Sherry is a wine that’s been around for centuries, but many people have never tried it.
The sherry you’re used to hearing about is the sweet sherry and if you’ve only ever had sherry once or twice before, chances are those were sweet sherry. But there’s more than just one type of sherry!
In this article, we’ll discuss dry sherry which has a very different taste from sweet sherry and can be much more enjoyable to drink.
What is Sherry?
Sherry is a fortified wine that comes from the Jerez region of Spain.
The wine is made by adding brandy to the wine which stops the fermentation process and makes the wine stronger. There are different types of sherry, but the most popular type is sweet sherry.
What is Dry Sherry?
Dry sherry is a type of sherry that’s made without added sugar. It has a much drier taste than sweet sherry and can be more pleasurable to drink.
How Does Dry Sherry Taste?
Dry sherry tastes like a dry white wine with hints of nuts and spices. It’s not as sweet as sweet sherry, so if you’re not a fan of sugary wines, then dry sherry might be more up your alley.
Where Can I Buy Dry Sherry?
Dry sherry is available at most liquor stores. You can also find it online or at wine shops.
What is the difference between cooking sherry and regular sherry?
Cooking sherry is a dry, fortified wine that is made specifically for cooking. It has a higher alcohol content than regular sherry, and it also has a slightly different flavor.
Cooking sherry can be used in sauces, marinades, or as an ingredient in recipes.
Regular sherry can also be used for cooking, but it doesn’t have the same high alcohol content as cooking sherry. So if you are looking for a wine to cook with, you should use cooking sherry instead of regular sherry.
What are some good recipes that use Sherry?
There are many delicious recipes that include Sherry as an ingredient. Some examples include chicken marsala with Sherry sauce, beef bourguignon, and coq au vin.
What size bottle should I buy?
You can purchase sherry in either a large 750 ml or small 375 ml bottle.
If you are planning to cook with the wine, then we recommend buying cooking sherry that comes in a larger container because it will last longer than regular sherry that is stored in smaller bottles.
For serving purposes, you could choose either one depending on your preference since both sizes come at relatively affordable prices.
How Strong is Fortified Wine?
Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content than standard wines. Some dry, white fortified wines may have an ABV of 18%, while sweet and sparkling variations can reach over 20%. To put that into perspective, most beers range from around four to six percent ABV (alcohol by volume), and the average glass of red or white table wine is between 12% and 14%. Talk about getting your buzz on!
Types of Dry Sherry Wine
There are several types of dry sherry wine including fino, manzanilla, and amontillado.
All dry Sherry wines originate in Spain, but many can be found throughout the world at your local liquor store or online retailer.
- Fino is a white dry wine made by adding brandy to the grape before it ferments. The resulting product has less than 0.05% alcohol content after fermentation so no other spirits need apply!
- Manzanilla is also known as “the poor mans Fino” because it uses yeast that was originally used for making Fino (hence its name). This dry sherry makes up nearly 80 percent of all production in Sanlucar de Barrameda alone each year.
- Amontillado dry Sherry is aged in barrels for a longer period of time than Fino wines. The result is sherry with more wood character and less fruitiness while maintaining dryness. Amontillado dry Sherries are favored by some sherry drinkers over the other styles due to their creamy nuttiness on the palate.
Summary
Sherry can be enjoyed chilled before dinner or throughout your meal as an alternative to white wine (or red wine) if you like something dryer but not too dry that it tastes bitter or acidic.
It pairs wonderfully with all kinds of cuisine including seafood dishes, salads, cheeses, meats, and even chocolate desserts!
We’re so glad you never gave up on this underrated wine! Cheers to trying something new and enjoying a dry sherry wine today!