Q: Several years ago, I found a recipe for tuna salad that required sherry vinegar, and I bought some. Now I am running low, and I have gone to every store in the area, and I can't find it. Could you please tell me where I can buy some?

A: Consider yourself a bit ahead of a national trend with your sherry vinegar purchase several years ago.

Recently there's been a surge in recipes calling for the Spanish import. The vinegar adds a sharp flavor boost that some describe as woody and nutty. Because of this growing interest, many specialty food markets and a growing number of supermarkets are stocking the product.

A web site featuring products from Spain, www.tienda.com, offers varieties from $6.95 to $94. The priciest bottle, a 75-year-old Gran Reserva by Vinagres de Yema (17 ounces), comes in a wooden presentation box.

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