Country of origin: Spain    Alcohol content: 15% ABV

Made in Jerez de la Frontera from Pedro Ximénez grapes that are sun dried to concentrate the natural sugars before pressing. Fermentation is halted by the addition of grape spirit, both fortifying the wine and allowing much of the sugar to persist to the final bottling. The wine is solera aged, with the average age being 8 years as soleras do not produce wines of a singular age due to continuous fractional blending over many years.

Dark mahogany in colour, rich raisin and dried fruit on the nose with notes of baking spice.

Enjoy neat as a digestif, as a rich substitute for sweet vermouth when called for in classic cocktails. Plays well as an addition to an Espresso Martini.

About Fernando De Castilla:

Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is named after the thirteenth century king, also called "El Santo", who conquered much of western Andalusia. The eponymous king is said to have discovered the exceptional qualities of the soil and climate of the Marco de Jerez and its ability produce wines of exceptional quality. Despite the historical name, the bodega is relatively young in Jerez terms, having been founded in the 1960s by Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde as Fernando III and then renamed in 1972.

The Andrada-Vanderwilde family has been involved in winemaking in the area for two centuries, but Fernando initially focused on producing exceptional brandy before expanding to Pedro Ximénez and sherry vinegar. In 1999 Norwegian-born Jan Pettersen was able to realise his lifelong passion and, together with a group of investors, bought the bodega to produce high-end sherry.