Spain's Great Match NYC 2015

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry was on hand to offer twelve sherries by the glass for guests to experience the wide variety of Sherry styles.  As an added bonus, there were two cocktails, a Sherry Cobbler and a Bamboo, served to show the versatility and range of Sherry within cocktails.

César Saldaña, General Director of the Jerez Control Board, presented an unforgettable Sherry tasting that took participants through the magic of Sherry from the bone dry Manzanillas to the magnificently sweet Pedro Ximénez which, as César put it, “speak for themselves”.  That being said, César’s guidance was, as always, quite the bonus.

He began by describing the magic of the Sherry triangle, its climate, and Albariza soil and stated the poignant,

the way [Jerez] make wines is just... different.

As he presented on the differences between biological and oxidative aging, we followed along through taste - beginning with Manzanillas and Finos and transitioning into Amontillado, Palo Cortado, and Olorosos experiencing the ever increasing concentration of acidity, alcohol, and glycerol.  We completed the circle with the sweeter variety with a Cream and finally a Pedro Ximénez, leaving us satiated.

It is worth a special note highlighting that this tasting had an extraordinarily special wine included in the program generously poured by Justin Berlin.  Mr. Berlin found the Agustín Blázquez, now closed, Carta Blanca Fino in a private cellar in the north of Spain and while we do not know the exact date of its bottling, this Fino has been in bottle for at least 30 years.  This is quite an exceptional lifetime for a Fino and an incredible treat and opportunity to dispel a few myths.