Sherry vinegar is made only in the Jerez region in Andalucia, in the hot, sunny south of Spain. This unique microclimate contributes to the distinctive qualities of the base wines from which sherry and sherry vinegar are made. This special sherry vinegar is produced from "Palomino" grapes grown in this unique microclimate.
The "Solera" system which consist of a series of rows of 500 liter oak casks, each containing sherry vinegar of similar characteristics but different ages. All of these casks were previously used to store sherry wine, so they have absorbed many components from the wine which contributes to the taste, smell and color of the sherry vinegar being aged in them. The most mature sherry vinegar is held in the bottom row of casks, called "Solera", from which vinegar is periodically drawn for bottling and sale.
Above that is the first "Criadera", casks containing Sherry Vinegar of a slightly younger age, from which small amount is drawn to add to the casks of the "Solera" row whenever they need replenishment. The first "Criadera" is in turn replenished with vinegar from the casks in the row above it, the second "Criadera", and so forth to the replenishment of the top row of casks with the newest, youngest, sherry vinegar. In this way, the sherry vinegar is consistent in quality and other characteristics from year to year. It is easy to understand why this sherry vinegar is called premium vinegar, since it is not merely acetified wine, but is a mature, complex vinegar with an incomparable taste, bouquet and color.
250 milliliter (8.45 fluid ounce) bottle
