My very favorite sherry vinegar (so far) is on the left of the photo, Gran Gusto. I strongly prefer it to the L'Estornell, which is widely available and, how shall I say, stronger.
The Fino-only vinegar in the middle is really very good, but I personally do not like very sweet vinegars in vinaigrettes. I thought this one would not be too sweet (having tasted it on a piece of rather nice bread), but it turns out to be every time I make it into a lettuce dressing. I have this issue with balsamic, as well, where the vinegar is "good" (and damn high), but it's just too sweet for lettuce, for my palate anyway. Not that I don't eat other things that will shine with a fine vinegar splash. But we are talkin' salad here.
I do want to try an oloroso-only vinegar, which is reportedly very dry. I just hit this balk-point on the spending, it comes from a separate part of my brain when I'm in fine-food establishments. It's probably a kind of a blessing.
Anyway. I don't really think I've come up with what they're doing at Gotham Bar & Grill, recipe notwithstanding; but in the multiple dressings with these decent vinegars, I've kind of forgotten about it. The truth is, there are a lot of ways to get something really good going . . . .
