Pinch, punch, first of the month – no returns!
August, which should be the height of our summer has been a
disappointment. I don’t think I’m imagining it, as my BBC weather sources tell
me that August is on average the wettest of the summer months – and this year
has been particularly wet in the Southeast.
So definitely no returns for this August just past – roll on
September, which often brings better weather and, in our garden at least, the
best of the season’s tomatoes.
Sherry is a brilliant accompaniment to all sorts of tomato
salads, including the liquid salad that is gazpacho. Enjoy the fruits of the
season on a sunny afternoon with a glass of ice cold dry Sherry – this en rama
style of Manzanilla is fine, dry and concentrated, with a really pronounced
tang, redolent of the sea, which sets off the sweet ripeness of the tomatoes
perfectly. There’s also quite a bit of savoury umami in both the ripe tomato
and the Sherry - indeed this umami character is the key to what makes Sherry
such a great food wine all round.
Sweeter styles of sherry are also brilliant for providing
summer central heating after a soggy British summer day – I never go camping
without a bottle of rich Oloroso or rich cream Sherry on board.
Sacristia AB Manzanilla Primera Saca 2016 - £18 for a half
bottle from Lay & Wheeler
