# Palo Cortado Península Solera Familiar

- **Producer:** Lustau
- **Colour:** other
- **Type:** fortified
- **Grapes:** Palomino
- **Region:** Andalucía, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 19.0%
- **Average price:** €30
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** orange, vanilla, mocha, butter, chocolate, dried fruit, hazelnut, almond, leather, coffee, tobacco, walnut

## About this wine

The Palo Cortado Península Solera Familiar is a fortified wine from the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Denominación de Origen Protegida, produced by Bodegas Lustau. Crafted from 100% Palomino grapes, it originates from the Andalusia region of Spain. This wine is distinguished by its 'Solera Familiar' designation, indicating its fractional aging within a traditional solera system, a method that ensures consistency and complexity over time. Bodegas Lustau, established in 1896, is recognized for its commitment to quality and its presence across the three key cities of the Sherry Triangle.

## Interesting facts

- Palo Cortado is one of the rarest Sherry styles.
- Aged for an average of 12 years in American oak.
- Lustau produces wines in all three Sherry Triangle cities.
- Production is limited to under 24,000 bottles annually.

## Food pairing

The wine's dry profile and nutty complexity complement cured meats and aged cheeses. Its medium-plus body and subtle richness can stand up to richer proteins like duck and game, while its acidity provides a refreshing contrast to fatty elements.

## Wine making process

The production of Palo Cortado Península Solera Familiar begins with the Palomino grape. The wine undergoes an initial period of biological aging under flor, followed by a redirection towards oxidative aging after fortification. It is then aged fractionally through a traditional Solera system, utilizing American oak casks. This fractional blending, where younger wine is added to older wine over time, is central to maintaining the wine's consistent character and complexity. The average age of the wine within this specific solera is 12 years.