Sherry

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

About

Sherry is a fortified wine produced in Jerez, Puerto de Santa Maria, and Sanlucar de Barrameda in southwest Spain.

There are different types of Sherry: Fino, Oloroso and other types like Manzanilla, Cream Sherry, Pedro Jimenez to name a few.

Information

Other names: Jerez

Translations: Heress, Σέρυ, Cheresas, خمرة, Херес, シェリー, Šeri, Rượu vàng, שרי, Шери, 셰리주, स्पेन देश की सफ़ेद मदिरा, Jerez, Xerez, 雪利酒, Херес, Jerez, Шери

Physical Description

Sherry is considered an aperitif. Dry sherries can be served chilled, and sweet sherries for room temperature. Cooking sherries have salt added to increase its shelf life which is why it is not suitable for drinking.

Colors: pale straw-colored, gold, amber, dark mahogany

Tasting Notes

Flavors: sweet

Mouthfeel: Dry, Smooth

Food complements: Tapas, Seafood, Cheese, Ham

Wine complements: Brandy

Substitutes: White wine

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Choosing: It is important to take note on how much you plan to drink Sherry. Fino and Manzanilla are the most fragile types of Sherry and should be finished immediately after opening. Any remaining wine should be drunk the same day it was opened because it quickly losses its flavor.

Amontillados and Olorosos will keep for onger, as well as blended cream sherries or Pedro Ximenez.

Buying: Sherry is available in most supermarkets and liquor stores.

Procuring: not applicable

Preparation and Use

Once a sherry bottle is opened, it should be used immediately because the flavor starts to fade. It could be refrigerated to help keep it fresh.

Cleaning: not applicable

Conserving and Storing

Sherry should be stored upright in a cool dry place. Finos and Manzanilla are said to have a shorter shelf life and need to be consumed quickly after bottling or within 18-36 months. The Olorosos however can be stored for many years because they have more age and weight.

Social/Political

Sherry has a long history of serving the likes of Christopher Columbus to Shakespeare.

History: "Christopher Columbus brought sherry on his voyage to the New World and when Ferdinand Magellan prepared to sail around the world in 1519, he spent more on Sherry than on weapons." - Wikipedia