented by saline and mineral touches, as well as iodine nuances reminiscent of the ocean's proximity. Yeasty and brioche accents, combined with delicate herbaceous notes, add complexity and depth. On the palate, the texture is taut and vibrant, carried by lively acidity, great dryness, and a long, savory, and particularly 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.