Emilio Lustau’s impressive bodega complex (since 1896) is located in the heart of Jerez, the proud capital of the sherry region in Andalusia. The city is actually called Jerez de la Frontera, because it was on the border of a Moorish and Christian sphere of influence for a long time. What makes the sherries of Lustau so special? In addition to the large bodegas, the sherry region has the so-called almacenistas, ‘stockholders’ of small quantities of special sherry. In the bodega of Lustau there are more than 20,000 barrels, a monumental wine cellar with beautiful sherries.

Manuel Lozano is the capataz (cellar master) of Lustau. He knows how the special character of sherry arises. Lozano: “Our sherries are the result of a careful selection of the best wines that have been fortified with wine alcohol and then undergo a delicate maturing process in the solera”. In addition to the standard series (fino, medium dry and oloroso), the fantastic Lustau Reserva sherries mature in Lustau’s bodega. And finally, in Lustau’s treasury, the famous almacenista wines are cherished: small amounts of special top-class cherries with a unique taste. They come from small, traditional bodegas where the art of maturing old sherries has been passed down from father to son for generations. The average age of these jewels varies from 30 to 60 years.

Lustau’s Papirusa is an extremely refined dry sherry that has matured in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The location by the sea provides a unique taste character. A slight saltiness makes the wine nice and delicate. Manizanilla Papirusa is made from the palomino fino and is fortified to 15.5% alcohol. The ripening takes place in wooden barrels (solera system) in which the famous ‘flor’ develops, a gray-white layer of yeast cells. This gives the sherry its special smell and taste.

0.375 liter bottle