List with the best manzanilla sherry wines for all budgets
This is the list of the best manzanilla wine for me, as well as some of my other favorite manzanilla sherry wines. Of course the list includes sherry wines that people can buy and that is not only for wine collectors.
I have separated the best manzanillas by cost, to cover all budgets. A good old Manzanilla wine (pasada) is my favourite biologically aged sherry. It has a slightly bitter taste, full-bodied and with strong bakery aromas…. One of the best wines to pair with food in the world!
Extra information about sherry production
If you would like more information about what manzanilla wine, manzanilla pasada, manzanilla en rama and the types of sherry wine produced, please click here. On the other hand, you can watch the following video to learn how each sherry wine is made.
As I do sherry wine tours in the province of Cadiz, some guests have asked me which sherry I recommend. In this blog I talk about my recommendations and the manzanilla wines that I use on my sherry tours. If you are planning to buy one of these Manzanilla wines, I am leaving you a direct link to buy them through Amazon. It won’t cost you more, but It will really help out this project.
If you are interested in all this, you may want to know about the new changes in the Sherry rules. Please click here to read about the new regulations that the DO Sherry has done in 2022.
Hopefully this blog helps you decide which manzanilla sherry to buy. I use many of the following wines on my routes, as I consider them my favourites. I never receive benefit from any sherry winery, not even doing the routes, only in this case from Amazon. Sadly in the British amazon there are only two of all the manzanilla sherry wines I recommend.
However, if you live in Spain, click this link to find all the options in the Spanish version.
Other types of sherries, from dry to sweet
If this blog makes you feel like you need a sherry in hand and it doesn’t fit, you may want to check out the following blogs. Click on any of the following links if you are interested in knowing my favorite sherry wines for each type of sherry.
Is your favorite sherry wine el palo cortado? If so, click here to see some of my favorites. If your favorite Sherry wine is Amontillado wine, click here. Find here my favorite Amontillado sherries for all budgets. If you love oxidative ageing then click here to find my favourite oloroso sherry wine.
However, if you prefer sweet sherry wines, click here to see what I recommend within cream sherry.
On the other hand, if you want to learn more about: biological and oxidative aging; the soleras system; and the “flower” (the layer of yeast that grows on some sherry), click here.
Best manzanilla sherry wine
In this section I dedicate it to what I believe is the best manzanilla wine. It is a spectacular and unique wine, at the limit of biological ageing. It is a wine that has a higher price tag, but the age, aromas and quality make it necessary to try at least once. This is the Manzanilla la Kika from Bodegas Yuste.
La Kika Manzanilla sherry from Bodegas Yuste
Normally the “flor” does not usually exceed 10 years before it starts to die. These manzanilla sherries are usually manzanilla-amontilladas, since they do not receive enough nutrients from the previous “criadera”. To learn more how sherry is produced, click here. In La Kika manzanilla wine, they have taken care of the “flor” so much that it reaches 11 years on average and is still alive. The Peñín guide gives 94 points to La Kika Manzanilla sherry from Bodegas Yuste.
Best value manzanilla sherry wine
In this section I will include the Manzanilla wines that I love and that are recognized for their great value.
Aurora manzanilla sherry
This wine is in this category not only because I think it’s the best value, but because the New York Times also said it in 2020. As it says, it is also the best manzanilla in the world for less than 20 dollars. It got a gold medal by the IWC in 2016 and also a gold medal for the “Sommelier wine awards” in 2017. It is an 8-year-old Manzanilla olorosa wine, which if it continues to pass to the following criaderas, it becomes La Kika. The Peñín guide gives 95 points to the manzanilla aurora.
Manzanilla pasada Pastora sherry
This Manzanilla pasada Pastora is another incredible Manzanilla with strong yeasty notes. It is around 9 years old and is super enveloping, with strong aromas of pastries from having been in contact with the lees and the “flor” for so long. The Peñín and Parker guides both give 93 points to Manzanilla pasada Pastora.
Great manzanilla sherry for everyday
In this section I will be including those manzanilla sherries that can be bought for everyday consumption. Manzanillas which are under 10€ and are younger than the other ones but of great value and complexity.
San Leon manzanilla sherry
This manzanilla sherry wine is a manzanilla olorosa of about 6 years old. The Peñin guide gives 92 points to the San León manzanilla wine.
La Gitana manzanilla sherry
La Gitana manzanilla sherry is a common wine, not hard to find. It is a manzanilla fina-olorosa of about 5-6 years, but interesting. If this Manzanilla wine continues to pass to the following criaderas, it becomes Manzanilla Pastrana. The Peñín guide gives 92 points to La Gitana manzanilla sherry.
Sherry wine tours in Cadiz province
Thank you so much for reading this blog of the best manzanilla sherry wines. If you are looking for Sherry wine experiences to taste and understand the types of sherry wine even better, contact us. We do cultural and culinary experiences throughout Cadiz province. I will now take advantage to show off to you the great food tours in Cadiz province that we do. Officially, Vejer de la Frontera is one of the most beautiful villages of Spain, you should come and meet us!
Sherry wine tours
Join my virtual online sherry tour if you are interested in doing a sherry tasting from home with me while we learn about sherry history, sherry production and how each type of sherry is made.
Join my Ultimate Sherry wine Tasting tour within Jerez-Sherry-Xeres D.O. and Manzanilla, and learn the full sherry process from the vineyard to your glass. Enjoy the best Sherry bodega tours, local culture and traditions and the local gastronomy. In case you don’t have a car we can arrange transport, restaurant and the rest of your trip for you. We can design a private tour just for you and your family.
Please watch the next video to see what do we do in the sherry winery tour:
If you are staying in Vejer de la Frontera or within Cadiz province we can organise a private Sherry wine tasting with local gourmet tapas for your group. We will go to your place and do a Sherry wine or Andalusian wine tasting for you privately. Each sherry wine will be paired with with a local food tapas. We can focus on premium Sherries; a mix of VORS and premium Sherries; or Andalusian wines in case you do not like Sherry wine.
Our sherry & tapas tour in Cadiz or Vejer de la Frontera is always a good hit! Learn about 5 different sherry wines (from dry to sweet), wine tastings, and how to pair it with gourmet traditional food from the area. The tour includes 5 gourmet tapas and 5 wine/Sherries.
Sherry wine love is very contagious, surely you will also become a sherry lover!
Contact us
To learn more about sherry, culture and travel guides, please hit the big blue button to read other blog posts. If you have any ideas and suggestions, please do not hesitate to write us an email at info@explorelatierra.com. Please read our privacy policy before you get in touch with us. We will take your new recommendations into consideration.
