Matusalem Cream Sherry

The Palomino must destined for Matusalem comes from the first press of the continuous presses so as to obtain slightly more structure and body. Following fermentation to between 11% and 12% alcohol the wine is fortified to 18% alcohol and then enters the Oloroso solera. An empty space of 100 litres is left in the casks so that the wine has a large surface area in contact with the oxygen and therefore undergoes complete oxidisation. The Pedro Ximenez grape undergoes a strong press similar to olive oil production. The must then begins to ferment although stops at around 7% alcohol due to sugar stress. At this time the wine is fortified to 15% alcohol and then enters into the Pedro Ximenez solera.

The vineyards in Jerez are unique to the area. The soil in Jerez is majority Albariza, a white soil which contains up to 60% chalk and therefore has a large capacity for maintaining moisture, very important given the long, hot and dry summers as irrigation is prohibited. The area has a unique microclimate influenced by the surrounding Atlantic ocean and rivers Guadalquivir and Guadalete. The prevailing winds are moist and warm, and now and again dry and hot levante winds from north Africa. Temperatures are warm with 70% humidity and annual rainfall is 600 litres/m2. The harvest in Jerez begins mid August and generally lasts for 3 weeks máximum. The Pedro Ximenez grape, although a white grape, is treated slightly differently as it is destined for sweet wines. The grapes are collected from the vine slightly later and they are then sun dried in a process called ‘soleo’ when the grapes bunches are laid out on esparto mats in the vineyard for up to two weeks. During this time the grape loses about 40% of its volumen due to evaporation of water which causes concentration of sugars.

After ageing separately for more or less 15 years the two grapes varieties are blended, 75% Palomino and 25% Pedro Ximenez. The blend then enters into the Matusalem solera where is will spend a further 15 years.