Sherry

Sherry, Xeres or Xeres wine is a Spanish fortified wine that undergoes aging through the Solera System. Solera is similar to a pyramid where the oldest wines at the bottom are supplemented by the younger barrels above.

These wines come from the regions of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlùcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria in Andalusia. Only matured in one of these cities, the wine can call itself Sherry.

• Fino; This is a light, fresh and dry sherry with a light almond taste, a light yellow color and an alcohol percentage of 15%.

• Manzanilla; This is a kind of fino, made on the Atlantic Ocean around Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Light, fresh and dry and a bit salty in taste due to the aging close to the sea. It has a straw yellow color and contains 15% alcohol.

• Amontillado; A dry and aromatic sherry with hints of hazelnut, amber in color and contains 16%-20% alcohol.

• Palo Cortado; This is a sherry between the Amontillado and Oloroso. Complex, penetrating and refined with an alcohol percentage of 18%-20%. Technically, this is a lighter, more elegant version of Oloroso.

• Oloroso; a dry and full sherry with a sweetish taste in the beginning. Is amber or mahogany in color. and has an alcohol content of 17%-22%.

• Medium dry; This sherry is a bit sweet with notes of nuts and at the same time full and aromatic. Almost always a blend of Amontillado and Pedro Ximenez. Has an amber color and contains 15%-17.5% alcohol. Sugar content: 5-45 g./l.

• Pale cream; a blend of Fino and reduced grape must. It has a slightly sweet and spicy aroma. Contains a light nut and honey flavor and has a pale yellow color. With 17.5% alcohol. Sugar content: 45-115 g./l.

• Medium sweet; Sweet with a nutty taste, but also full and aromatic. Often a blend of Amontillado or Oloroso with Pedro Ximenez. Has an amber color and contains 15%-17.5% alcohol. Sugar content: 45-115 g./l.

• Cream Sherry; usually a mixture of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. Tastes like nuts and raisins with a velvety sweet taste. Has a very brown color with 15.5%-20% alcohol. Sugar content: 115-140 g./l. Good to combine with desserts with chocolate.

• Pedro Ximenez; a full-bodied and powerful sherry with a very sweet taste. Has a light aroma of raisins and is almost syrup. Is very dark in color with 17.5% alcohol. Sugar content: more than 220 g/l.