Sherry Wine News

The Results of the 2016 U.S. Copa Jerez Competition

Congratulations to our newest U.S. Copa Jerez Champions!

The 7th U.S. Copa Jerez Competition finals were held on December 6th at Distilled NY in New York City, and Chef Flannery Klette-Kolton and Sommelier Kerin Auth of Enrama in New York City won the opportunity to represent the United States at the International Copa Jerez Competition in Spain next year!

Their overall winning menu was:

Starter Course: Long Island Bay Scallop Crudo with orange, sesame semolina breadcrumbs, dill oil, Aleppo, pickled ramps & herbs paired with Lustau Fino del Puerto En Rama (2014)
Main Course: Kombucha Braised Coffee Rubbed Shortribs with bruleed pumpkin souffle, mustard greens, walnut oil, pomegranate jus paired with Tradición Amontillado VORS
Dessert Course: Whipped Moscatel Eggnog Anglaise and Texas Peanut Butter Cake with ginger-orange cranberries, sparkling cranberries paired with Valdespino Promesa Moscatel

Starter Course: Long Island Bay Scallop Crudo with orange, sesame semolina breadcrumbs, dill oil, Aleppo, pickled ramps & herbs paired with Lustau Fino del Puerto En Rama (2014) 1 of 8

Main Course: Kombucha Braised Coffee Rubbed Shortribs, bruleed pumpkin souffle, mustard greens, walnut oil, pomegranate jus paired with Tradición Amontillado VORS 2 of 8

Dessert Course: Whipped Moscatel Eggnog Anglaise, Texas peanut butter cake, ginger-orange cranberries, sparkling cranberries paired with Valdespino Promesa Moscatel 3 of 8

Judges Steve Olson and Ian Adams, Kerin Auth and Flannery Klette-Kolton of team Enrama, and judges Doug Frost and Michael Weiss 4 of 8

Chef Flannery prepping her first course 5 of 8

Chef Flannery giving the main course one last look 6 of 8

A finishing touch for dessert and it's ready for the judges 7 of 8

Team Enrama presenting to the judges 8 of 8

Competition was unbelievably fierce, as Flannery Klette-Kolton and Kerin Auth competed against two incredible teams — Ezra Star and Ashley Gaboriault of Drink Boston, Boston, MA; and Brendan Spiro and Erik Ramirez of Llama Inn, Brooklyn, NY. The following awards were given:

Best Starter Course: Llama Inn with their Gooseberry Tiradito with sea bream, leche de tigre, gooseberries, toasted black sesame seeds, candied ginger threads, Peruvian black mint (huacatay), amaranth, mint oil paired with Hidalgo-La Gitana Manzanilla En Rama
Best Main Course: Enrama with their Kombucha Braised Coffee Rubbed Shortribs, bruleed pumpkin souffle, mustard greens, walnut oil, pomegranate jus paired with Tradición Amontillado VORS
Best Dessert Course: Drink Boston with their “Ice Cream Sunday” with mango ice cream, almond waffle cone, honey, strawberry gel paired with Cesar Florido Moscatel Especial
Most Creative Menu: Drink Boston for their incredible, playful menu focused exclusively on bites to be eaten with your hands
Best Sommelier: Kerin Auth of Enrama in New York City
Best Chef: Erik Ramirez of Llama Inn in Brooklyn

The finalists presented their dishes and pairings with detailed justifications for the match to our distinguished panel of judges — Ian Adams, winner of the top prize Best Overall Menu and Best Sommelier in the World at the 2015 International Copa Jerez Competition; Doug Frost, MS MW, Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR)®, and Judge, International Copa Jerez Competition 2007 and 2013; Michael Weiss, Culinary Institute of America, and Judge, International Copa Jerez Competition 2015; and Steve Olson, aka wine geek.

The Copa Jerez Competition is an international competition featuring the top chefs and sommeliers from Europe, Asia, and North America, each team commissioned with choosing the ultimate match of Vinos de Jerez with food. It was created to showcase the incredible diversity of Sherry wine, and its remarkable ability to match with food.

All photos credited to Iñaki Vinaixa Photography.

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