Sherry Tasting - An Evening Meeting

The weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy was held at the Dean Park Hotel on Tuesday, 7^th February 2017 – this was an evening meeting instead of our usual lunch time meeting. There were 25 persons at the meeting including 3 guests.

Today’s meeting was conducted by Senior Vice President Dallas Mechan who welcomed everyone in the absence of President Mark Rossiter. Secretary Sharon Munro informed the Club that West Fife Rotary Club was holding an exhibition on 12th March at The Keavil House in Crossford with other charities to showcase what work they do.

Senior Vice President then introduced Mr Drew Gordon, the speaker for today and he spoke to us about Sherry. He spoke to us in 3 parts – before the first course was served, between the first and the second course and after the second course. He also offered 3 different types of sherry to taste. He stated that since 1996 the term Sherry could only legally be used for fortified wines made in south west corner of Spain known as the “Sherry Triangle” and refers to the three main wine towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Sherry is produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the white Palomino grape. After fermentation is complete, the base wines are fortified with grape spirit in order to increase their alcohol content. As they age in the barrel, they develop a layer of flor – yeast like growth that protects the wine from excessive oxidation.

There are various types of sherry – Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, Pedro Ximenez – they each have different alcohol content and usage. Sherries complement different types of food and Pedro Ximenez is especially good to have with vanilla ice cream or fruit cake.

Wines from different years are aged and blended using a “Solera” system before bottling so that bottles of sherry will not usually carry a specific vintage year and can contain a small proportion of very old wine. 

The talk and tasting was enjoyed by all. Past Secretary Ron McGill gave the Official Vote of Thanks.

The Raffle raised £29.

SVP Dallas reminded everyone about the Primary School Quiz – will be held at 6.30pm on 9^th March at Balwearie High School.

The next meeting of the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy will be held on Tuesday, 14^th February, 2017 and it will be at the usual lunch time.