Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Pedro Ximenez Sherry

The 23rd of December is the busiest day of the year in the shop floor which makes it a special kind of hell for customers and retailers alike. The low point of my day was warning someone to watch out before they stepped back into me and the sharp edged heavy box I was carrying. This charmer then tracked me accross the shop to complain about how offended he was by my tone. I'm not sure how he wanted to be warned before he got hurt, he didn't bother to say. 

It's also the last day of books and booze. Tomorrow night after work (I'm counting down the hours now) I'm off to my mothers to play with the dog, drink champagne, and really relax for the first time in weeks. Before that happens, and before the onslaught of last minute shoppers who won't understand that if you pitch up on the 24th of December you get what's left - which isn't always what you want, there is another sherry I have to share with you though, 

I wish I could actually share it; Pedro Ximenez (PX) is available as a dry white wine (I've seen it in M&S and must try it some time) but the PX I'm thinking of is the ridiculously sweet and sticky sherry. It's only a slight exaggeration to say it has the colour and consistency of treacle - it's certainly quite syrupy, but the colour is a glorious sort of chestnut or mahogany. It's a luscious, intense, mouth full of raisened splendour (think of it as a liquid mince pie but better). It's one of the few wines that works well with chocolate, but it's so rich a combination that I prefer the PX on its own. It's also a delightful thing to sip instead of Christmas pudding (again lots of the same flavours, but not quite as filling). 

It's not the most fashionable end of sherry, which isn't at the most fashionable end of wine as it is, but if you don't know it, try it. Unless you really hate raisins and rich concentrated fruit flavours - because that's what you're going to get! 

These are winter flavours to me; it's all the rich abundance of summer come to ripeness and stored safely against the darkest days of the year. When it comes to matching a book to that in some ways it's anything goes - what book do you turn to that's either the epitomy of Christmas or which transports you to the warmth of a Spanish summer, or the slow years spent ageing to perfection? In the end my choice is Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. I read it first studying history of art because it was useful, and then again because I enjoyed it so much. 

Some of the legends are more familiar than others, but the whole thing is a strange and wonderful collection and it's a strange and wonderful wine to go with it.   

12 comments:

  1. Thanks very much for this series of blog posts, which I've really enjoyed reading - some great ideas for drinks AND books that were new to me. Best wishes for a Merry and very relaxing and enjoyable Christmas.

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    1. Thank you for reading. I'm really pleased people have enjoyed them, I'll do another series some time I think - there's still a lot of drinks (and books) left.

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  2. I had the most amazing dessert once (sadly, only once) featuring prunes which had been slowly poached in PX until they were plump to bursting with it -- an amazing and perfect intensity match of fruit and wine. (Pleased to see Ovid gets a mention - he's quite a lad).

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    1. That sounds amazing. I've got prunes in Armagnac and made apricots in Muscat once. Assuming prunes soaked in PX would work on the same principle. Ovid has his moments for sure.

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  3. Than you, again Hayley! Simply wonderful run-up to Christmas. Have a lovely restful time and best wishes for the new year, too xx

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. It's been a nice thing to do and now debating a second run. A couple of days off has also been great, hope you all had a good Christmas too.

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  4. Your series on books and alcohol has entertained and informed. What else could one ask from a blog! I probably won't drink any of the alcohol, but a few of the books have made their way onto my 2016 TBR. Thank you for the recommendations and for your fine blog.

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    1. Thank you. What lovely things to say. I can't help but be interested if I see a mention of a wine, spirit, etc in a book - it's like meeting a friendly acquaintance - and I love it when authors are good on wine, but whats been fun for me about doing these posts is that it's made me look at both the books and the booze from a slightly different angle.

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  5. I have enjoyed this series very much. I hope that you have had a good celebration today.

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    1. It was quiet but good and there was a puppy (love the puppy) I hope yours was great too.

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  6. This series matching books to drinks has been so enjoyable, and it's great to get the benefit of your expertise. I have been inspired to try a number of new things. Hope you had a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2016.

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  7. Lovely Christmas, thank you - and happy (moderate) drinking for the new year!

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