El Gato Negro, Flok, Evuna and Tapeo are all merry for sherry this week
THE fourth International Sherry Week (6-12 November) is now well underway. To celebrate the versatility of these historic fortified wines, bars and restaurants in over 25 countries are putting on a multitude of Sherry tastings and special pairing menus throughout the week.
Manchester is getting fully involved, of course.
One clever Sherry devotee has even devised a special Sherrylink map to help people get round as many events as possible, without having to worry about drinking and driving. Marc Hough, who owns Cork of the North, the independent wine merchants in Sale, came up with the idea of creating a route across the city based on the city’s Metrolink network, during an industry Sherry dinner last year.
“Sherry still has this stuffy image,” Marc told us, “which is unfair as it’s a fantastic drink, especially with food.
“During International Sherry Week, people can perhaps start in Altrincham for a Fino at Reserve in Altrincham Market, then get the Metrolink to Corks Out in Timperley for a Manzanilla. After that, they could get back on the tram to visit us in Sale for an Oloroso, before rounding things off with a bit of Pedro Ximenez, or black gold, somewhere in the city centre.”
Below Confidential has picked four of this week’s best Sherry events and offers taking place in the city centre:
El Gato Negro
El Gato stocks a range of fifteen Sherries and dessert wines, but has picked out a special trio of perfect Sherry and food pairings for Sherry week:
Equipo Navazos, ‘I Think’ Manzanilla En Rama 2017, Sanlúcar de Barrameda (£6 per glass / £28 per bottle) - boasting fresh aromatics, a signature salty tang, plenty of acidity and a little lemon twist, El Gato Negro recommends pairing this with anchovy fillets on crostini, or charcuterie dishes.
Emilio Lustau ‘Don Nuño’ Oloroso, (£45 a bottle) - a complex and intense sherry, aged for twelve years in the bodegas of Jerez. Dark chocolate and walnuts on the nose, this well balanced sherry goes perfectly with the rich and deep umami flavours of braised ox cheek with horseradish mash, baby onions, button mushrooms and pancetta.
Emilio Lustau Moscatel Emilin, Solera Familiar (£7 per glass / £55 per bottle) has been made from the less common Moscatel grape and aged in American oak for eight years. It has a deep colour with intense floral aromas; figs, raisins and walnuts. Full-bodied and sweet it’s a perfect dessert wine to match sweet and fruity dishes such as raspberry, white chocolate and lemon macaroons.
Flok
Flok specialises in Sherry and even the Managing Director of Gonzales Byass/Tio Pepe has recognised them as one of the UKs leading Sherry bars in the North. This week they will be showcasing their poison of choice through a series of offers, samples, giveaways and special events. Watch out for specific details of deals on their social media including 10% off Sherry by the glass, 20% off bottles and 10% off Sherry flights.
They will also be hosting a Valdespino vertical tasting and lunch on Thursday, aimed at mainly at industry professionals, but there will be a few places available for general sherry enthusiasts. The tasting will be advanced level going through different vintages from the Valdespino range. They will also be hosting special vintage sherry tastings at 12pm every day of Sherry Week.
Evuna
Even are offering a special sherry flight of three different types of Sherries with some salted Spanish almonds to nibble on for £9. Each wine is matched with certain food groups; If it swims, they recommend a Fino Manzanilla; if it flies, pair it with an Amontillado Palo Cortado; and if it runs, an Oloroso.
The Sherry flight will be available at all three Evuna locations; Deansgate, the Northern Quarter and Knutsford (which is the only one not included on the Sherrylink map.)
Tapeo and Wine
Tapeo are so proud of their Sherry offering – and their extensive range of drink friendly tapas - that they will be offering a whopping 50% off all glasses of Sherry until 12 November. These range from the crisp and dry Micaela Manzanilla to the more complex Palo Cortado Monteagudo and the sweetly dense Pedro Ximenez.
