Palomino Fino is the grape of Sherry, grown on the white albariza chalk around Jerez, SanlĂşcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa MarĂa. On its own it is neutral and low in acidity, which is exactly what makes it ideal for the solera: under a layer of flor yeast it becomes Fino and Manzanilla, tangy, saline and nutty; aged oxidatively it becomes Amontillado and Oloroso, deeper and richer with walnut, toffee and spice. A growing number of producers now bottle unfortified, still Palomino from single albariza vineyards, revealing a chalky, mineral white wine. It is also planted in the Canary Islands, where it is called Listán Blanco.

