Fino. Oloroso. Pedro Ximénez.
Sherry has an image problem.
Many people picture a dusty bottle of sweet sherry brought out once a year at Christmas.
But sherry is one of the most fascinating and varied wines in the world, from pale, bone-dry and salty to dark, rich and intensely sweet.
Once you understand the styles, it opens up an entirely new world of flavour.
Where Does Sherry Come From?
Sherry comes from Andalusia in southern Spain.
It is produced in an area often called the Sherry Triangle, formed by the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
The name sherry comes from Jerez.
It is a protected designation of origin, so only wine from this area, made by its rules, can be called sherry.
The Grapes
Most sherry is made from Palomino, a white grape that thrives in the region's bright white albariza soils.
Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel are used mainly for sweet styles, often after the grapes have been dried in the sun to concentrate their sugars.
The Solera System
Sherry is aged in a unique system called the solera.
Barrels are arranged in tiers of different ages.
When wine is drawn from the oldest barrels for bottling, they are topped up with younger wine from the next tier, and so on.
Over time, young and old wines blend continuously.
This creates a remarkably consistent style and adds layers of complexity.
Flor: The Magic Layer
Some sherries are aged under a layer of yeast called flor, which forms naturally on the surface of the wine in the barrel.
Flor protects the wine from oxygen and gives it a distinctive fresh, bready, almond and salty character.
This is called biological ageing.
Other sherries are aged without flor, in contact with oxygen, becoming darker, nuttier and richer. This is oxidative ageing.
The Main Styles
Fino is pale, dry and crisp, aged under flor. Expect almonds, bread dough and a salty freshness.
Manzanilla is a Fino-style sherry aged in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where the sea air often gives an even lighter, more saline character.
Amontillado begins life under flor and then continues ageing with oxygen, becoming amber, nutty and complex while staying dry.
Oloroso is aged oxidatively, without flor. It is darker and fuller, with walnut, leather and spice. Naturally it is dry, but sweetened versions exist.
Palo Cortado is a rare style that combines the elegance of Amontillado with the richness of Oloroso.
Pedro Ximénez, often called PX, is made from sun-dried grapes and is intensely sweet, dark and syrupy, with notes of raisins, figs and molasses.
Medium and Cream Sherries
Medium and Cream sherries are blends, usually combining dry sherry with sweeter wine.
They are easy-going and approachable, and often the style people remember from family gatherings.
VOS and VORS
Some very old sherries carry special age certifications.
VOS means Very Old Sherry, with an average age of at least 20 years.
VORS means Very Old Rare Sherry, with an average age of at least 30 years.
These are rare, concentrated wines made for slow sipping.
How to Serve Sherry
Serve Fino and Manzanilla well chilled, like a white wine.
Once opened, they are best enjoyed within a few days, as their freshness fades.
Amontillado and Oloroso are best lightly cool, and keep longer once opened.
Pedro Ximénez can be served cool or poured straight over vanilla ice cream.
Use a white wine glass rather than a tiny glass, so the aromas can open up.
Sherry and Food
Sherry is one of the most food-friendly wines there is.
Fino and Manzanilla are perfect with olives, almonds, cured ham, fried fish, prawns and other tapas.
Amontillado works with mushrooms, soups and white meat.
Oloroso pairs with red meat, stews and mature cheeses.
Pedro Ximénez is magnificent with chocolate, blue cheese and desserts.
Choosing Your Sherry
For a refreshing aperitif, choose a Fino or Manzanilla.
For nutty complexity, try Amontillado or Oloroso.
For dessert, choose Pedro Ximénez.
For a special occasion, explore a VOS or VORS sherry.
A Wine Worth Rediscovering
Sherry is history, place and patience in a glass.
It deserves to be enjoyed all year round, not just once at Christmas.
Pour a chilled Fino with some tapas and see for yourself.
Explore Sherry at EU Cellar
From crisp Fino to rich Oloroso and luscious Pedro Ximénez, discover our sherry collection alongside Port and sherry.
Find the style that suits your table, from aperitif to dessert.
Shop the Bottles
- Tio Pepe Fino Sherry 1L
- Sandeman Medium Sweet Sherry 750ml
- González Byass Solera 1847 Oloroso Dulce Sherry 750ml
- Sandeman Royal Ambrosante Pedro Ximénez 20 Year Old Sherry 500ml
- Bodegas Tradición Oloroso VORS 30 Year Old Sherry 750ml
Shop all sherry | Port and sherry
More from The Cellar Journal: Port: A Richer Story
18+ only. Please enjoy responsibly.