Keep it sweet
Sam Wylie- Harris rounds up a sweet summer case of sherry, port, vermouth and liqueur
Flavour is a funny thing. No matter how devoted we are to our favourite glass of vino, come summertime and the heat of the day, the depth of flavour can be slightly under par – purely because the fruit isn’t edgy enough, or the grippy tannins don’t have quite enough verve.
What we’re after in these moments is something enriched or fortified. And with varying levels of abvs, these wines can be tailored to suit our taste; some versatile enough to be mixed in cocktails, others a little bit racy when we feel like going rogue.
Whether you’re after youthful and energetic or something more thoughtprovoking, these top drops channel the southern Mediterranean sunshine and make ace aperitivos...
1. Tesco Finest Fino Sherry, Jerez, Spain, £ 6 for 37.5cl, 15% abv, Tesco
One of the unsung heroes on the grapevine, sherry is made from the palomino grape – and when temperatures soar, there’s nothing quite as thirst- quenching and refreshing as an ice- cold, bone- dry, fino sherry. The quality here is outstanding for such a modest price, and this is a fresh, savoury classic with a lovely yeasty, nutty tang and lasting finish. Serve in a large wine glass with a bowl of almonds or olives. 2. Croft Pink Port, Portugal, currently reduced to £ 8 ( was £ 9) for 50cl, 19.5% abv, Sainsbury’s
A fresh, vibrant, lighter version of traditional red port, pink port is pitch perfect for summertime drinking. Full of deliciously ripe red fruits, Croft Pink makes a brilliant base for cocktails, can be served chilled over ice, or topped with soda for a refreshing spritzer. With appealing floral aromas framed by raspberry fruit and flavours of freshly crushed berries, wild strawberries, cherry and grapefruit accents, it can have a big impact on your cocktail repertoire.
Here’s one to try now...
Bob’s Your Uncle
Ingredients: 60ml Croft Pink, 30ml vodka, ginger ale, squeeze of lime. Method: Half fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the Croft Pink, vodka and ginger ale. Stir slowly and add a squeeze of lime. Garnish with a lime wedge. 3. Domecq Manzanilla, Sanlucar, Spain, £ 10.75 for 75cl, 15% abv, The Whisky Exchange
Another Spanish star, manzanilla is a fino sherry that’s only made in the town of Sanlucar de Barrameda, where the humid, maritime climate shapes the flor ( thick layer of yeast which protects the wine from oxygen and acts as a barrier in the barrel); the wines are softer and more elegant with a wonderful saline character. A delicate style with a veil of yeasty goodness, this hints at apple, honey and almonds, with a characteristic salty tang giving it a strong sense of origin. 4. Vermouth La Copa Blanco, Spain, £ 12.25 for 75cl, 15% abv, The Whisky Exchange
Delicious and wild, this white vermouth is a blend of dry fino sherry and traditional botanicals and projects enticing aromas of wormwood, warm spice, dried herbs, orange peel and nutmeg. Almost a cocktail by its very nature, with such intensity of flavours, this dry( ish) style is potent enough to enjoy on its own served over ice. A slice of lemon really lifts the drink and adds some zesty bite to the herbal finish. 5. Taylors Chip Dry White Port, Portugal, £ 13.99 for 75cl, 20% abv, Waitrose
Like most white ports, this bone- dry or “chip” dry style still has a small sweetness level, and the ripeness of its fruit shows in the honeyed, nutty aromas with a hint of citrusy blossom. Delightfully refreshing as a long drink, the balance of fruit
( think citrus and apricot flavours) tastes unbelievably crisp and invigorating when topped with tonic water – one third Chip Dry to two thirds tonic – and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint and slice of lemon. 6. Amaro Montenegro Liqueur, Italy, approx £ 19.95 for 70cl, 23% abv, Amazon A blinder from Bologna, this bittersweet amber elixir is immediately appetising, partly because its potency is marked by all manner of intriguing flavours. A secret blend of 40 herbs, botanicals and spices, it’s characterised, in a nutshell, by a sweet zestiness and savoury, citrusy, herbal edge. It can be served straight over ice but also makes a strikingly refreshing pick- me up when topped with tonic and garnished with a slice of orange. 7. El Bandarra Al Fresco, Barcelona, Spain, £ 20.95 for 100cl, 14.5% abv, Master of Malt
Meet the new orangey- red bittersweet aperitif from craft vermouth brand, El Bandarra. A glorious coming together of local grenache grapes and Mediterranean botanicals, we also love the popular Spanish tapas emblazoned on the fliptop glass bottle. Refreshing and enticing, the flavours flip- flop from delicate florals balanced by pink grapefruit, to a refreshing, savoury menthol note. The recommended signature serve is one part Al Fresco and two parts tonic over ice, with a slice of orange. 8. Graham’s Blend No 5 White Port, Portugal, £ 21.23 for 75cl, 19% abv, The Drink Shop
A medium dry white port designed to create the perfect P& T ( port and tonic) and a lower ABV alternative to gin. Graham’s No 5 is so pleasantly fruity, floral and downright moreish, don’t be surprised if you decide to forgo the tonic, slice of lemon and sprig of mint. With flavours evocative of pear drops and peaches, with citrus notes and hints of orange blossom, it’s utterly gorgeous and a great reminder white port offers heaps of summertime drinking pleasure.