🍷 Sherry

Sherry is a fortified wine from the Jerez area of Andalusia in southern Spain. Grape spirit is added to the wine, so it is stronger than ordinary wine, usually 15–22% alcohol. It can be dry or sweet.

The main grape is Palomino, used for the dry wines. Pedro Ximénez is used for the sweet ones. A special feature is ageing by the solera system: barrels stand in rows, and wine from upper rows gradually moves to lower ones, blending with older wine. This keeps the taste even from year to year. Some wines age under a layer of yeast called flor, which makes Fino, a pale dry sherry. Oloroso ages with contact with air and is darker, while Amontillado lies between them.

Sherry is linked to Spanish wine and to fortified wine in general. It is drunk as an aperitif and served with tapas, nuts and cheese. Sweet types go with dessert. An open bottle of Fino is best finished within a few days.