W3 Wine School

Sweet Sherry (Spain)

Sherry

Sherry is a fortified white wine made in Andalusia, Southern Spain.

Serving Temperature Sweet Sherry

Temperature 10-12°C (50-53°F) Cream/Medium
12-14°C (53-57°F) Pedro Ximénez
12-14°C (53-57°F) Moscatel

Sweet Sherry Styles

Sweet Sherry comes in 3 styles:

StyleGrapeColor
Cream/MediumPalomino Mixed
Pedro Ximénez (PX)Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel Moscatel de Alejandria

Typical Flavors

Lemon Zest
Lemon
Zest
Orange Zest
Citrus
Floral
Floral
Apricot
Apricot
Dried Figs
Dried Figs
Raisins
Raisins
Dried Fruit
Dried Fruit
Nuts
Nuts
Honey
Honey
Aromatic Herbs
Aromatic Herbs
Coffee
Coffee
Licorice
Licorice
Tobacco
Tobacco
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Coconut
Coconut
Vanilla
Vanilla

Typical flavors of Sweet Sherry wines are: Dry Fruit. Citrus. Floral. Honey. Herbal. Pine. Licorice. Coffee. Spices. Coconut and Oak added Scents.

Food Pairing Cream/Medium Sherry

Aperitif
Aperitif
Paté
Paté
Pastry
Pastry
Cheese
Mature
Cheese

Sherry Cream/Medium can be an aperitif served with ice and it is a good match with Paté. Foie Gras. Mature Cheese (Gouda. Comté. Gruyère. Manchego). Fruit Salads. Pastry and Fruit Pies. Coffee after Dinner.

Food Pairing Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry

Paté
Paté
Pastry
Pastry
Chocolate
Dark
Chocolate
Cheese
Blue
Cheese

Sherry Pedro Ximénez (PX) is a good match with Paté. Foie Gras. Pastry and Fruit Pies. Cheesecakes. Christmas Pudding. Chocolate Desserts. Crepes. Strawberries and Vanilla Ice Cream. Brownies. Caramel Ice Cream. Pungent Blue Cheese.

Food Pairing Moscatel Sherry

Fruit
Fruit
Biscuits
Biscuits
Pastry
Pastry
Chocolate
Dark
Chocolate

Sherry Moscatel is a good match with Fruit Salads. Candied Fruit. Citrusy Pastry and Fruit Pies. Lemon Biscuits. Lemon Cheesecakes. Ice Cream (Vanilla). Chocolate Desserts. Brownies. Dark Chocolate.

About Sherry

Sherry is a fortified white wine from the region of Jerez in Andalusia, Southern Spain: one of the most southerly winegrowing regions in Europe (latitude 36º North).

Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria mark the three corners of the famous "Sherry Triangle".

The sea breeze, the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the hot and dry climate, the 3 soils (Albariza, Barros, Arenas), the typical grapes (Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel) and biological aging are the secrets to make Sherry.

Albariza soil covers 90% of the Jerez Sherry vineyards.

In spite of the hot and dry climate, in the DO Sherry it is not permitted irrigation.

The special chalky soil stores the winter rainfall and distributes the moisture to the vines during the dry season. Also the sea winds bring moist to the vines.

Wine Region Andalucia

Vinos DO de Andalucía

There are 7 DO wine regions in Andalucia:

  • D.O.P. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry (1932)
  • D.O.P. Málaga (1932)
  • D.O.P. Montilla-Moriles (1932)
  • D.O.P. Condado de Huelva (1962)
  • D.O.P. Manzanilla-Sanlúcar (1964)
  • D.O.P. Sierras de Málaga (2001)
  • D.O.P. Granada (2018)

The Sherry Triangle

The 3 corners of the famous Sherry Triangle:

  • Jerez de la Frontera
  • Sanlúcar de Barrameda
  • El Puerto de Santa Maria
DO Jerez

Jerez de la Frontera is a city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in Andalusia in Spain. It is famous for its fortified Sherry wines.

The Sherry Triangle (Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) in the province of Cádiz, is renowned for producing Sherry, a fortified wine made primarily from Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel grapes.

Sherry is produced using a unique aging process known as the solera system, which involves fractional blending of wines from different vintages.

The region's chalky albariza soils, warm climate, and coastal influences contribute to the distinctive flavors and styles of Sherry, including Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez.

Climate

Jerez has specific climatic conditions. The winters are mild and the summers very hot and sunny (temperatures often hit 40º C).

In spite of the hot climate, the amount of rain Jerez receives is high. With 650 mm per year, it can compete with England.

Soil Soil

Soil

Albariza soil covers 90% of the Jerez Sherry vineyards. This chalky soil stores the winter rain and distributes the moisture to the vines in the dry season.

Winds

From the Atlantic, the Poniente brings humidity and a cooling effect. The Levante from the Spanish inland, brings hot air and drier conditions. The two winds meet in Jerez and contribute to the peculiar environmental conditions that allow the unique biological ageing of Sherry wines.


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