Behind the Cork™ - It's International Sherry Week!

Four Sherry Offerings from Gonzalez Byass Paired with Spanish Turrón

This week, November 4th - November 10th, is International Sherry Week. And González Byass is leading the way.

González Byass was created in 1835 by Manuel Maria González and remains in family hands today, now in the fifth and sixth generation.  Founded in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, in the heart of Sherry country, it is dedicated to the production of high quality sherries.

Here are four excellent Sherries from González Byass:

• Nectar Pedro Ximénez (375ml) $16.99 - Produced from 100% Pedro Ximénez grapes. This sherry is dessert in a glass! It is dark brown in color with aromas of molasses and brown sugar. On the palate it has rich flavors of raisins, figs and dates with syrupy sweetness. Paired best with the Egg Yolk Turrón.

• Harveys Bristol Cream (375ml) $8.99 - Originally founded in Bristol England in 1796, it is now produced in Jerez, the home of sherry. Harveys is a light golden color with it distinctive nose from its blend of Oloroso, PX, Fino and Amonitillado that is aged for 7 years. It is mahogany in color with nice aromatics and flavors of raisins and caramel. Paired best with the Almond Nougat Turrón.

• Viña AB Amontillado (375ml) $16.99 - Made from Palomino grapes that are fermented, then fortified before entering the Solera. Light amber in color, this Sherry is delicate with subtle note of oak from its 12 years in cask. Paired best with the Hard Almond Turrón.

• Leonor Palo Cortado (375ml) $16.99 - Produced only from the “mosto yema” or the ‘free run’ juice, it is fermented and fortified prior to entering the Solera where it undergoes complete oxidation. It spends 12 years in American Oak casks. It is medium amber in color with a delicate nose. On the palate is has intense toasted notes and is sliky smooth. Paired best with the Soft Almond Turrón.

For those unfamiliar with Turrón, pastry chefs in the south of Spain have been making it for at least a thousand years. This famous confection is typically made of honey, nuts and usually egg whites. Many families keep a box of Turróns on hand for holiday parties or impromptu holiday gatherings - which is a great time to indulge with that perfect bottle of Sherry.

These four Sherries from Gonzalez Byass are a great fit as International Sherry Week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Gonzalez Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Uco Valley Cabs

Mendoza’s Uco Valley produces more than stellar Malbec. This high-altitude locale near Argentina’s border with Chile has started to make a name for itself with some pretty impressive Cabernet.

Certified organic fruit, high-altitude terroir and a French-Argentine profile have translated into a recipe for success for Domaine Bousquet.

The estate’s naturally elegant, environmentally friendly wines are now found in 61 countries around the globe, and Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s leading name in exports of wine made from organically grown grapes.

But there is another simple reason for Domaine Bousquet’s success: “We just want to make the finest wines possible and sell them at prices people can afford,” says co-owner Anne Bousquet.

 Here are five prime examples of affordable fine wines from Domaine Bousquet:

• Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($18)

• Domaine Bousquet Alavida Kosher USDA-Certified Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($18)

• Domaine Bousquet Gaia Organic Cabernet Franc 2021 ($20)

• Domaine Bousquet Gran Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($25)

• Domaine Bousquet Ameri Single Vineyard Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($36)

Look for each of these Domaine Bousquet Cabs to be featured in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week blogs. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Atlantic Fresh: White Wines of Uruguay

When Europeans settled along the coast of Uruguay, many brought their local varieties with them—from Galicia, Liguria, Southern France. Among the reds, Tannat consistently delivered exceptional fruit and became Uruguay’s flagship. As for whites, the field continues to widen. Albariño shows its talents along the far coast, but a host of others thrive as well, reflecting their proximity to the Atlantic through their distinct varietal lens. These include Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and even Riesling.

Uruguay has a varied terroir with 200+ soil types and is the only South American terroir whose climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Uruguay’s wine industry consists primarily of small, family-run wineries, many now in their fourth generation. 

Uruguay is home to a proud winemaking tradition in this unusual location, and a far cry from the desert- and Andes-dominated landscapes associated with most vineyard regions in the South America continent. Here, the dominant factor is the Atlantic Ocean, whose winds, storms, and tides ensure a cool climate. The result is a set of singular and fascinating terroirs as yet largely unfamiliar to international palates.

Each of these wines represent stories to taste. So, we’ll explore the Atlantic fresh white wines of Uruguay in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week blogs. Stay tuned! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Sunstone Winery Sauvignon Blanc

2020 Sunstone Sauvignon Blanc ($28)

When the Rice family moved in 1989 from Santa Barbara to a peaceful 52-acre Santa Ynez ranch to grow wine grapes, little did they know that they would be stewards to the first organic vineyard estate in Santa Barbara County. 

Sunstone has been committed to growing wine grapes without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fungicides since the initial planting in 1990.

Named after the exposed sun-dappled shale and stones of the vineyard estate, Sunstone winery is located on the California Central Coast, just 35-minutes north of Santa Barbara.

This Sauvignon Blanc is a pale gold in color with a medium-low nose of pear and apple. On the palate, this light-bodied wine is dry (14.5% RS) with medium acidity and flavors of pear and apple. Some research shows that Sunstone puts their Sauvignon Blanc through Malolactic Conversion which converts the sharper malic acid (found in green apples) into softer, smoother, creamy lactic acid (found in milk). This would explain the soft and smooth mouthfeel of this Sauvignon Blanc. It finishes nicely with just a bit of tartness.

This Sauvignon Blanc from Sunstone Winery is a terrific wine that is available at a great price. This make it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Behind the Cork™ - Shadow Ranch Barbera

2017 Shadow Ranch Barbera ($25)

Shadow Ranch, located in the Sierra Foothills of California, embraces the concepts of sustainable farming and having as little impact on the environment as possible. Their operation is solar powered and their vineyards are organically farmed.

With ten acres of vineyards at Shadow Ranch, their vineyards are planted in the fine-grained, well drained, decomposed granite which is common in the Fair Play region. Hilltop exposure positions the vines to receive cooling breezes in summer, preventing the grapes from maturing too quickly. In the winter, the hilltop exposure allows cold air to drain to the valley, which limits the damage from frost. This allows the grapes to stay on the vines long enough to develop the necessary complexity and concentration required to make great wine.

Sourced from their Sierra Foothills Vineyards, these Barbera grapes soak up the warm days and cool evenings of the hillsides. Fermented in small lots, these wines were pressed to 30% new French oak and aged 21 Months prior to bottling.

This Shadow Ranch Barbera is delightful with flavors of raspberry and blackberry. It is medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and light tannins. If you love Barbera, like I do, from the Sierra Foothills, this is an excellent example. And, their 2022 vintage was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 Foothill Wine Festival!

This is a great wine at a very affordable price which makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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The opinions expressed are entirely my own.