Spanish After Dinner Liqueurs

A digestif after dinner is a tradtion in Spain. Whether taken in a resturant or simply at home,  a little glass of  a favoutite liqueur is a popular after dinner treat.  Often poured over ice, these liqueurs are sipped to aid digestion of the meal and often accomapnied with lively animated conversation.

 Many are infused with herbs, fruits and spices resulting in a wide variety of flavours. Probably one of the most famous is Ponche, in its distinctive mirrored silver bottle, this fruity liqueur is enjoyed all over Spain by natives and tourists alike.  Orujo De Hierbas, the minty tasting herb liqueur is also popular as are the sweet sloe infused Pacharan and the delicious aniseed flavoured Anise.

Sherry, a whole new world of flavour

Sherry has, in the past been given a bit of bad press, and you could be forgiven for thinking that it is only reserved for putting in the trifle or getting your Nan drunk on Christmas Day! If this is your attitude, maybe you should read on....

Made in the south of Spain, sherry comes in many different guises from bone dry to intoxicatingly sweet.  Here is a little insight into the main types;

Fino Sherry is pale in colour with a bone dry nutty tang and notes of of citrus and apple. This is amazing served chilled with tapas, olives or some marcona almonds

Manzanilla sherry is made near the sea where the salty air gives a distinctive tang to this bone dry pale sherry. Again, best served chilled, this goes well with taps, ham and seafood.

Amontillado sherry is  amber in colour with a semi-dry flavour with hints of hazelnut and almond. Best served at cool room temperature this goes beautifully with cheese, fish and white meats.

Oloroso sherry is amber in colour and smi dry with an intense complex flavour and notes of caramel and chocolate. Ideal served with cheese and red meats.

Pedro Ximenez is deliciously rich and sweet with a dark mahogany colour.  Lovely with strong cheeses such as the blue Valdeon, this also goes well with deserts and chocolate.

Sherry is becoming a popular drink in the UK and rightly so.  Maybe next time you fancy some tapas, give one of these a try. We stock them all in the shop and we will be happy to advise you. You won't be disappointed!

Spanish Cider

If you fancy a refreshing change from the usual British Cider, why not give the famous Spanish "Sidra" a try?
Produced in Asturias in the north of Spain, these ciders offer a refreshing change from beer or wine and they go really well with Tapas or a meal.
There are two kinds of Sidra, The natural still version and the Sparkling "Champagne version"  Each with its own special charicteristics and flavour. Both are presented in generous 700ml bottles - great for sharing!

The natural still cider is a little cloudy with a dry, tart apple flavour and great tannin finish.  It is traditionally poured a little at a time, from a great height into the glass to introduce air and bring out the complex flavours and aromas of the drink.  The glass is topped up regularly until the bottle is finished.  In Asturias,  it is generally served in a "Sideria" or cider bar, where the barmen are very skilled at pouring.

The second type of Asurian Cider is known as "Champanada" due to the way in which the cider is fermented in the bottle and topped with a cork just like Champagne.  This is lighter both in colour and flavour than the still cider but still retains fantastic dry, apple kick and delicate sparkle.  This also comes in a generous 700ml bottle.  We love to serve this with some good artesan made manchego cheese!

Next time you fancy a change, why not give one of these a try?
We have them both in stock at the shop and available also on line.