Sherry wines are becoming more popular. Sherry has recently been viewed a stellar value and food-friendly in our modern world of wine. Sherry is a fortified wine, produced in southwest Spain’s “Sherry Triangle.” This triangle consists of the three towns of Jerez, Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The primary grapes used to make Sherry are the Palomino and Pedro Ximénez. The soil in this region is limestone based, chalky and provides the perfect conditions for growing the grapes that are used in making the world’s finest Sherries. Once harvested and fermented, the wines will become a Fino or an Oloroso.
The Two Main Types of Sherry
The two predominant types of Sherry are Fino (very dry with a lighter-body) and Oloroso (still dry, but much richer in both flavor and body). If the winemaker is going for Fino, alcohol is added (fortification) until it reaches just over 15%; however, if Oloroso is the goal then alcohol is added to reach an 18% alcohol content.
Now the fun begins, while the wines remain in their casks they are permitted contact with air in the top portion of the cask. A layer of yeast, called “flor” forms a coating on the surface of the Sherry, keeping the wine from over oxidizing – these wines will become Finos as their lower alcohol content is what allows the yeast to grow in the first place. Olorosos on the other hand, do not support the growth of flor due to their higher alcohol content. Olorosos are permitted to oxidize intentionally, producing a darker, and richer wine, with more body than a Fino.
The Solera System
solera system must go through a solera systemfor adequate aging. This system is essentially a blending system of casks that hold wines of different ages. The oldest casks of Sherry are the ones that are bottled in a given year and the next casks are arranged in such a way that the youngest Sherries are blended into a series of casks holding progressively older Sherries. The blending off of younger Sherry into older Sherry results in very consistent, high quality wines that all share a portion (albeit small) of the oldest, original vintage of Sherry made at the solera systemSherries do not have a vintage date, per se, as they are really a blend of many years.
Specific Types of Sherry
Fino
Very dry, light-bodied Sherry that is straw-like in color. The characteristic aromas associated with Finos are almonds. Typically, Finos comes in at about 15-17% alcohol by volume. Amazing with almonds, olives, ham, and chips and dips.
Manzanilla
Also dry, and pale in color. A “fino” style of Sherry made in Sanlucar and best with seafood and tapas.
Amontillado
In between Fino and Oloroso in terms of color and body. This off-dry Sherry loses its flor during the aging process and yields deeper color and a lovely nutty flavor. The characteristic aromas associated with Amontillados are hazelnuts. This Sherry is great with oily fish and chicken dishes.
Oloroso
Dark in color, rich in flavor. Olorosos typically have a remarkable walnut aroma and a swirled caramel flavor making them a top pick for rich meats and flavorful cheeses (consider Manchego, a delicious Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk).
Palo Cortado
Is a very rare Sherry that begins life as a Fino (where the yeast develops) and progresses to an Amontillado (where the flor dies off) but ends up with the richer style of an Oloroso. This Sherry has a dry palate and an enchanting reddish-brown color combination with dramatic aromas and full flavor.
Sweet Sherry
Is a Sherry that has been sweetened with Pedro Ximénez (PX) grape juice. Pedro Ximénez grapes have a high residual sugar content as they are sun-dried (think raisins) to concentrate the sugars before being pressed. Flavors that one can expect from PX are the thick, sweet flavors of fig and molasses.
Cream Sherry
Rich mahogony in color and velvety smooth in texture, a sweet Sherry made from Amontillado or Oloroso and sweetened with PX. Perfect with cheesecake.
Pedro Ximénez
Is an ultra sweet almost syrup-like dessert Sherry, made from sweet, sundried grapes of the same name. It’s alcohol content is on the lower end of the spectrum and its flavor profiles lean towards the toffee, fig, date and molasses side of the vine. I had the Osborne Pedro Ximénez Viejo over vanilla ice cream and it was unbelievable, better than any dark chocolate or caramel sauce you can find!
Sherry Storing and Serving Tips
All Sherry should be stored upright in a cool, dark place. Finos and Manzanillas are not long lifers and should be consumed fairly quickly after bottling. Once they have been opened, keep them stored in the refrigerator to prolong their life up to around two weeks. Serve them chilled.
Amontillados can keep for 2-3 years in a sealed bottle and again once opened should be consumed within a couple of weeks (keep in refrigerator to prolong life). Serve chilled or at a crisp room temperature.
The Olorosos, Sweet and Cream Sherries and the Pedro Ximénez Sherries can all be stored for many years as they have more age and weight on them. You don’t have to store these guys in the refrigerator after opening (but you may), just keep them in a cool, dark storage location (a basement is ideal). Serve at room temperature.