This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for Sweet Sherry over £15 went to Lustau, Emilín, Moscatel NV (17%)
Tasted against:
- Bodegas Hidalgo-La Gitana, Triana 30 Years Old VORS, Pedro Ximenez
- Gonzalez Byass, Matusalem Aged 30 Years, Cream
- Lustau, 30 Years Old VORS, Pedro Ximenez
- Osborne, Sibarita 30 Years Old VORS, Oloroso
- Osborne, Venerable, Pedro Ximenez
Profile:
Lustau has an unrivalled portfolio of Sherries – 40 in total – and it is the only producer that makes Sherry in the three towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Its aim is to highlight the varying personalities of Sherries that are produced within this so-called ‘Sherry triangle’.
In the 1940s, Emilio Lustau Ortega, son-inlaw of founder José Ruiz-Berdejo, entered the business and relocated the winery to Santiago, a historic area of Jerez de la Frontera. It was Lustau Ortega who was also responsible for the creation of the Solera range, of which this Trophy-winner forms part.
The grapes for Emilín are grown in a vineyard called Las Cruces in Chipiona. Close to the sea and with sandy soil, it offers perfect conditions for growing Moscatel grapes (and is also where Lustau grows its Pedro Ximinéz).
Once the Moscatel grapes have been harvested and fermented, the wine is aged in American oak barrels in Jerez de la Frontera, using the traditional solera system, before being released onto the market where Lustau sells about 20,000 bottles a year.
Perfect on its own, Lustau also recommends enjoying it alongside cheeses, rich desserts or sweet pastries.
Written by Decanter
