Tio Pepe Fino Sherry

Tio Pepe Muy Seco Fino Sherry, Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Southern Spain

Grape: Palomino Fino, solera aged in oak barrels with flor yeast

Dry - always served cold from the fridge. Drink, once opened, within 4 or 5 days.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Salt, green apple, mushroom and bread – every time I taste this, it is faultless in its accuracy. So flavoursome and evocative! The best high-volume wine in the world?"

17/20 points, Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2022

"A consistent, elegant fino showing sea water, nori, kelp, green apples and salted almonds. Limpid and subtle, with a medium body and a lightly saline finish. Your Friday night movie fino to go with nuts and jamon. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink now."

91/100 points, James Suckling, June 2024

"Dry fortified white wine made exclusively from Palomino Fino grapes, aged for four years in the solera system. With a fresher profile of white and stone fruits, all supported by pulsating acidity and a creamy texture. Always consistent, it has a full and persistent finish, with hints of citrus, saline, dried fruits and umami."

91/100 points, REVISTA ADEGA (Brazil), June 2024

In 1835 in Jerez, Spain, Manuel Maria Gonzalez, an ambitious 23 year old, set up the first manifestation of the company that was ultimately to become Gonzalez Byass. Young Manuel was mentored in this by his uncle, José Angel de la Pena, (affectionately known as Pepe), already a renowned authority on sherry and its production. It was natural therefore that in 1837 Manuel should give the first, tiny bodega (cellar) over to his uncle so that the older man could potter away at his passion to create a delicate sherry to his own, personal taste. (At the time dry, Fino sherries were enjoyed only by a very few locals in Jerez).

Later, Manuel sent a couple of barrels of his uncle's new, dry wine over to his London agent, one Robert Byass. The future company partner was sceptical: "We shall see what can be done with the very, very pale wine that you so highly recommend".

Food Match: Fantastic with savoury nibbles like some decent ham, chorizo, olives, nuts, Manchego cheese and bread and oil. Great with fish, or prawns and shrimps.