W3 Wine School

Sherry Amontillado (Spain)

Amontillado is a Dry Sherry.

Sherry is a fortified white wine from Jerez in Southern Spain.

Sherry

Sherry served with a Venenciador

Amontillado Flavors

Amontillado has aromas of Hazelnut, Aromatic Herbs and Dark Tobacco, with notes of Fresh Bread, Yeast and Wood.

Walnuts
Wallnuts
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts
Herbs
Aromatic
Herbs
Caramel
Caramel
Yeast
Yeast
Chocolate
Chocolate
Tobacco
Tobacco
Oak
Oak

Amontillado Profile

Sherry Amontillado is a Full-Bodied, Dry Sherry with a well balanced Acidity.

SUGAR:3 g/l
BODY:Medium - Full
ACIDITY:Medium Plus
ALCOHOL18%
Temperature Serving temperature:
12°C
53°F

Amontillado Food Pairing

Amontillados rich profile makes it an excellent choice for pairing many dishes.

Salad
Fresh
Salad
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Game
Game
Fowl
Fowl
Pate
Paté
Ham
Ham
Cheese
Mature
Cheese

Salad

Fresh Salad. Vinaigrette Dressing. Grilled Vegetables.

Grilled Meat

Roast Beef. Roast Lamb. Lamb Cutlets. Pork Chops.

Game

Venison. Brased Rabbit.
Roast Duck. Roast Fowl (Chicken). Pigeon.

Cured Meat

Jamón Ibérico (Iberico Ham). Serrano Ham. Bresaola (Dried salted beef)
Prosciutto Crudo (Italian dry cured ham). Chorizo. Salami.

Umami

Foie Gras. Paté. Meat Stews. Oxtail Stew.
Casseroles. Spicy Meatballs.
Truffle Dishes. Wild Mushrooms.
Stuffed Mushrooms. Mushroom Risotto.

Cheese

Hard Aged Cheeses. Mature Gouda. Comté. Gruyère. Manchego.

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.

Sherry Styles

Sherry can be Dry or Sweet.

Sherry can be aged with or without Flor.

Most types are produced from the local Palomino grape.

Dry Sherrys (Generosos) comes in 3 Main Styles:

(Sugar in grams/litre)

StyleGrapeFloorSugarAlcohol
FinoPalominoYes0-515-18%
AmontilladoPalominoHybrid0-518-20%
OlorosoPalominoNo0-518-22%

Sweet Sherrys (Generosos de Licor) comes in 4 styles:

StyleGrapeFlorSugarAlcohol
Pale CreamPalominoYes45-11515-20%
Medium DryPalominoHybrid5-4516-22%
Medium SweetPalominoHybrid45-11516-22%
CreamPalominoNo115-14016-22%

Natural Sweet Sherrys (Dulces Naturales):

StyleGrapeFlorSugarAlcohol
Pedro XiménezPedro Ximénez (PX)No212+15-22%
Moscatel Moscatel de AlejandriaNo160+15-22%

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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