Jamón, jamón, you know you want some

If you thought you had to book a plane ticket in order to eat slivers of rich, nutty Jamón Ibérico sliced tantalisingly slowly and with great precision in front of your hungry eyes, think again. Next Monday and Tuesday, September 21st and 22nd, Wines from Spain is hosting tutored tastings of both Jamón Ibérico and sherry, open to the public, at venues in Dublin.

César Saldaña is director general of the body which oversees the sherry industry in Spain, and he will be sharing his enthusiasm for this complex and versatile wine which is enjoying a wave of popularity at the moment. The sherries which will be offered for tasting are La Guita, a manzanilla from Groupo Estevez; the vogueish Fino En Rama by Fernando De Castilla; El Tresillo amontillado by Emilio Hidalgo, and Monteagudo palo cortado from Delgado Zuleta.

Mario Hiraldo is an expert in the knife skills that set apart a true master of the Jamón Ibérico. He will be demonstrating a lifetime of carving experience, and by offering samples carved from different areas of the ham, illustrating the different taste and texture profiles in each leg. Hiraldo, who comes from the jamón producing town of Huelva, will also be talking about how the pigs are reared, how the ham is produced, and how best to use each part.

The Monday tasting is at Stanley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar on St Andrew’s Street in Dublin 2 at 7.30pm. Admission is €15 and places should be booked in advance by telephoning 01-4853273. On Tuesday evening the masterclass will be repeated at 6.30pm in Residence Club on St Stephen’s Green. Admission is €20 and bookings are being taken by email at info@residence.ie or by telephoning 01-6620000.