Sherry (Jerez)

Fortified wine from the Palomino grape near Cádiz, ranging from bone-dry (Fino, Manzanilla) to rich and sweet (Pedro Ximénez). Fortified after fermentation is complete, so base styles are naturally dry; sweetness in some styles comes from blending in sweet wine afterward. Fino and Manzanilla age under a protective layer of yeast (flor) for a distinctive tangy, saline character; Oloroso ages oxidatively for a nuttier, darker profile.

Profile

Fino/Manzanilla: tangy, saline, bone-dry. Oloroso: nutty, darker, oxidative. Pedro Ximénez: rich and sweet.

Notable Examples

Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez.

Sherry (Fino/Manzanilla) with olives, almonds, and cured ham is a reliable classic pairing.