Manzanilla Fina Miraflores Baja, Bodegas De La Riva NV

Jerez is commonly seen as a region where terroir isn’t an important factor in defining the wines. This hasn’t always been the case; in the past the region was delineated into Pagos - blocks of vineyards that have similar characteristics - and naturally some vineyards were considered more noble than others and were bottled separately. De la Riva is a renowned historic Jerez brand that was rescued by young winemakers Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Pérez in 2017. Manuel Antonio de la Riva established himself in Jerez in the late 19th Century, buying a bodega and 53 hectares of vineyards in the Pago Macharnudo, one of the oldest vineyard areas in the zone at a high elevation and with very pure limestone soil. The brand belonged to the family until the early 1970s when it was bought by Domecq. Today, Ramiro and Willy are reviving the history of Jerez and returning to the tradition methods of bottling more individual wines. Under the De la Riva label they make a white table wine (Vino Blanco) and a Fino from the pago Balbaína Alta. Additionally, there are two “almacenista” wines, both available only in half bottles and in very small quantities: an Oloroso Viejísimo from Balbaina Baja and a Moscatel Viejísimo from Loma Baja. These are fascinating wines, available in very limited quantities.

Winemaker Willy Pérez says: “You need to feel the ocean in a Manzanilla”.  The grapes for this one come from the Casilla Verde family estate about 7km from the sea in Pago Miraflores Baja. Concentrated with acacia notes and soy sauce. It’s a complex wine with a fresh saline note at the end. 

Producer  Bodegas De La Riva

Origin Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalucia, Spain

Grapes Palomino Fino

Vintage Non Vintage

Alcohol  15% ABV

Style Fortified wine - Sherry 

Bottle size 750ml

Winemaking Manual harvested. Fermented with indigenous yeast. Average age of the wine is 3 to 4 years.