Beverage of the Week (B.O.W)

This week’s Beverage of the Week is truly an iconic global brand and the world’s leading Fino Sherry.

At the age of 23, Manuel Maria Gonzalez created a wine company that would later become Gonzalez Byass. His very first bodega (cellar) was placed in the hands of his uncle José Angel de la Pena, known as Pepe to his family, to manage and create incredible Sherry. Among the creations was a rare, pale, and bone dry Sherry that was a personal favorite of Pepe.

In 1849 Manuel sent a couple of barrels to his agent in London, Robert Byass. While Byass was skeptical at first of a very pale bone dry Sherry, it soon proved to be a success. Manual named this beautiful creation for its creator, Tio (uncle in Spanish) Pepe. Since then the brand has become a global phenomenon and the brand Tio Pepe has become synonymous with the style.

This great aperitif is made exclusively with the Palomino grape - a variety that is widely grown in Spain and essential to the production of Sherry. (Learn more about Sherry at BevX.) Tio Pepe is aged for an average of five years in the solera system of aging that gently marries new wine with old over a period of years. This may seem strange that a wine aged in wood for so many years would be clear but these barrels are quite seasoned having given their amber color to previous wines.

Tio Pepe and the great style of Fino Sherry are complex and delicate. This is a style that is best-enjoyed young and fresh so be sure to buy your Sherries from a merchant that turns their inventory in a timely fashion. Tio Pepe is great with Tapas pairing well with fish, shellfish, salty ham, and hard cheese. This style is finally catching on in America thanks in part to the popularity of Tapas restaurants and Spanish cuisine. It’s long overdue.