Spain's Great Match NYC 2015

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry was on hand to offer twelve sherries by the glass for guests to experience the wide variety of Sherry styles.  As an added bonus, there were two cocktails, a Sherry Cobbler and a Bamboo, served to show the versatility and range of Sherry within cocktails.

César Saldaña, General Director of the Jerez Control Board, presented an unforgettable Sherry tasting that took participants through the magic of Sherry from the bone dry Manzanillas to the magnificently sweet Pedro Ximénez which, as César put it, “speak for themselves”.  That being said, César’s guidance was, as always, quite the bonus.

He began by describing the magic of the Sherry triangle, its climate, and Albariza soil and stated the poignant,

the way [Jerez] make wines is just... different.

As he presented on the differences between biological and oxidative aging, we followed along through taste - beginning with Manzanillas and Finos and transitioning into Amontillado, Palo Cortado, and Olorosos experiencing the ever increasing concentration of acidity, alcohol, and glycerol.  We completed the circle with the sweeter variety with a Cream and finally a Pedro Ximénez, leaving us satiated.

It is worth a special note highlighting that this tasting had an extraordinarily special wine included in the program generously poured by Justin Berlin.  Mr. Berlin found the Agustín Blázquez, now closed, Carta Blanca Fino in a private cellar in the north of Spain and while we do not know the exact date of its bottling, this Fino has been in bottle for at least 30 years.  This is quite an exceptional lifetime for a Fino and an incredible treat and opportunity to dispel a few myths.  

The Sherry that was served at the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry table included:

1. Inocente Fino, Valdespino, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
2. Don Zoilo Fino, Williams & Humbert, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
3. La Guita Manzanilla, Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín, D.O. Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
4. Solear en Rama Manzanilla, Barbadillo, D.O. Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
5. Viña AB Amontillado, Gonzalez Byass, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
6. Napoleón Amontillado, Hidalgo La Gitana, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
7. Don Nuño Oloroso, Lustau, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
8. Obispo Gascón Palo Cortado, Barbadillo, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
9. Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS, Williams & Humbert, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
10. East India, Lustau, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
11. Royal Ambrosante Pedro Ximénez VOS, Sandeman, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
12. Noé Pedro Ximénez VORS, González Byass, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

 

The Sherry served during César’s presentation included (in order):

1. Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana Manzanilla, D.O. Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
2. Emilio Hidalgo, La Panesa Fino, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
3. Agustín Blázquez, Carta Blanca Fino, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
4. Williams & Humbert, Jalifa Amontillado VORS, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
5. Barbadillo, Obispo Gascón Palo Cortado, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
6. Tradición Oloroso VORS, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry 
7. González Byass, Matusalem Oloroso, VORS DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
8. Lustau, Pedro Ximénez VOS, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of El Consejo Regulador.

Author Sherry Wines U.S.

Official US office representing Sherry Wines. Love Sherry? Us too. Local news, tastings, cocktails & food, everything is better with Sherry, Salúd!