Bodegas M. Gil Luque Leyenda Cream Sherry
Winemaker Notes
In 1894, Mr. Ruiz, the principal shareholder, changed the name of the company to his own: Felix Ruiz and Ruiz S.A. At this time, the business reached as far as Northern Europe and South America. Since 1974 the Estevez family has managed the entire company and in 1984 the name of the company was changed to Jose Estevez S.A. In keeping with the traditions of a family business, great importance has been given to the care of the ageing of the wines.
In 1982, Jose Estevez de los Reyes bought a large proportion of shares in the Marques del Real Tesoro bodega, taking over the whole company in 1985, injecting financial and professional support. By 1989 the Estevez family held a 95% share of the company.
In the same year, the Estevez family drew up plans for the two companies, Jose Estevez S.A. and Marques del real Tesoro, to collaborate, and transfer to brand new installations, which are in use today. These plans included the construction of new offices, ageing cellars, controlled fermentation, bottling, refrigeration and storage plants, as well as a large laboratory facility.
M.Gil Luque Winery joined to the group in 2007.
Known more formally as Jerez de la Frontera, Jerez is a city in Andalucía in southwest Spain and the center of the Jerez region and sherry production. Sherry is a mere English corruption of the term Jerez, while in French, Jerez is written, Xérès. Manzanilla is the freshest style of sherry, naturally derived from the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Sherry is a fortified wine that comes in many styles from dry to sweet. True Sherry can only be made in Andalucía, Spain where the soil and unique seasonal changes give a particular character to its wines. The process of production—not really the grape—determine the type, though certain types are reserved for certain grapes. Palomino is responsible for most dry styles; Pedro Ximénez and Muscat of Alexandria are used for blending or for sweet styles.