Where to drink Sherry in the UK for International Sherry Week and all year round…
Now in its 9th year, International Sherry Week is the world’s largest celebration of Sherry wines from Southern Spain. This year, it runs from Monday 7th - Sunday 13th November 2022.
Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Oloroso, Cream Sherry… Lovers of this fabulous, fortified wine from Jerez, Spain, know that it’s not all about the sweet stuff Grandma drinks at Christmas but instead, is about enjoying a savoury and saline, food friendly drink in all its wonderfully complex, fudge, salted almond and citrus peel glory.
You can watch a short film and read about what Sherry actually is this bite-size guide but if you just want to get out there and do some tasting, perhaps with a masterclass or with some tapas thrown in, then here’s your ultimate guide to some great venues around the UK for discovering the delights of Sherry for Sherry Week and beyond.
Sherry Week Events (7th-13th November)
All the locations below are fantastic destinations to try Sherry all year round, but first, here are some specific events to check out during International Sherry Week this November:
Helena with José Pizzaro at José in Bermondsey Street, London.
José Pizarro’s restaurants and tapas bars (London)
‘Get lost in our huge Spanish wine list and sherries and cocktails’ they say. We say, ‘yes please!’ A celebration of all things Spanish awaits you all year round at José Pizarro’s venues but for Sherry week, they are offering the perfect way to kick start your dinner: try three sherries beautifully complemented by Jamón Ibérico Cinco Jotas. £18.50 per head from 7th-13th November.
Pizarro
194 Bermondsey St,
London,
SE1 3TQ.
José Tapas Bar
104 Bermondsey Street,
London,
SE13UB.
José Pizarro Broadgate Circle
36 Broadgate Circle,
London,
EC2M 2QS.
josepizarro.com
At José on Bermondsey Street, London
Fourth And Church (Hove)
This restaurant and wine bar has quickly earned a reputation as a great foodie destination in Hove, offering tastings and events all year round. Join their expert Paul for a relaxed afternoon during Sherry Week, exploring six wines from Jerez, all perfectly paired with a six course menu.
When: November 13, 2022, 1-4pm
84 Church Rd,
Hove,
BN3 2EB
www.fourthandchurch.co.uk
Ambiente Tapas (Hull, Leeds & York)
Ambiente Tapas is a welcoming group of restaurants dotted around the country, each celebrating the world of Spanish food and wine - especially Sherry. To celebrate International Sherry Week, Ambiente is hosting exclusive, five course, sherry paired dinners featuring wines from Gonzalez Byass sherries across its various locations:
When: 9th November - Bodega Lustau - Hull.
When: 10th November - Bodegas Gonzalez Byass - Leeds.
When: 11th November - Bodegas Barbadillo - Tabanco By Ambiente Restaurant, York
ambiente-tapas.co.uk
The Reliance (Leeds)
This pretty bar and dining room has the gorgeously relaxed feel of an old school classroom with its wooden floors and mismatched chairs and tables. For Sherry Week, join the team on the 9th November for a menu of seasonal small plates paired with eight delicious Sherries.
When: 9th November
76-78 North Street,
Leeds,
LS2 7PN.
The-reliance.co.uk
The Wine Rooms (Cambridge)
A destination fine wine bar and shop bringing the world of wine to life through their extensive list of over 500 bottles and a large list of wines by the glass. During Sherry week, Spanish Sommelier Gonzalo will lead a masterclass through all the styles of Sherry. Come here any time of year though to taste with seasonal plates and regular events.
When: 10th November
57 Hills Road,
Cambridge,
CB2 1NT
thewineroomscambridge.com
Lo Rapitenc Spanish Deli (Frome)
For something a little different, hold onto your hats and head to Lo Rapitenc in Frome! Join Antonio Morenés, co-founder of Diatomists and leader of the so-called ‘Sherry Revolution’ for an overview of the region and tasting of each wine. Described as ‘a guerrilla wine night, which promises to be intoxicating, festive and a delight to the senses,’ the evening will conclude with after dinner drinks and live music by a Latin music duo. Bring your dancing shoes!
When: 12th November
21 Cheap St,
Frome,
BA11 1NN
Lorapitencspanishfood.com
Lunyalita (Liverpool)
Ok, so not officially set in Sherry week, but just afterwards, Luyalita will be hosting a Sherry tasting of six wines with matching tapitas, hosted by their resident expert, Ian Jackson. Part of the Lunya family, Lunyalita is set over two floors overlooking Liverpool’s gorgeous Albert Dock. The menu offers a wide range of classic and modern tapas at lunch and breakfast, with tapas, deli platters and paella served throughout the rest of the day.
When: 24th November
Britannia Pavilion,
Royal Albert Dock,
Liverpool,
L3 4AD.
lunya.co.uk/events
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Edinburgh)
The brilliant Rose Murray Brown MW will be hosting a 12 wine tasting including Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Oloroso & PX from leading bodegas, all served with Spanish charcuterie. Personalised gift vouchers are also available on request. No prior knowledge required!
When: 9th November
The Vaults,
87 Giles St,
Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6BZ.
Rosemurraybrown.com
Lind and Lime Gin Distillery (Leith)
Lind & Lime Gin Distillery has got together with Slonk for a fantastic Sherry experience. On arrival, you'll be treated to a Sherry Cocktail, followed by a five Sherry masterclass served with a delicious Spanish Tapas feast by Pablo Sensat of Manda Huevos fame.
When: 13th November
24 Coburg Street,
Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6HB.
Tickets here
Oxford Wine Café (Oxford)
This cosy café style wine bar is a vino lover's dream, boasting a huge list of wines from all over the world, made by smaller, ultra-passionate, boutique-style producers that you will not find in supermarkets and big chains. During Sherry week, they will be showcasing an extensive sherry menu paired with a number of delicious tapas dishes and are holding a big tasting on the Thursday night.
When: 11th November
32 Little Clarendon Street,
Jericho,
Oxford,
OX1 2HU.
oxfordwinecafe.co.uk
Other great locations to taste Sherry all year round
BRISTOL
Adelina Yard
Adelina Yard is found nestled in Bristol’s Welsh Back district and serves fine, seasonal, modern European dishes in a relaxed, informal, yet highly instagrammable atmosphere.
Adelina Yard,
Queen Quay,
Welsh Back,
Bristol,
BS1 4SL.
adelinayard.com
BIRMINGHAM
Loki Wine
Loki Wine has risen to fame these past few years and is the most awarded wine merchant in Birmingham. This fabulous, wine merchant-cum-wine bar offers a huge range of Sherry and other wines to purchase as well as taste by the glass. This is also the place for various fun, wine and tasting courses and events. Choose from any of their three locations:
Loki Wine Edgbaston, 10 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3AU
Loki Wine Birmingham City Centre (GWA), 36 Great Western Arcade, Birmingham, B2 5HU
Loki Wine Knowle, 20-22 Station Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0HT
Lokiwine.co.uk
FROME
The High Pavement
This cosy, Moorish jewel of a restaurant is set above the picturesque cobbled streets of Frome’s St Catherine’s quarter and offers a delicious, ever changing menu of Moorish Tapas inspired by the flavours of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. The wine list boasts an excellent selection of bottles from small, independent growers as well as an extensive sherry list.
8, Palmer St,
Frome,
BA11 1DS.
thehighpavement.co.uk
LEEDS
Iberica (Leeds)
The stunning Hepper Building in Leeds is a location to behold with its high ceilings and chandeliers. It’s like stepping back in time! Iberica is a place to celebrate all Spanish food and drink with an extensive wine list including many types of Sherry. Check out their events too and you can opt for private dining and even a Spanish afternoon tea.
Hepper House,
17a East Parade,
LS1 2BH,
Leeds.
Ibericarestaurants.com
LONDON
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Gordon’s wine bar is a London institution. The city’s oldest bar is set in a fabulous, candlelit, 19th Century vaulted cellar that has maintained its original Dickensian décor, it boasts a fabulous range of wines including an impressive array of Sherries. Come here to plot a revolution and have a great glass of vino.
47 Villiers Street,
London,
WC2N 6NE.
Gordonswinebar.com
The Opera Tavern
Part of the Salt Yard group, the famous Opera Tavern is a classic, Covent Garden pub and is ideal for a quick bite of jamon Iberico and a slurp of Palo Cortado before catching a show at the theatre or opera.
23 Catherine St,
London,
WC2B 5JS.
saltyardgroup.co.uk
Bar Pepito
Cosy and romantic with bottles everywhere, Bar Pepito combines a warm, Andalusian atmosphere with an extensive range of speciality Jerez sherries and a fantastic tapas menu served with a twist. It’s a must at any time of year!
3 Varnishers Yard,
The Regent Quarter,
Kings Cross,
N1 9FD.
camino.uk.com
Andanza
Down the road from Pizarro in Bermondsey is a tiny little, rustic, Spanish foodie gem in the form of Andanza. Come here for authentic Spanish meats and cheeses with a great range of wines and Sherries. You’ll want to photograph everything too!
66 Weston St,
London,
SE1 3QJ
andanza.co.uk
MANCHESTER
Flok
Flok is a cosy, yet vibrant, vintage feel bar and kitchen offering Mediterranean-inspired small plates as well as wines, craft beers, cocktails and spirits. This place has a reputation for its Sherry list too, which you can taste by the glass. Highly recommended.
5 Stevenson Square,
Manchester,
M1 1DN
flokmcr.co.uk
CARDIFF
Curado Bar & Vermut
Curado Bar Jamon & Pintxos in Cardiff and its snug little wine bar Vermut next door, offer a piece of authentic Spain right in the heart of the city. Vermut has Spanish wines on tap and specialises in three styles of wines: Sherry, Vermouth and Montilla-Moriles.
2 Guildhall Place,
Westgate Street,
Cardiff,
CF10 1EB.
curadobar.com
BATH
Pintxo Bath
Tucked away in Barton Street, Pintxo de Bath is a cosy, wood-clad, authentically Basque-style tapas and sherry bar in the heart of Bath’s theatre district. Inspired by the famous Pintxo bars of San Sebastián, they also serve a large range of Sherries all year round and even have a secluded, dedicated Sherry garden!
31 Barton Street,
Bath,
Somerset,
BA1 1HG.
pintxobath.co.uk
Heading to these? Tag us on Instagram @TheThreeDrinkers using #SherryWeek. Want more sherry info? Here’s Helena’s wine basics video guide.