On 9th July 2010, the beautiful old pub “the Punter” in Cambridge hosted a special event called “The Fino Countdown”. Reason for this was González Byass’ newest product – the unfiltered Fino Sherry “En Rama”, launched to celebrate the company’s 175th anniversary. Only a very small quantity was produced and Cambridge Wine Merchants were lucky to receive their fair share of this rare gem which has to be consumed within three months of purchase – it really is that fresh!
With support from González Byass and the Sherry Institute of Spain, Cambridge Wine Merchants were able to organise an outstanding event. Fourty guests enjoyed a range of Tio Pepe and González Byass Sherries alongside a wide selection of incredibly delicious tapas. The choice was ranging from black rice pea and crayfish paella balls to slow roast paprika pork with peppers and Serrano ham, to pigeon with pomeganate molasses, and much more. We started with the “Spanish version of Pimm’s” – Tio Pepe Fino with Sprite. Unusual, but nevertheless very refreshing.The second Sherry was naturally the En Rama – an excellent example for an unfiltered Sherry, very full-flavoured and simply lovely. We then went on to taste the “Vina AB Amontillado” and the “Alfonso Oloroso Seco” before arriving at the dessert, which again was something very special: A “chocolate board” with big bricks of dark, extra dark and milk chocolate and a knife to crack off some pieces. The boards went around the tables, which made the dessert round very sociable. An excellent choice for a dessert and a perfect match for the “Nectar Pedro Ximenez”, a sweet Sherry and needless to say one of the best and most scrumptious of its kind – rich, nutty, with aromas of dried figs, dates and caramel. A real treat.
Lyndsey Spellman, one of the directors of Cambridge Wine Merchants and responsible for the event which was her idea and had arisen when visiting the famous “Sherry Feria” in Jerez last month, says about the event: “Being a huge fan of Sherry and especially the Gonzalez Byass range,
I have been wanting to organise a Sherry dinner for a long time. I believe that Sherry is still somewhat underestimated in the UK and seen by the younger generation as something that is normally drunk on Christmas Eve by grannies. We wanted to show our guests that Sherry is in fact a very versatile wine that comes in all different grades of sweetness- it doesn’t necessarily have to be warm and sweet. In fact, people in Spain usually drink it ice-cold and it’s their “everyday wine”, especially in the South where it’s being produced.
“I think we did a really good job and let our customers learn something new while at the same time they were enjoying themselves and having fun. I’d say the event was a huge success and I am looking forward to organising many more tastings in the future, to offer something exceptional to our customers.”
