Sherry - A Guide to Spain’s Favorite Fortified Wines

Bottoms up and Salud! Today we’re talking a closer look at Espana’s very favorite fortified wine, scrumptious sherry. It’s not the most fashionable beverage in the West, but more and more gourmets and foodies are starting to develop a taste for sherry, in all of its delicious permutations. There are many delectable variations to be tasted and, as with most delicacies in Spain, the different regions have their own distinctive take on this classic Iberian alcoholic tipple…

Spanish Sherry Barrels by: www.delicious-spanish-recipes.com

What is sherry?

Known as Jerez in its home country, sherry is a fortified wine with a rich history. The wine itself is made from white grapes (usually of the Palomino variety) and exclusively produced in an area known as ‘The Sherry Triangle’. This triangle is a region in Cadiz located between the three towns of El Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez de la Frontera and Sanlucar de Barrameda.

It is only sherries produced in this area which have protected designation of origin status - just like Champagne from the Champagne region over the French border. This designation is even upheld in Spanish law! Sherry is a very serious business in Espana…

After the Palomino wine has finished fermenting, it is then fortified with grape spirit to boost the alcohol content. The alcohol content varies from variety to variety, with some sherries like Manzanilla reaching around 15.5%, while stronger varieties like Fino have a minimum percentage of 17%.

Sherries are traditionally dryer than other fortified wines (such as port) as the fortification is usually added after the fermentation process is complete. This means that the sugars which are used up during fermentation are in short supply. Any sweetness evident in a sherry is added later.

A brief history of Spanish sherry

Jerez (Sherry) began its story in the area of modern Spain since 1100BC, when the Phoenicians introduced the practice of wine-making - a craft continued by the invading Romans in 200BC. When Spain was conquered by the Moors in 711AD, they brought the skill of distillation with them, making fortified wines like Jerez possible.

Sherry Styles Chart by: http://www.wlifestyle.net/

Key sherry varieties
Oloroso
This beautifully named Jerez means ‘scented’ in Spanish. It’s a traditionally dry sherry which is aged for longer than varieties like Fino. This results in a richer, deeper and darker drink. It’s one of the booziest sherries on the market, with a percentage of 18-20%.

Amontillado
This is a mid-dark sherry which is less heavy than Oloroso but darker than a Fino. This effect is produced by exposing the sherry to oxygen after aging it. Only true, dry Amontillado can be labeled with this name, although sweet versions are available under a different title.

Manzanilla
This is a very light Jerez made near Sanlucar de Barrameda in the Sherry Triangle. It is lighter than a Fino because of the more constant temperatures to be found in this corner of Cadiz which create a thicker layer of protective flor yeast during the fermentation process. In all other respects it is very similar in body and taste to a Fino. The name Manzanilla comes from the Spanish for chamomile, which is one of the lighter flavors which can be detected in this sherry.

Fino
A standard pale white sherry produced under the famed Jerez-Xeres-Sherry D.O.C. This famous Jerez carried notes of Mediterranean herbs and must be fermented for at least 2 years, by law. The very best varieties, however, undergo a much longer fermentation period of up to seven years to produce a more complex, savory flavor.

Are you new to sherry or a passionate Jerez fan? To indulge in a dose of true Spanish flavor, why not drop into our authentic Spanish restaurant in Portland where our wine menu includes some wonderful traditional and special sherries? Reserve your table at Portland’s best Spanish restaurant today on 503-894-8904 or right here online.Salud! Today we’re taking a closer look at Spain’s favorite fortified wine: sherry. Discover the history and varieties of this Iberian beverage.