Sherry

In very simple terms, sherry is a fortified wine made in a solera system (see below) from southern Spain, in the Jerez region of Cadiz. It comes in a variety of styles – from bone dry to wonderfully sweet, the best being wonderfully complex with layers of mesmirising flavour, whatever their sweetness. Alcohol levels vary from 15-22% abv, depending on the style.

With a history spanning centuries, sherry originates in Jerez, southern Spain. Under Spanish law, only fortified wines produced in the ‘Sherry Triangle’ can be labelled as sherry. This area in the province of Cádiz is pinpointed by three towns: Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María.  

Jerez de la Frontera is the source of the name of the wine itself, as Jerez translates to ‘sherish’ in Arabic, which was anglicised by the British to ‘sherry’.  

Within this unique geographic triangle, the specific climate and chalky soil known as ‘albariza’, play a key role in cultivating the three primary grape varieties used in sherry production – Palomino, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel.

Fino – this is the driest style of sherry. Palomino grapes are fermented dry, then fortified to 15.5% and put into barrel, not quite full, so a layer of flor, a white yeast cover, can develop over the top and stop all oxidation. The flor also eats up any remaining sugar, hence a Fino is bone dry.  

Manzanilla – very much like Fino, but it comes from a specific location. Manzanilla may only come from Sanlucar de Barrameda, a town just that bit nearer the Atlantic, so the ocean has more of an influence on its flavour as it ages in the cellar.   

Amontillado – this starts life like a Fino. Palomino fermented dry and fortified to 15.5% and put into barrel for 3-4 years to develop flor. Then, if the winemaker decides it should be an Amontillado, they fortify it to 18° (so the flor dies) and leave it to age in barrel for longer. The wine takes on a richer amber hue and a whole different spectrum of rich flavours.   

Oloroso – nearly always dry in style and made all from Palomino grapes, using the second pressing juice, fermented dry, then fortified to 18°, put into barrel five sixths full, so it is open to oxidation, then left to mature for between 3 and 40 years.  

Palo Cortado – a sherry of great complexity, this starts off as a Fino, aged in barrel, but for whatever reason, the white layer of flor dies off, leaving the wine exposed to the air. It continues to mature there in barrel, gaining an array of gorgeous, intriguing flavours.  

Cream – a blend of Oloroso sweetened with other wines such as Pedro Ximénez or Amontillado.   

Pedro Ximénez – created by sun-drying Pedro Ximénez grapes to concentrate the sugars before fermentation, then ageing with no flor on top, like you would an Oloroso.

Sherry offers a wide range of flavours, depending on the style:  

Fino and Manzanilla – tend to have a light gold hue, with savoury nutty, almondy and bready notes, and intense lemon freshness. Like fino, Manzanilla comes from Sanlucar de Barrameda, a town closer to the Atlantic, so you’ll find more of a pronounced seaside tang.  

Amontillado – dry, with a deep amber hue, intense toasted nuts, dried fruits, with hints of caramel, savoury umami notes and a yeasty tang.  

Oloroso – deep amber hue, very nutty, caramel and sultana aromas, spices too; a big, voluptuous mouthful of nutty notes, orange and raisined fruit.  

Palo Cortado – takes on a mid-amber hue, with complex, toasty, nutty caramel, citrus and candied fruits. Citrusy, creamy, with toasty, nutty, yeasty flavours coming through, and good tangy freshness and length. Deliciously long and complex.  

Cream – sweet, rich and unctuous, the best are deliciously complex with notes of raisins and dark honey.   

Pedro Ximénez – a rich, sweet and dark dessert wine with intense flavours of dried fig, raisin and molasses.

Sherry production requires careful grape selection, specialised fermentation and a unique maturation method known as the Solera System. The journey from vine to bottle involves time-honoured practices and careful craftsmanship. Here’s how it’s done:

Grape selection

Most sherry wines are made with the Palomino grape. Its high acidity and neutral profile make it the perfect canvas for the wine’s unique ageing process and the intricate flavours this imparts. Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes are used for the sweet varieties of sherry.

Fermentation

Once harvested, the grapes are pressed, and the juice is fermented, often in stainless steel vats, although traditional winemakers prefer to ferment the wine in old wooden casks for the extra character it gives.

Fortification

The result is a base wine which is then fortified with grape spirit. If destined to become a Fino or Manzanilla, it’s fortified to about 15% alcohol, creating conditions for the growth of ‘flor’, a white layer of indigenous yeast that protects the wine from oxidation and imparts unique flavours. For Oloroso sherries, the wine is fortified to about 17-18% alcohol, which prevents ‘flor’ growth and leads to oxidative ageing ie ageing in the presence of oxygen.

Ageing – the Solera System

Sherry’s distinctive character is largely a result of the Solera System, a unique ageing process involving fractional blending in a series of barrels arranged in tiers. The higher tiers are called ‘criaderas’ and hold the younger wines, while the oldest wines are stored in the bottom row of barrels, known as the ‘solera’.   When sherry is extracted for bottling, it’s drawn only from the oldest casks. These casks are then replenished with wine from the next oldest tier, and so on, with the top tier filled with the new wine. This continuous blending process ensures consistency in flavour and style, with no single vintage dominating the blend.

A sherry labelled ‘en rama’ indicates it is unfined and unfiltered. The words ‘en rama’ mean literally ‘from the branch’ and means, in essence, straight from the barrel, so it’s a true artisan wine, bottled without fining or filtration, fuller and more complex in flavour. Fino or Manzanilla en ramas tend to be slightly darker in colour too.

Nearly all unfortified wine is 15° alcohol or below, while the lightest sherry is just over 15° up to about 22°. So, yes, sherry is stronger in alcohol than most wines.

When it comes to glassware, choose a small wine glass or a traditional Spanish sherry copita that help funnel the aromas towards your nose, so you can enjoy them fully. Be mindful of the measure of sherry in your glass, as it has a higher alcohol level than wine and is typically poured in smaller amounts – usually around 90-120ml.  

Most sherries are best served at room temperature, although Fino and Manzanilla tend to chilled. See below.  

Most importantly, sip slowly and enjoy your sherry. Take the time to appreciate the complex aromas and flavours.

Serving temperatures

• While there are no strict rules about the serving temperatures for sherry, you can follow some general recommendations. Serve Finos and Manzanillas – the dry style of sherry – chilled, ideally between 5°C-7°C. This temperature will preserve its freshness and delicate aromas.
• For sherries such as Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado and Cream, a cellar cool temperature range of 12°C-15°C is recommended.
• When it comes to very old sherries, categorised as VOS (Vinum Optimum Signatum / Very Old Sherry) and VORS (Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum / Very Old Rare Sherry), aim for a temperature of around 15°C degrees. This allows you to fully enjoy the nuanced flavours of these complex and rich wines.

The date of your delivery will depend on which option you choose at checkout. We offer:  

Standard delivery is ideal if you’re buying for yourself or as a thank you gift. We’ll deliver your order within three working days.  

Next-day delivery is a great choice for last-minute gifts, while Named-day delivery is perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. Do bear in mind that we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  

Top tip: for the best experience, subscribe to our Unlimited service. You’ll make a one-off payment of £29.99 which entitles you to free delivery for a year – as often as you like – even on single bottles.

Our wines are covered by a no-quibble guarantee.  

That means, if, for whatever reason, a bottle fails to satisfy, we’ll arrange to collect it. You’ll have the option to either receive a full refund or replace the wine.   

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