RAISE A GLASS
THE other day I thought of packing a picnic for me and the dog and then the rain lashed down. We stayed in and ate ham and crisp butties. I’m nothing if not classy. Then, by coincidence, Sherry Wines UK (sherry.wine) sent me ideas for a sherry picnic, to mark their Sherry Festival (which runs until Sunday).
Sherry is not a one-trick pony. Don’t think of it as a glass of something creamy and sweet to give Auntie Bessie on Christmas Day (sorry if I’ve patronised those of you who know better).
Sherry is a perfect drink for outdoor summer eating. Here’s a selection for your picnic table:
Inocente Single Vineyard Fino Sherry (£14.50, rudewines. co.uk, 15% abv): According to the Sherry Wines website, a classic fino “has the extraordinary ability to stimulate tastebuds”. Inocente is a special fino in that, unlike many other finos, its grapes are from a single vineyard and are barrel fermented. It is dry, it is tangy, it has a tingle of salty olives, it is savoury but zesty and is spot-on with seafood.
Sacristia Manzanilla En Rama 2015 Release Primera Saca 2014 (£13.56, laywheeler.com, 15% abv): Manzanilla is produced exclusively in the bodegas of Sanlúcar de Barrameda near the sea. The term “en rama” means “raw” which indicates that filtering technology has been kept to a minimum and the sherry has a more natural taste. Mmm I loved this wine, it has aromas of the sea, salty, tense and windy-wild yet laced with citrus; the flavour was light, spicy, dry, yeasty with notes of green olives.
Cayetano del Pino Palo Cortado Solera (£14.95, winesociety.com, or £11.49, waitrosecellar.com, 20%
abv): Palo cortado sherry is one of the rarest forms of sherries, created because nature has decided the sherry isn’t going to develop as a fino and takes it down another route. This is a pale tawny colour, has aromas of smoke, bitter orange and dried fruits and when sipped with a handful of smooth white almonds, its complex flavour bursts with nutty promise.
Check if there are festival events near you at sherry.wine/sherry-festival. Follow @SherryWinesUK or check #SherryfestivalUK on Twitter.
Also in my glass… It’s Father’s Day this weekend and I’ll say one word. Beer. Right now there’s a beer festival at the majority of Aldi stores with everything from caramel flavoured treats through to fruity brews at £1.29 per 500ml bottle (the festival continues while stocks last).
Elsewhere, importer Pierhead Ltd has brought together a selection of worldwide award-winning beers. I enjoyed Phuket Lager (5% abv) a Thai beer brewed with German hops and Thai Jasmine rice. It was crisp, refreshing, fragrant and exactly what I needed as the sun said peekaboo.
Then there’s Moosehead Lager (5% abv). Well I do like my lager. Moosehead is Canada’s oldest brewery and I’m told this delivers notes of creamy, sweet potatoes (I didn’t get that) however it was smooth and gently hoppy. Both beers are available online (by the case) at Beers of Europe and TheDrinkShop.com