What Is Sherry? Your Guide to Spain’s Most Versatile Wine

Here at Reserve Wines, we like to think of sherry as one of the most character-packed and underrated wines on the shelf. Whether you’re after something bone-dry to enjoy with tapas or something lusciously sweet to round off dessert, sherry delivers with real personality and depth. Here’s everything you need to know about this fascinating fortified wine from southern Spain.

Where Is Sherry From?

Sherry is produced in the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry D.O.P. in Andalucía, Spain - specifically within the “sherry triangle” formed by Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. This area’s bright white albariza soils, rich in chalk and limestone, and its maritime climate are key to the region’s distinctive wines. The result is a style of wine that’s been refined for centuries and remains one of Spain’s greatest treasures.

How Is Sherry Made?

The principal grape behind most sherry is Palomino Fino, while Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel grapes are used for the sweeter styles. Once fermented, the wine is fortified with a neutral grape spirit and aged using the unique solera system - a network of barrels where younger wines are gradually blended with older ones to maintain consistency and complexity.

Sherry can be aged in two main ways:

• Biological ageing – under a natural layer of yeast known as flor, which protects the wine from oxygen. This produces pale, delicate styles such as Fino and Manzanilla.
• Oxidative ageing – where the wine is exposed to air, deepening its colour and flavour. This leads to richer, nutty styles like Amontillado and Oloroso.

The result is an incredible diversity of styles, from crisp and saline to dark, sweet and unctuous.

Wine aging under a layer of flor. Photo provided by the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Regulatory Council

Key Styles of Sherry

There’s a sherry for every mood and moment - here are the main types you’ll find, along with a few examples from our range:

• Fino – pale, bone-dry and crisp. A refreshing aperitif that pairs beautifully with tapas or grilled fish. Try the Fernando de Castilla Fino for a benchmark example.
• Manzanilla – similar to Fino but made by the sea in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, giving it a delicate saline edge. Diatomists Manzanilla Sherry is a brilliant example - super dry, bright and the perfect match for seafood.
• Amontillado – begins as a Fino and then continues ageing oxidatively, developing a gorgeous amber colour and nutty richness. Try Fernando de Castilla Classic Amontillado for layers of dried fruit and roasted almond character.
• Oloroso – aged entirely in contact with air, Oloroso is darker, fuller-bodied and deeply aromatic, showing notes of walnut, toffee and spice.
• Pedro Ximénez (PX) – intensely sweet and syrupy, made from sun-dried grapes. It’s liquid raisins in a glass - indulgent over vanilla ice cream or with a rich chocolate pudding.

Pairing Sherry with food. Photo provided by the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Regulatory Council.

Food Pairing Tips

Sherry is one of the most food-friendly wines out there - here’s how to make the most of it:

• Fino & Manzanilla – serve chilled alongside seafood, olives, salted almonds or classic tapas dishes.
• Amontillado – wonderful with cured meats, aged cheeses and anything with a savoury, nutty edge.
• Oloroso – pairs beautifully with game, slow-cooked meats and hearty stews.
• Pedro Ximénez – the ultimate dessert companion. Pour it over ice cream or enjoy with blue cheese and figs.

Dry sherries are best served chilled (around 6–8°C), while sweeter styles shine slightly warmer to reveal their full aroma and texture.

Why You Should Rediscover Sherry

Once seen as old-fashioned, sherry is now enjoying a well-deserved revival. Its range of flavours, versatility with food and unbeatable value make it a must-try for any wine lover. Whether you’re stocking up for Christmas or planning a weekend feast, there’s a style to suit every taste.

Explore our full Sherry Collection online and discover just how much character this Andalusian classic has to offer.

Inspired by information from sherry.wine — the official home of Sherry Wines.