Manzanilla is a fino-style wine that is ONLY produced in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Like fino it is made from the palomino fino grape, using the same methods, resulting in a very pale, very dry wine. What makes the main difference in flavour is the very particular micro-climate in Sanlúcar, located on the sea estuary of the Guadalquivir river. Consistently cooler temperatures and higher humidity than in Jerez or El Puerto de Santa María (the other two main towns that make up the Sherry Triangle) contribute to a thicker cover of flor, the natural yeast that protects both fino and manzanilla wines from contact with the air while it ages in oak barrels. The result is a lighter, more delicate, slightly salty flavour. Delicious!

Sherry bodegas in Sanlúcar de Barrameda that I have visited,
listed in alphabetical order…

• Bodegas Alonso

• Bodegas Argüeso

• Bodegas Barbadillo

• Bodegas Cota 45

• Bodegas Delgado Zuleta

• Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana

• Bodegas Juan Piñero

• Bodegas Las Cigarreras

• Bodegas Yuste