As part of the work we're doing to support and promote fortified wines in the UK despite having to cancel the Big Fortified Tasting this year, we've been arranging a series of tutored tastings. Many people from TPF took part in the first two Quevedo tastings on May 7 and May 8.
I'm delighted to announce our next tasting. This is a tasting of a range of 6 different wines from Sherry, Manzanilla and Montilla Moriles where each wine has been carefully chosen to allow a comparison against others. 3 of the wines are reductively matured and 3 are oxidatively matured allowing a comparison of the two styles. 2 are Manzanilla wines from the Palamino grape, but matured for different lengths of time. 1 is a sweet 1994 vintage Pedro Ximénez while 1 is a dry fino style Pedro Ximénez. The wines also include a Palo Cortado, which is a top of the range Sherry having been carefully selected before following the path to become a Palo Cortado.
Sarah Jane Evans is a Master of Wine and has incredible knowledge of the wines of Spain. She is also an entertaining speaker as any of you who have had the benefit of watching her presentations as part of the 67 Pall Mall tastings will know. Sarah Jane will be leading a live and interactive YouTube tasting of the wines, at 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd July. The tasting will cover the wines comparing and contrasting the styles, ages, production and maturation approaches taken for each type of wine and by each producer.
The wines being tasted are:
- Manzanilla La Guita from José Estévez (20cl)
- Manzanilla Solear from Bodegas Barbadillo (37.5cl)
- Fino C.B. from Bodegas Alvear in Montilla Moriles (37.5cl)
- Don Zoilo Collecíon 12 Year Old Oloroso from Bodegas Williams & Humbert (37.5cl)
- Palo Cortado Península from Emilio Lustau (37.5cl)
- 1994 Pedro Ximénez from Toro Albalá in Montilla Moriles (25cl)
The aim of the tasting is to appeal to both the newcomer to Sherry who is trying to understand the difference between a fino and an oloroso style while at the same time appealing to the more experienced Sherry drinker by including some top grade wines such as a 1994 vintage Pedro Ximénez and a Palo Cortado. With the easing of lockdown, you can now share a tasting pack with a friend and spread the Sherry word even further.
Sarah Jane's presentation will also cover food pairings. Until I was speaking with her to plan this tasting I had never even considered Sherry to accompany a spicy curry, but it really works!