Spanish Sherry – Unique and Underrated

Fino, Amontillado or Oloroso - Not Just for Grandparents!

Feb 7, 2009

Spain knows food and wine. But there is one style that, despite marketing efforts, is still misunderstood. Yet it's delicious, versatile, and inexpensive. That is sherry.

Sherry is a fortified wine that comes from Andalucia on the southern tip of Spain. Unlike its cousin port, which is fortified during fermentation and thus sweeter, sherry is fortified after fermentation by adding brandy to young dry wine. The result is a beverage of about 15-19% alcohol, ranging in styles from dry to sweet and dozens of flavor combinations.

Fino Sherry

The lightest and most delicate sherry is fino and its sidekick, manzanilla. It is bone-dry, lightest in alcohol, and almost always served chilled. It makes a fantastic aperitif and an effective palate cleanser because of its crisp and tangy taste. Traditionally, it is served with tapas, but its chameleon-like flavor versatility makes it a front-line candidate for shellfish, sushi, salty snacks, and “bar foods” – nuts, cold cuts, pungent cheeses.

To some, a glass of fino sherry may be an acquired taste because of that distinctive, tangy aroma—but like with any first experience, it’s worth a taste. It becomes very easy to understand once your venture out to a Spanish restaurant and simply allow them to treat you to a quintessential combo of sherry paired with Spanish cuisine. It won’t cost you much. A $5/glass authentic experience could certainly trump a more expensive dry martini as a palate opener.

Amontillado is a form of dry fino that ranges in style from dry to sweet (sometimes sweetened to appeal to sugar-loving consumers). More layered and complex, it pairs well with game meats, organ meats, and duck. And drinks beautifully on its own.

Oloroso Sherry

The other style of sherry is weightier, unctuous oloroso. Also ranging in style from dry to sweet, oloroso is heavier, more serious, philosophical wine. It is meant to sip and explore, substitute for port or cognac as an after-diner drink, or enjoy curled up with a book on winter evenings. It can be your best partner when you are in the mood for long, thought-provoking, heart-to-heart discussions and conversations with friends—or academic assignments.

Sweet Sherry

Finos and amontillados are made from a white grape called Palomino. Another kind, the much sweeter version of sherry, is made from the sunned, concentrated grape called Pedro Ximenez. This is a candidate for pairing with chocolate, berry tarts, and other desserts. Chefs like to use it in cooking for wine reduction sauces for pork and game.

It’s Inexpensive

Seriously. A good bottle of sherry shouldn’t cost you more than $20. Such is the buyer’s market we are in for this wine.

And, in 95% of the cases, for being a conversation starter—something an ordinary Chardonnay wouldn’t find itself guilty of.

The copyright of the article Spanish Sherry – Unique and Underrated in Spanish Wine is owned by Julia Timakhovich. Permission to republish Spanish Sherry – Unique and Underrated in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.