It’s not impossible, but certainly not easy, to find much Spanish wine around town. One of the easiest options for those who want to try a variety of good quality wines and sherries from this part of the world is to visit Cafe Madrid.
“I could only find eight Spanish wines in Dallas at first,” says owner Donika Jimenez. “And all the wholesalers said I’d never make it if I just served Spanish wines. But I stuck to my guns about being authentic and offer my wines at a very inexpensive cost so people own’t be scared to try them. I now have 62, divided up by region; we even won an award from Wine Spectator.”
In addition to the ambitious wine selection, Jimenez carries a wide variety of sherries, a beverage that seems to be experiencing a rebirth in popularity. Offerings include:
GONZALES BYASS TIO PEPE: Jimenez says this fino sherry is the most favored apertif in Andalucia. Made from Palomino grape, it has a pale golden color with a delicate aroma – light and crisp.
HIDALGO LA GITANA: Produced only in the seaside town of Sanlucar de Barrameda, this fragrant manzanilla sherry is somewhat lighter than fino.
LUSTAU SAN EMILIO: On the other end of the spectrum is a pedro ximenez sherry described as the “ultimate dessert wine.” Dark mahogany in color, it has a very deep, sweet flavor.
