Sherry is a type of wine that comes from the Iberian Peninsula.
It’s made with white grapes, and it’s noted for its pale to dark amber color.
Sherry also has an alcohol content of about 18% or higher, which makes it quite potent in taste.
Sherry is best served chilled and at room temperature.
This article explores what sherry tastes like, how it’s made, and what you should know before trying this type of drink for the first time.
What is Sherry Wine?
Sherry is a type of wine that many people have never heard of before.
It is usually made from white grapes that have been dried before being fermented and distilled into alcohol.
Sherry also undergoes oxidation during fermentation to give it an amber color with hints of gold or copper in some types.
The wine typically contains 15-20% total solids, including sugar, making it sweeter than most wines and often having more residual sugar content at bottling time.
What makes sherry unique is how long it spends oxidizing in barrels after fermentation when aging occurs for up to 20 years in oak casks or other specialized containers such as American Oak Barrels (AOB), Limousin Barrels, Pedro Ximenez Barrels, and others.
Sherry is a fortified wine, meaning that it has been distilled up to 20 times to make sherry from grape juice or must (unfermented fruit juice).
The alcohol content can be anywhere between 16-18%.
There are several types of sherry, including fino, manzanilla, Amontillado, and oloroso.
Is Sherry Sweeter Than Wine?
Do you know the difference between sherry and wine? There is no doubt that they are both delicious, but do you know which one tastes better to your taste buds? The truth of the matter is that it will depend on personal preference.
Sherry can be sweeter than a wine due to its high sugar content, but wine is still the more popular choice for many.
Most people who enjoy drinking sherry will find it sweeter than wine because of its high sugar content.
This sweetness can vary from dry to sweet and a dessert style.
Wine has a lower natural sugar content, making it less sweet compared to sherries containing added sugars like honey or syrup against grapes such as Port.
It should also be noted that there are many different styles of wines, including sparkling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, among others, so both options offer something special when tasting them together.
When Should You Drink Sherry? Food Pairings with Sherry
Sherry is a type of wine that often gets overlooked because people usually associate it with sweet, dessert wines.
But in truth, sherry can be made in many styles and vary greatly depending on the region and the grape varietals used.
We’ll explore different styles of sherry you might want to try, as well as some great food pairings for each.
- Fino Sherry: gets its name from the Spanish word for ‘dry’ because it is a dry, light wine. It’s best served chilled and pairs well with tapas like ham croquettes or chorizo sausage paired with bread.
- Manzanilla Sherry: this type of sherry has a salty flavor caused by evaporation in the aging process, which leaves behind mineral deposits that add to its distinctive taste. Manzanilla goes great with seafood dishes such as sauteed shrimp on top of rice pilaf or grilled salmon fillets drizzled in lemon juice and olive oil.
- Amontillado Sherry: this style of sherry was originally aged longer than other types to become dry and nutty. Amontillado is usually served well chilled and pairs perfectly with cheese like Manchego or Manchego and salted almonds.
- Oloroso Sherry: this style of sherry gets its name from the Spanish word for ‘fragrant’ because of a sweet, fruity flavor that adds to its appeal. Usually aged in American oak casks, Olorosos are best served at room temperature, so you can enjoy their full complexity when they are paired with a meal such as roasted chicken or beef stew.
- Palo Cortado Sherry: this type of sherry is created when the flor yeast that determines an Oloroso’s final flavor dies before it can transform into Amontillado. Palos Corts has flavors between those of an Amontillado and an Oloroso, making them perfect for pairing with shellfish dishes like scallops on grits.
What Does Sherry Taste Like? Does Sherry Taste Good?
Sherry is a type of wine similar to white wine, but it has an orange-gold color.
Sherry can be made from any grape and has its unique flavor profile depending on the region where it was made.
Sherry is not meant to be consumed alone and is typically served with a meal that has seafood or poultry in it.
The wine is made by adding grape brandy to dry white wines and then aging it in solera barrels for years.
You would be surprised at how varied the flavor can be.
Some sherries have a nutty and sweet flavor on one end of the spectrum, while others are drier with hints of raisins or apples.
How to Drink Sherry?
Sherry is a delicate and sweet wine that brings out the elegant side of any meal.
Sherry is often served as an after-dinner drink because it helps digest your food better than you can on its own.
Drinking Sherry also increases your level of happy hormones, which makes for a more enjoyable experience.
It’s best to pour this wine into smaller glasses so that everyone in attendance has their fair share without wasting any alcohol or spilling too many droplets onto the tablecloth.
If you want to try something new with your next bottle, try adding some Sherry to your coffee.
In the same way that drinking sherry after a meal is good for your digestion, adding it to your morning cup will give you a nice pick-me-up and also make sure you’re getting some calcium into your diet.
Conclusion
Sherry is one of the oldest wines in the world and has a long history.
If you’re looking for a drink to sip on this holiday season, sherry may be just the thing.
It’s rich in flavor with notes of nutmeg or clove, depending on which type you choose.
The fruitiness is also prominent, as well as the acidity.
It has a salty richness and can be enjoyed as an apéritif, with appetizers or dessert.
Sherry is also wonderful when paired with Spanish dishes such as paella or tapas.
Once you get into the holidays, try sipping on this delicious wine while enjoying your favorite Christmas movie.
What Does Sherry Taste Like? Does Sherry Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Sherry
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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