SHERRY’S a wine on the wane. In a world where insipid prosecco sales go through the roof that’s a shame. Sadly Spain’s unique fortified styles have an image problem. It’s meant that sales have halved in the past decade – only the super dry tapas-friendly fino and manzanilla bucking the trend. But it also means there are bargains to be had for those prepared to fall under sherry’s unique spell.
So good luck to Flok, the new Northern Quarter bar that’s flagging up its sherry shelf. Co-owner Justin Parkinson is a fan, so you’ll find a bottle of aged Oloroso priced at £200 a bottle alongside a more affordable Barbadillo Solear, a mature style of Manzanilla. There’s also vermouth on draught as we exclusively revealed in our preview of the Stevenson Square bar, which has a fascinating spirits array (check out the Galician gin Nordes) and a distinctive wine list that goes far beyond Spain.
After last minute delays Flok is finally open, if still something of a soft launch work in progress (the food menu is still a moveable feast, the basement space not ready). We popped by to admire its handsome, bright interior. Until the sun disappeared the expansive outdoor terrace was doing a roaring trade. This is a mature, different, addition to the febrile NQ bar scene.
Flok, 5 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN. Follow them @FlokManchester
