Monday found me nosing my way through Bond Street’s Westbury Hotel at the 2013 Great Sherry Tasting. With nearly 200 sherries from more than 30 producer, the event was claimed to be the world’s largest.
A highlight of the tasting for me was a chance to sit in on a Traditional Aging seminar hosted by Beltran Domecq, President of the Consejo Regulador de las DD.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Manzanilla de Sanlucar y Vinagre de Jerez. That’s a mouthful, as were many of the gorgeous sherries I had the pleasure to sample that day.
During the seminar, there was a brief moment when I thought I’d died and gone to sensory overload heaven. I so was bowled over by the intriguing aroma and fascinating flavour of Bodegas Tradicion’s Oloroso VORS 30 year old – nose and palate notes read something like “corn tortillas … jamon serrano … fried doughnuts in a wooden box … with a strawberry start and a bitter end”. I’m pleased to report it’s pretty easy to come by here in the UK.
Wish you’d been there? There might still be a chance to get in on some London Sherry fun before October ends: sherryfestival.co.uk.
