Port in summer is a sherry good idea, Madeiras!
FORTIFIED wines are not just for Christmas! Sherry, port and Madeira all deliver year-round deliciousness and serious summer splendour at Smith Towers. But with such heady booze content, how is this possible?
Blending cocktails is the easiest introduction. I first came across southern Spain’s Rebujito while dancing at the Feria in Jerez. Simple to make: grab a bottle of Tio Pepe sherry, half-fill a jug packed with ice and fresh mint, top up with lemonade or Sprite and you’ve got the fastest, tastiest cocktail in the world.
And if it’s elegance you’re after, try a white port and tonic. Treat it in exactly the same way as you would a G&T, with white port instead of gin. Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port (20%) is available in Waitrose for £13.29.
I’ve found a stunning new tonic called Fierce Botanics Apothecary Tonic No 1, which has the colour of a pale sunset and tastes just fabulous – bright and bitter in the perfect proportions and tastes great on its own for an alcoholfree drink over ice with a sprig of mint (£3.50, fiercebotanics.com).
Back to booze, and Madeira is wonderful served chilled in small summery doses (three- to tenyear-olds in particular) and Chris Blandy of Blandy’s shared this Madeira On Ice recipe – 5cl Madeira Duke of Clarence, 15cl lemonade, 3cl lime concentrate topped off with slices of orange and lemon over ice. Perfection.
As for port, it’s tawny all the way, served chilled with salted almonds as an aperitif or sundowner – such an easy summer drink: just leave it in the fridge until ready to serve.
But it’s fino sherry and manzanilla that are the lightest and most refreshing fortified treats to serve chilled with savoury nibbles from shellfish to jamón and green olives.
At the other end of the scale, sweet PX sherry is an indulgent summery delight poured over vanilla ice cream for a naughty pud, or for the connoisseur, how about the lesser-known Pineau de Charentes? More or less cognac diluted with grape juice and a highly forgiving ingredient for late-night cocktail improvisations on visits to Smith Towers!