Sherry cocktails at the tablao

What sherry is

Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes grown around the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Wikipedia explains, mostly from the Palomino grape. Styles range from light ones like Manzanilla and fino to darker, heavier versions that have aged in contact with air, such as Amontillado and oloroso. Sweet dessert wines are made from Pedro Ximénez or Moscatel grapes. The word sherry is an English version of Xérès, the old name of Jerez.

Where it can come from

Under Spanish law and EU rules, a wine sold as sherry in the European Union must come from the Sherry Triangle, Wikipedia says: an area of Cádiz province whose corners are El Puerto de Santa María, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Jerez de la Frontera. The Jerez denomination of origin was the first to be formally recognised in Spain, in 1933. For a flamenco evening, that links your glass to the region where bulerías is said to have begun.

The four styles the venue names

The venue's FAQ says its cocktails use Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez. Wikipedia describes them: Manzanilla is an especially light fino made around Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Amontillado is first aged under a layer of yeast called flor and then exposed to oxygen. Palo Cortado starts like an Amontillado but develops a character closer to oloroso. Pedro Ximénez is the intensely sweet one, made from dried grapes. The range runs from crisp to rich.

Dry is the norm

People often think sherry is sweet. Wikipedia points out that this is a common misconception: because fortification takes place after fermentation, most sherries start dry, and any sweetness is added later. That helps explain why a bartender can use it as a base for a drink without making it syrupy. If you prefer something lighter, ask the bar which cocktail leans on the lighter styles. If you like sweetness, ask for the one built on Pedro Ximénez.

How the bar works

The General ticket includes a cocktail. The venue says its bar serves before and after the performance and pauses during the sixty minutes, so as not to distract from the show, and it recommends arriving early to enjoy a drink while you settle in. Premium and VIP tickets bring central seats and tapas. Anything you want beyond what your option lists is bought at the bar, and the venue publishes a menu of cocktails, wines, spirits and Iberian tapas.

The tapas on the higher tickets

Premium and VIP tickets add tapas, according to the ticket page, and the venue describes gourmet Iberian tapas on its menu. Because it serves both cocktails built on sherry and Iberian tapas from the same bar, the two are easy to pair. The bar pauses during the performance, so the practical advice is to eat and drink before the lights go down, and to ask the team what comes with your option.

If you would rather not drink

A cocktail on the ticket does not oblige you to finish it. If you do not drink alcohol, speak to the staff before you order, as the team would like to hear about any allergy or intolerance before you order, and ask what else the bar can offer. Check the booking calendar too, since what each option includes is shown there for your date. The show, the seat and the hour are the same whether or not a glass is in your hand.

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