food & drink | Azahar Sevilla

Sherry On Top

July 7, 2016June 13, 2020 azahar

sherry on top

Last night (July 6th) I had the good fortune and privilege to be invited to the first of a new season of music & wine events in Sevilla with the title Sherry on Top. Organised by the Consejo Regulador de los Vinos de Jerez, in conjunction with the Asociación de Hoteles de Sevilla y Provincia‘s #summerHOTELtime initiative, it aims to attract people to some of Sevilla’s best hotel rooftop terraces with a programme of live music, sherry tastings, and exclusive sherry cocktails designed by the hotels’ bartenders.

Last night’s event was held at the Hotel Inglaterra in Plaza Nueva, one of Seville’s most popular rooftops. Comfortable and elegant, with fabulous views of the Town Hall, El Salvador Church and the Cathedral, it was a pleasant place to spend a balmy evening out of doors, and many of the great and good from the worlds of sherry and hospitality were there, including the newly re-elected head of the Consejo Regulador, Don Beltrán Domecq. As always at such events it was also a good opportunity to renew acquaintance with old friends and make a few new ones.

The tasting was hosted by Carmen Aumesquet and Pepe Ferrer, and featured a Fino, an Oloroso and a sherry Cream cocktail. Live music was provided by Los Quiero, who turned out to be rather good, playing music from the 50s-60s-70s, including some forgotten favourites.

sherryontop (2)-001

Altogether a very nice evening, and I hope to attend a few more of these events over the summer, on from now until the end of September. Check the links below for the upcoming venues and performers and be sure to reserve your spot as space is limited. Salud!

Sherry On Top Webiste
Sherry Wines Facebook

Viña Sevilla – Fiesta del Vino

May 14, 2016June 13, 2020 azahar

vina sevilla (1) The Third Fiesta del Vinos, organised by Viña Sevilla, is a great opportunity to discover and learn about the wonderful world of Spanish wines. This edition will be held in creative-space Rompemoldes and will be a bit like a big street party where you can sample a wide selection of wines from different areas of Spain and also meet the winemakers. There will be various wine tastings, interactive workshops, along with homemade tapas and plenty of good music. Entrance is free but if you’d like to sign up for any of the workshops get in touch with Viña Sevilla as space for these events is limited.
vina sevilla (2)

Viña Sevilla – Fiesta del Vinos
Centro Rompemoldes
San Luís 70
Friday May 20th 7.00 pm – midnight
Saturday May 21st 12.00 pm – midnight

Pre-Feria at Taberna del Alabardero

April 7, 2016 azahar

pre feria 2016

If you can’t wait for the Feria de Abril to start (this year it runs from the 12-17th) you can whet your appetite at Taberna del Alabardero, which is hosting is first ever Pre-Feria event. The gorgeous Salón del Magnolio has been decked out with colourful paper lanterns and banners and will be offering feria-style lunches (13.00 – 16.30) and dinners (20.00 – 23.30) until next Sunday the 10th. There will be live music and typical feria food (tortillas, fried fish, Ibérico meats) will be freshly made-to-order in the “caseta’s” pop-up kitchen, which will also be preparing various paellas during mealtimes. To encourage a proper feria “ambiente” a dinner for two will be awarded to one of the couples that come dressed in vestido de gitana and traje corte.

pre feria

Pre-Feria en el Magnolio
April 6 – 10
Taberna del Alabardero
Zaragoza 20
Tel. 954 50 27 21

ll Feria de Vinos & Ibéricos

March 3, 2016 azaharLeave a comment

feria vinos
The second Feria de Vinos & Ibéricos takes place this weekend in the patio of the Diputación de Sevilla. It’s a great way to sample the gastronomic delights of the province. And entrance is free!

Diputación de Sevilla
Avenida Menendez Pelayo 32
March 4 – 6
Friday 15.00 – 20.00
Saturday 11.00 – 14.30 / 18.00 – 20.00
Sunday 11.00 – 18.00

Semana del Arroz

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016 azaharLeave a comment

semana del arroz (1)

Tomorrow the 19th edition of Semana del Arroz (Rice Week) will take place at Taberna del Alabardero, headed by Valencian rice master Juan Tamarit. For the next week you can find special rice menus in the restaurant paired with wines from the non-sherry branch of Bodegas González Byass, including Beronia Verdejo, Viñas del Vero Chardonnay and Beronia Reserva. From the 23th to 25th you can also attend seminars hosted by Juan Tamarit and learn the secrets of perfect paella making, held from 10.00 – 13.30 and 7.00 – 20.30. For more information, or to reserve your space, call Taberna del Alabardero at 954 50 27 21 or contact them by email rest.alabardero@esh.es.

Last Friday I was invited to attend a preview and rice tasting at the Taberna and, upon finding out this was the 19th edition (all of which have been run by Tamarit), my first question was WHY I hadn’t been invited to the previous 18! It was a delicious way to spend an afternoon, chatting with other foodie pals and sampling a wonderful variety of flavours. Chef Tamarit also put paid to the notion that the only true paella is the traditional Valencian version, telling me that if it’s made in a paellera it’s a paella, if it’s made in a pot it’s rice. Simple. And who am I to argue with a maestro arrocero?

Whether you are interested in learning how to make this iconic Spanish dish, or if you’d just like to sample some of the best, don’t miss your chance this week at Taberna del Alabardero.

semana del arroz (5) getting started on a vegetarian paella