Wine goes nuts: Manzanilla sherry and marcona almonds
First time here? Check out the "site highlights," send in a question, subscribe to the latest posts by RSS, daily email, or free monthly updates by email (right sidebar). Thanks for visiting!
One of my private tasting clients asked me an unusual question recently: which wine goes with almonds?
The answer was easy: sherry. A much misunderstood wine, it’s not just for sherry hour in the faculty lounge any more–it is distinctive and makes a great aperitif. And probably because of the confusion, it’s also a great deal.
In order to try this out, I bought the Hidalgo La Gitana ($10; find this sherry) and got some marcona almonds. On it’s own, chilled, the sherry is tangy and briney, refreshing and appetizing. But with the marcona almonds from Spain, the whole experience was elevated in one of those classic food-wine pairings that brings out the best in both.
And a little sherry goes a long way; we were able to have three evenings of aperitifs from the same $10 bottle. It may be the ultimate wine for an economic downturn. Pity the almonds were $16.99 a pound.
For more background on sherry, check out Eric Asimov’s recent article in the NYT.
One of the "seven best wine blogs." 
One of the three best wine blogs
On September 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm ,Dr. Debs wrote:
Happiness is cold sherry and almonds after work. Throw in a few olives–bliss. And you’re right, it’s a fantastic bargain!
On September 20th, 2008 at 1:24 pm ,VINTUBA wrote:
Hey Doc,
I could not agree more with you about sherry being one of the must undervalued wines on the market today!
I just recorded a podcast on Sherry and will be posting to my site tomorrow.
Let us keep evangelizing about SHERRY!!!!
Cheers,
ChrisO
On September 21st, 2008 at 9:16 am ,Dylan wrote:
That’s definitely a bargain.
I cannot help but juxtapose this information with the world’s most expensive Sherry: 1775 Sherry ($43,500). I got the information from this list on Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2003/11/19/cx_np_1119feat.html
Makes you feel better about the price of the almonds, doesn’t it?
On September 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm ,Bruni wrote:
True! I have fond memories of a small bar near Puerta del Sol in Madrid, one of those bars where the interior looks more like a living room (which included some cats), where all kind of sherries, from fino to oloroso were served in 1/2 liter bottled from the barrel and served with rather natural green olived stuffed with almonds. A nice pairing for the early evening, which is a relative notion in Spain. I must say I find the La Gitana a bit flat, lacks body and fruit compared with what I’ve had. But for that price one can’t expect much more I guess. Salud!
On September 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Glad you like it! What are some of your faves, everybody?
Yeah, Dylan, I’d have to pair that with some 1775 almonds–but they’re probably frauds!
On September 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 am ,Steve wrote:
My fave is Hildalgo’s Pastrana Pasada Manzanilla - Pasada is a traditional style of Manzanilla that has just begun to oxidize giving it extra layers of complexity but retaining freshness.
On September 22nd, 2008 at 10:28 am ,Sherry at EWBC 2008 and Alvaro Domecq wrote:
[...] Wine goes nuts: Manzanilla sherry and marcona almonds Related PostsThe Delicious Vinagre de Jerez or Spanish Sherry Vinegar Perfect Summer Combination: Manzanilla and Gazpacho! The Source of Pedro Ximenez: D.O. Montilla-Moriles Los Rebujitos: Mixed Drinks Traditionally Savored during the Andalusian Festival, Feria del Caballo Wine Racks, Judging Blogs and an Anti-Oak Rant?? [...]