AWARD-WINNING tapas restaurant Bar 44 has teamed up with sherry brand Tio Pepe in the lead up to Christmas to offer customers the chance to discover the new and unusual art of sherry and popcorn matching.

Bar 44 is one of four venues throughout the UK chosen by Tio Pepe to offer the limited edition menu from December 1, developed in conjunction with gourmet popcorn specialists, Pop of Notting Hill.

Foodies can head to Bar 44 in Penarth and Cowbridge over the festive period to enjoy a glass of chilled Tio Pepe and share three unusual flavours of popcorn with friends, inspired by Britain’s most loved seasonal tastes - pigs in blankets, roast turkey with stuffing and blue cheese.

Popcorn expert Matt Guarente at Pop, inspired by the sherry renaissance, created the bespoke flavours to match the distinctively dry yet versatile flavour profile of the ultimate fino sherry – Tio Pepe.

Guarente said: “‘We knew at the first sip that the popcorns had to be bold, interesting and a conversation point. We wanted to create a series of flavours that can be savoured whilst being enhanced by the taste of the fino due to its palate cleansing qualities. We worked hard to get the balance right between the bitter and mellowness of the thyme, the correct amount of smokiness in the bacon and perfecting the strength in the Blue Cheese Popcorn - all whilst ensuring the flavours were big, bold, clean, flavoursome and authentic.”

Owen Morgan, co-founder of Bar 44, who is part of a small group of individuals in the UK to hold the Official Certified Sherry Educators qualification, said: “Sherry is the only type of wine which can actually be paired with any type of food, which is why we have such an extensive list at our restaurants. We’re also seeing a much younger market ordering a dry sherry today which demonstrates how the appeal is rapidly growing. It’s great to be chosen by Tio Pepe to offer this unique and limited edition menú in the lead up to Christmas. As a drink traditionally associated with the festive season, we hope to have people’s preconceived opinions about sherry challenged and changed.”

Priced at £5 per person, begin your sherry education with a 100ml glass of Tio Pepe and three servings of gourmet popcorn (3 x 30g between two people), on the menu at Bar Pepito in London, Bar 44 in Cardiff, Larderhouse in Bournemouth and Ambiente in Leeds from Monday, December 1, until Wednesday, December 24.