Two manzanillas, of the type and quality you’d see in a bar in Sanlucar, not tasted blind.
Similar in appearance with the Gabriela being slightly a paler yellow. More difference of the nose where I found the Solear to be more assertive and typical, with the Gabriela muted. To taste the Solear was linear and penetrative, refreshing and clean. No sweetness either which was something I’ve noticed before with the wine. The Gabriela was more austere and also more distinctive and longer. Hard to pick a favourite, I’d happily drink either. Good with some excellent Angelachu anchovies from Tinned Fish.
Solear from Waitrose, Gabriela from Caves de Pyrene, both around £13.
[Geoff: It was an interesting comparison between the two manzanillas and their producers. Barbadillo: family owned (seven generations); the largest manzanilla producer; 75,000 sq. m. of cellars; c. 65,000 casks; 500 ha. vineyards. Bodegas Barrero: same family since 1986; 90 ha. in Balbaina Alto pagos; bodega 225 yrs old (not by same family). So, almost two different ends of the sherry spectrum. Solear 6-7 yo wine, Gabriela 5-6 yo. Both good manzanillas – Gabriela more herby and nutty, character (single vineyard Las canas); Solear, lighter, more generally appealing. ]
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