Cocktail culture in Vancouver has been around for a few years now, but I think it slows down in the summer and picks up in the fall and winter. As we are slowly transitioning from summer to fall weather, I thought we could get into some simple cocktails to make and enjoy using sherry. Have you ever made cocktails using sherry as the base? The Spanish winery, Bodegas Alvear, has a long history of making sherry, starting in 1729. Let me tell you about two styles of sherry (Fino and Amontillado) from Alvear and then give you a few cocktail recipes using these sherries.
Fino and Amontillado Sherry
What are these two different styles of sherry? Fino is the lightest and driest of sherries. For Alvear it is made from the Pedro Ximénez grape that has been aged under “flor” for more than 6 years in American oak casks, using a traditional Solera system. There is a lot to understand here for newcomers to sherry. Fino sherry is formed from the growth of flor, a local natural yeast, covering the wine in barrel, blocking oxygen from interacting with the base wine. Flor consumes alcohol, dissolved oxygen, sugar and glycerine. It can have a nutty flavour and a hint of olive brine.
Amontillado sherry is an aged Fino that has lost its flor and developed oxidatively, turning an amber colour. It has a nutty flavour and is sweeter and softer than a Fino. Oxidative aging enriches its aromatic profile and adds more depth and nuanced flavours. This wine is also made by Alvear using the Pedro Ximénez grape.
How Do These Sherries Taste?
Both sherries should be served chilled. The Fino can be chilled more than the Amontillado.
Bodegas Alvear Fino Sherry (14.5% alc, BC $28.99) – It has a clear, medium-intensity lemon colour in the glass. Medium-plus intensity aromas of nuttiness (almonds), saline, floral, flor, and caramel. Bone-dry, medium body with a smooth, soft, thicker mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Saline, light toasted nuttiness, with a touch of bitter woodiness. Medium-plus length finishing dry with the woodiness prominent.
With the saline character of this wine, olives or Spanish-style ham would be nice pairings. I’ve also enjoyed Fino sherry with mixed nuts.
Bodegas Alvear Amontillado Sherry (17% alc, BC $28.99) – Clear, medium-plus intensity amber colour. Medium-intensity aromas of toasted nuts, caramel, and toffee. Dry with a medium to medium-plus body and a round, soft, thicker mouthfeel. Brown sugar, on the palate, along with touches of pepperiness, woodiness, and baking spices. Medium to medium-plus length with a dry finish, brown sugar and woody flavours, plus some tartness on the finish.
I would try pairing this sherry with a mushroom risotto on the savoury side, but with the sweet spice and brown sugar flavours, I would also give this a try with some desserts like a nut mousse or a hazelnut cake.
A Few Sherry-Based Cocktails
These cocktail recipes came from Alvear. I tried a few of them and included pictures below.
Armour Cocktail
1 3/4 oz ALVEAR FINO
1 oz sweet vermouth
Pour the sherry and vermouth into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.
Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve.
I did not have a lemon twist, so I added a few drops of lemon juice to add a citrus edge. The result is a cocktail with a soft feel. The fino sherry still is the strongest component. Easy to enjoy.
Bamboo Cocktail
1 oz ALVEAR FINO
1 oz dry vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
Stir in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
Rebujito
1 oz ALVEAR FINO
2 oz lemon-lime soda
mint leaves
Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.
I followed the instructions, but the stirring did not bring out the mintiness, so I muddled the leaves, and it helped bring out the flavour in this cocktail. I also like the bubbles from the soda in this cocktail.
Lemon Cocktail
3 oz ALVEAR AMONTILLADO
2 oz lemon juice
1 oz orange juice
1 tsp honey
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice.
Shake well, and strain into a highball glass.
Garnish with a lemon or orange slice, and serve.
This cocktail has the background of brown sugar and foreground of citrus, plus tartness with a hint of sweetness from the honey. Refreshing and bright flavours.
Cobbler
3 oz ALVEAR AMONTILLADO
1/3 oz triple sec
2 oz soda water
1/4 oz sugar syrup
Pour into a wine goblet filled with broken ice and mix.
Garnish with in-season fruit, add straws, and serve.
Balm Cocktail
2 oz ALVEAR AMONTILLADO
3/4 oz fresh orange juice
1/2 oz Cointreau® orange liqueur
2 dashes Angostura® bitters
2 slices oranges
Mix all ingredients with the orange slices and shake well with ice.
Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with flamed orange peel, and serve.
One thing I like about these cocktails is that the sherries are 14.5% and 17%, not 40% like vodka, gin, or whisky for cocktails, so you can sip and enjoy without worrying about getting overly tipsy.
Where Can I Buy These Sherries?
A whole range of sherries by Bodegas Alvear can be purchased at BC Liquor stores and at Everything Wine stores.
