Jerez, Sal y Pescado

PACO THE BARMAN POURED LITTLE GLASSES OF CHILLED MANZANILLA SHERRY. IN A WELL-WORN ROUTINE HE SET DOWN A PLATE OF ANCHOVY-STUFFED OLIVES, WIPED DOWN THE COUNTER AND MADE A WRY COMMENT ABOUT THE HOT WEATHER. I TOOK A SIP OF MANZANILLA. IT WAS COOL, DRY, CRISP AND SLIGHTLY AROMATIC. THE CLATTERING OF PANS CAME FROM THE KITCHEN AND IN A FEW MOMENTS A PLATE OF PRAWNS (SHRIMP) AND A GRILLED SNAPPER DRESSED WITH RED CAPSICUM (PEPPER) WAS PLACED NEXT TO THE SHERRY. THE GLASS WAS NOW DRIPPING WITH CONDENSATION IN THE WARM SEA AIR.