Sherry

Go to section: What is sherry | Styles of sherry | Biologically aged fino sherry | Oloroso sherry | Dry sherry | Sweet sherry | How to pair food with sherry | Sherry in Australia | Sherry to try

What is sherry?

Sherry is a fortified wine hailing from the sun-drenched vineyards of Andalusia (spelled Andalucía in Spanish), the hottest winegrowing region of Spain. Ranging from bone dry to lusciously sweet, sherry makes for a refreshing pre-dinner drink and can even stand in for dessert. Get started on your sherry journey here.

Styles of sherry

Sherry can be divided into two main styles: biologically aged fino, and oxidatively aged oloroso. Production centres around the Spanish coastal region of Jerez and the city of Cadiz, which has the ideal climate for encouraging flor, a layer of yeast that protects the wine from oxygen and imparts a nutty complexity to the wines.

Sherry can be separated into two styles: biologically aged fino and oxidatively aged oloroso.

Biologically aged fino sherry

Biologically aged fino wines are made from palomino grapes. They’re fortified with a high-concentrate grape spirit and placed into 600–650L American oak barrels called butts, which are filled to around 500L. The partially filled barrels then develop a thin covering of flor yeast across the wine’s surface. The unique aging process of sherry, known as the solera system, involves blending younger wines with older ones in a tiered barrel system.

Oloroso sherry

Oloroso wines, also made from palomino grapes, are fortified to 18 per cent alcohol, which is too high for the flor to form on the wine. They are aged in contact with air, darkening in colour and developing flavours of toffee and nuts.

Dry sherry

Fino and manzanilla
Fino is a pale, dry sherry offering delicate flavours of almonds and fresh bread. Manzanilla is a fino made in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and characterised by a slightly salty tang.

Amontillado and oloroso
Amontillado is initially aged under flor, then exposed to oxidation, resulting in a nuttier flavour profile with hints of caramel and dried fruits. Oloroso is aged without the flor, leading to a richer, darker, and fuller-bodied sherry with pronounced nutty, toffee, and dried fruit flavours.

Sweet sherry

Pedro ximénez
Pedro ximénez, also known as PX, is made from pedro ximénez grapes that are sun-dried after harvest, resulting in a lusciously sweet wine with flavours of raisins and caramel.

Pair pedro ximénez with chocolate-based desserts.

How to pair food with sherry

Fino and manzanilla pair excellently with seafood, olives, and tapas. Amontillado and oloroso will complement richer dishes like roasted meats, aged cheeses, and nuts, while pedro ximénez or PX is the ideal pairing for desserts, especially rich chocolate-based dishes.

Sherry in Australia

Apera is Australia’s version of sherry. Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes grown in Jerez, Spain. The name 'Jerez' translates to 'sherry' in English, so just as sparkling wine made outside of the Champagne region can’t be called Champagne, Australian styles of sherry are known as apera.

Sherry to try

Delgado La Goya Manzanilla, Jerez 
375ml | RRP $30

González Byass Viña AB Amontillado, Jerez 
750ml | RRP $35

Valdespino Pedro Ximénez, Jerez 
750ml | RRP $35

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