Exploring Tio Pepe Fino Sherry Tres Palmas: History, Flavor Profile, and Food Pairings

What is Fino Style Sherry?  

Compared to other types of Sherries, Fino Sherry is light on its feet and refreshing. Fino Sherry is a dry style Sherry – not sweet like Pedro Ximénez. These Sherries are a pale gold color in the glass, and almost look like a pale white wine.

Fino Sherry comes from Andalusia’s Jerez region, which is located in Spain’s southernmost region. What makes Fino special is a layer of special yeast, called “flor,” that floats on top during aging. This yeast keeps the air out, similar to the way a cork keeps oxygen from reaching the juice in a bottle of wine, and gives Fino its unique flavor – think crisp apple, a touch of salty air, and maybe some almonds.

How does Fino Sherry compare to other types of Sherry?  

Here’s the thing about Sherry: there are different types. Fino is the dry and light one. Oloroso Sherry skips the whole “flor” thing, so it’s darker colored, sweeter, and nuttier. Amontillado Sherry starts out as a Fino but loses its “flor” layer halfway through, making it a middle ground between crisp Fino and richer Oloroso.

 So, if you’re new to wine and want a dry, light white wine that’s interesting, Fino Sherry is a great choice, especially if you plan on sipping your Sherry with some food. It’s perfect before a meal (apéritif) and goes well with all sorts of tapas and seafood.

Bodega Gonzalez Byass: One of the Finest Wineries in Spain  

Bodega Gonzalez Byass is a family-owned winery in Spain owned by the Gonzalez Byass family. If you’re just starting your Sherry journey, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the name Gonzalez Byass Winery, who have been a leader in Sherry production since they first began exporting this style of Sherry in 1844. In fact, they were the first ever to export fino Sherry.

The name Tio Pepe was given to the brand’s Fino Sherry to honor Jose Angel, founder Manuel María González Angel’s uncle.

Today, Gonzalez Byass is owned by Mauricio González-Gordon y Díez, a 4th generation member of the family. Winemaker Antonio Flores, who was named Fortified Winemaker of the Year in 2016 at the International Wine Challenge leads winemaking efforts for the brand.

The Tres Palmas Fino Sherry is made with 100% Palomino grapes.

The Palomino Grape  

The Palomino grape is a Spanish grape from Andalusia that is primarily used to make Fino Sherry. Grown mostly in the Jerez region of Spain, this unusual grape is also found in pockets of California, South Africa, the Canary Islands, and Valle de Guadualupe. Some Valle de Guadalupe wineries also produce single varietal Palomino wine.

Tips for Enjoying Tio Pepe Fino Sherry  

• Serve Tio Pepe Fino Sherry with a good chill on it. We’re talking between 40-50°F.

• Fino Sherry is incredibly food friendly. The next time you pour yourself a glass, enjoy this Spanish wine with tapas, hard cheeses, or Asian foods that have a little kick to them.

• Tio Pepe Sherry isn’t just for sipping, it can also be used in cocktails like a Sherry Cobbler or Flor de Jerez.

• You can serve Fino Sherry in a standard wine glass, or in a small copitas.