Lustau San Emilio Pedro Ximénez 375ml

San Emilio is Lustau's Pedro Ximénez, and it starts in the sun. After picking, the grapes are laid out to dry until they are practically raisins, concentrating the sugars before fermentation. The wine then ages in the traditional solera system in Jerez, where younger and older wines are gradually blended, for around twelve years.

What arrives in the glass is dark mahogany, with floral and citrus lift over dried fruit and spice. The palate is full bodied and unashamedly sweet, held together by enough acidity to keep it from cloying. It sits at 17% alcohol.

Serve it chilled, at 10 to 12 degrees, in a small glass. It belongs with rich desserts, chocolate, cakes and pastries, blue cheese, or simply poured over vanilla ice cream. The 375ml half bottle is the sensible size for a wine you pour in small measures. Origin: Jerez, Spain.