As a city centre wine merchant and bar we are at the core of an increasingly vibrant food and drink scene where the culture moves fast; always looking for something new and fresh while observing consumer trends and tastes is essential in offering our guests the most exciting, creative and comprehensive range of wines, craft beers and fine spirits possible.
In general we are seeing modern drinks enthusiasts increasingly fascinated by sherry and more keen than ever to understand and appreciate the origins of the wines they select; a greater knowledge of the wine and the work which has gone into the creation of the bottle they take off the shelf simply enhances the ability to appreciate nuance and to get more enjoyment out of the wine. With the current surge of interest for trend-led subjects such as the various different interpretations of ‘natural’ wine or the production of craft beer, en rama sherry offers something of a similar specialism and uniqueness for committed food and drink enthusiasts in constant search of seasonality, rarity and wines which display a sense of authenticity.
The increase in commercial distribution and communications initiatives surrounding sherry released in an en rama style is helping retailers attract fresh interest to a wine which many UK consumers often simply don't understand and regularly assume is only available as a sweeter product - therefore missing out on the full spectrum of one of the world's greatest wines and its inspirational role in progressive food culture.
Whether en rama as a concept, with all the romanticism of its authenticity and temporary nature, attracts new audiences to the subject or offers the existing sherry fanatic the opportunity to try wines in such a refreshingly raw style, it’s a positive innovation in the industry which can only be a move in the right direction - if you can really call something of such beautiful raw simplicity an innovation.
Either way, with its delicious versatility as an aperitif ,or its role within a wider gastronomic context, anything the drinks industry can do to further develop public interest in this magnificent wine to alter the perceptions of those who still view sherry with the misunderstandings of the past can only be a great thing!
At hangingditch we have a unique and relaxed environment operating as a specialist wine retailer but also as a very busy bar with a large summer terrace. This summer there is nothing we would rather be sharing with our guests on the terrace than a super fresh bottle of chilled sherry from our collection and with the 2016 season of en rama releases rapidly approaching its a perfect time to take a fresh look at all that is great about the world's most intriguing family of wines.
Nathan Sherwood, hangingditch, Manchester, UK.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of El Consejo Regulador.
