The Sunday Times 16th Dec 2020
"I’m scratching my head in puzzlement as to why prices for dry sherry haven’t risen significantly. This manzanilla is a lovely aperitif with a bowl of olives or almonds. Serve direct from the fridge and savour its tangy richness. - Will Lyons"
Liverpool Echo 31st Oct 2020
"This pale lemon
manzanilla is from the coastal village of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. It's citrussy,
salty, zingy, and yeasty. Its fresh notes are mouth-watering and even more
delicious with a glisten of olives, artichokes and a twist of Iberico ham just
before dinner (or just because you can). - Jane Clare"
Country Life 14th Aug 2019
"If you prefer a
slightly more full-bodied style [of manzanilla], go for Barbadillo's Solear. - Harry Eyres"
Scottish Field 28th Jun 2019
"High-acid soups like
gazpacho need a high-acid wine like a Manzanilla or Fino sherry for balance.
Fino and Manzanilla are the two driest types of sherry and are both made from
the Palomino white grape, with Fino produced in the town of Jerez itself and
Manzanilla in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which is closer to the sea. Manzanilla
sherries have a slight salty tang mixed in with their fresh green apple and
lemon flavours, which I think works especially well with gazpacho soup and
other tomato-based sauces. Barbadillo’s Solear is a reliable brand and is aged
for six years before going on sale; it’s also marketed as an ideal match for
fish and chips. - Peter Ranscombe"
The Spectator 27th Jun 2019
"Another manzanilla
(like a fino but from the seaside town of Sanlucar) but in a much lighter style
[than En Rama style].It’s simple refreshing stuff. Drink it very cold on a
summer’s day, then fall asleep in a deck chair. - Jonathan Ray"
The Sunday Times 3rd Feb 2019
"So good, yet so
cheap: have it in the fridge at all times. A lovely dry aperitif with a
satisfying salty, nutty tang. Serve blisteringly cold with olives. - Will Lyons"
JancisRobinson.com 8th Dec 2018
"Manzanilla and Fino
are the pale, dry, light sherries that make great appetite stimulants — useful
over the festive season. Pale honey colour. Pungent nose. Smoky with a whiff of
treacle toffee. Very fresh and clean as a whistle. - Jancis Robinson"
Olive 14th Nov 2018
"This pocket-friendly
half bottle of manzanilla has a cheek-puckering dryness that’s rounded off by
floral apricot and subtle green apple. - Hannah Guinness"
JancisRobinson.com 9th Nov 2018
"Pale honey colour.
Pungent nose. Smoky and like a whiff of treacle toffee. Clean as a whistle but
perhaps not ethereal. Good value. 16/20"
Sunday Express 4th Nov 2018
"Another bargain, this
manzanilla is salty, tangy and yeasty with bright fresh apple and citrus fruit
flavours. It's an elegant, bright sherry with attractive purity. - Jamie Goode"
Manchester Evening News 10th Oct 2018
"This is taken from a
selection of Barbadillo bodegas in Sanlucar from casks where the wine has been
ageing for about six years. So while it's a fresh Manzanilla, it's also
developed too.
Bread and saline notes on the nose with a suggestion of iodine and the palate
shows plenty of fruit with apple, chamomile and lime acidity. Superb with
clams. - Andy Cronshaw"
The view from my table 5th Oct 2018
"Nothing very
surprising about a manzanilla, perhaps, but tasting it after 60-odd wines, I
was struck anew by it’s wonderful freshness and character. Wonderful,
refreshing saline character so typical of Sanlucar; yeasty, tangy. Solear is my
favourite manzanilla (and as ever a steal, too.) - Andy Neather"
wineanorak.com 28th Sep 2018
"This is such a
bargain. Salty, tangy and yeasty this has nice bright fresh apple and citrus
fruity notes, in an elegant, bright style. Nice purity. 91/100 Jamie Goode"
Yorkshire Post 14th Jul 2018
"This zingy tangy
tastebud-refreshing wine is the lightest and driest style of sherry, and at 15%
is no stronger than some wines. It is the perfect partner for salted nuts,
slivers of ham and olives. Drink within a week of opening for the freshest
flavours. - Christine Austin"
The Guardian 5th May 2018
"Dry, refreshing and
tangy. A great way to kick off a meal. - Fiona Beckett"
Manchester Evening News 28th Apr 2018
"Made in Sanlucar de
Barrameda, where the proximity to the coast helps keep the bodegas cool enough
to maintain the flor yeast cap which covers the liquid surface of sherry casks.
Solear is kept in the barrel to mature for six years during which time the
palate gradually fattens out under the flor. Tasting from 'en rama' from a
Solear butt in progress revealed how the fruit becomes riper and fuller. Solear
does however maintain a delicacy and freshness compared to Fino from Jerez
which makes is perfect for sipping in the sun. The bready aromas are pungent
and there is a hint of ... iodine notes ... Andy Cronshaw "
100 AWEsome Wines 1st Mar 2018
"My go-to bracing
Manzanilla, always reliable, tangy, appetising and great value. I also love the
half-bottle format. Just ideal for apero. - Anne Krebiehl"