Sherry is the first and oldest do (denomination of origin) in Spain and was founded in 1933, but this drink was produced in Spain for over 3000 years!
Sherry’s wines can only come from Sherry, and more specifically the three cities that produce cities of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. This is similar to how champagne can only come from the Champagne region in France.
All Sherry wines share three features: they are fortified With a higher alcohol spirit, aged (Even the younger Sherries are at least two years of aging) and mixture. Unlike most wines that proudly wear their year of collection in the bottle, most of the Sherries are not vintage.
Sherry wines range from the driest wines in the world to the sweetest. They can combine almost anything. Difficult combinations (like artichokes) can also work with the right style of Sherry.
Until you tried the entire range of Sherry wines, please don’t tell me you don’t like Sherry. I was known to convert many doubtful with a glass of Amontillado!
The driest wines of all Sherry, Manzanilla is produced exclusively in the small town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The wine ages below Flor (A layer of yeast that protects wine from oxidation) and often has a saline quality, perhaps from the salted air of the sea that permeates the city’s bodegas of the city.
Barbadillo cancer It is one of the oldest and most famous Bodegas of Sanlucar. Founded in 1821, it is one of the ten most ancient family -run activities in all of Spain! Their excellent Manzanilla is their pride and joy, and Bodegas Barbadillo Manzanilla Solear won the Wine Spectator prize for the best Manzanilla in the world in 2015, as well as the Guía Peñin prize for the best cellar in the world!
Tasting notes: This wine is dry bone, with aromas of yeast, almonds and citrus fruits. On the palate, it is saline and slightly rich solution, with the citrus zest and the green apple.
Manzanilla is so versatile that I find a challenge to develop a mating! In a perfect meal, I simply coupled this Manzanilla with the delightful Tapas of Sanlucar-Tortillita di Tortillitas of Camarones, the boiled shrimp served cold with sea salt, olives marinated salt with garlic and perhaps a couple of local oysters.
Sherry’s fantastic thing is that once opened, it can last in the fridge longer than the medium wine of the table. Depending on the style of the Sherry (it lasts longer the Sherries), you usually you can keep an open bottle for a week and a couple of months.
