Sherry Week Events at Taberna de Haro & Wine Press

Sherry, that delicious and fascinating fortified wine from the Jerez region of Spain, has a special place in my heart. I've written over 40 articles that touch on Sherry, most collected in All About Sherry, including a five-part history of Sherry, food pairings (including Thanksgiving), Aged Sherry, reviews, and more. Sherry isn't appreciated sufficiently in the U.S., and you still can find some amazing values for aged Sherry. You should explore Sherry and learn to understand its nature and allure.

Next week, from November 6-12, you'll have that opportunity as it is International Sherry Week. Special Sherry events are being held all across the world and there are two local spots, both in Brookline, which are hosting events. I strongly encourage you to attend at least one Sherry event, and hope that you might attend even more than one.

The Wine Press, located at 1024 Beacon Street, Brookline, will host a Sherry seminar with Gonzalez Byass, a 5th generation family winery that was founded in 1835. Back in 2010, I visited Gonzalez Byass, and got to experience a number of their delicious and impressive Sherries. The winery also has many interesting stories to tell so attending this seminar should be a great time.

The seminar will give you a history of their winery, as well as the Jerez region, plus will teach you all about Sherry.  This will be a classroom setting with a guided tasting and light pairings. You might taste Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado and Pedro Ximinez. And you'll learn how these Sherries pair with various foods.

The seminar cost $10 per person and you can purchase tickets through Eventbrite. There will be two hour-long seminars, one at 5:30pm and the other at 6:30pm. Each attendant will also receive at $10 gift card to The Wine Press, and I bet you'll want to buy some Sherry once you complete this seminar.

Note: You must be 21 years of age to attend

Unsurprisingly, Taberna de Haro, which provides great support to Sherry year-round, is hosting numerous Sherry events for International Sherry Week. Taberna de Haro has the largest Sherry selection in the Boston area and it is always a pleasure to see what new Sherries they have to offer. And next week, their passion for Sherry will be even more evident.

First, all week long they will have: 
--Additional craft Sherry cocktails, beyond the usual deep selection
--Sherry Pairings both by the glass and by the bottle
--Sherry Flights
--And 20% off full-bottles of Sherry

Second, on Monday, November 6, they will host Industry Night Party, where you can bring a bottle of sherry to Taberna (optional) to enjoy with friends and colleagues. Tapas and lots more sherry will be available, as well the week’s special Sherry Cocktails and Flights.

Third, on Tuesday, November 7, they will host a tasting, “I’ll Make You a Sherry Lover in 6 Glasses or Less.” For those who think sherry is all sweet and cheap or just not their cup of tea, Chef Deborah Hansen believes she can change your mind. She'll serve 6 perfectly approachable sherries paired with traditional tapas.
The cost is $60 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and please call 617-277-8272, in the evening, to pre-pay and reserve.

Fourth, on Wednesday, November 8, they will offer a tasting, “So You Think You Might Be Obsessed with Sherry. This will be a "support group" and provocative tasting to fuel your obsession.  Deborah will 6 high-end sherries with traditional and creative tapas.
The cost is $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and please call 617-277-8272, in the evening, to pre-pay and reserve.

Fifth, on Thursday, November 9, they will pair Manzanillas and Oysters. You will get 6 complimentary oysters with every bottle of Manzanilla Sherry you purchase. Experience the ocean in a whole new way.

Sixth, on Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11, there will be a Sherry Flow-Through.
Drink various sherries all through your meal - like they do in Jerez - and get a beautiful sherry poster.

Drink More Sherry!