How To Drink Sherry? (Serving, Food Pairings, Cocktails, Shelf Life)
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain.
There would be variations in style based on the Sherry production process and the grape varieties used. This could range from dry and nutty like Fino to sweet and fruity like cream Sherry.
And, each one should be served at the best temperature, with the right dishes, and in the right glass so that you can take your drinking experience to the next level!
So, let’s explore how to drink Sherry based on the different wine styles, some great food pairings, and what glasses to use for serving. We’ll also tell you how to make 3 delightful Sherry cocktail drinks.
Further reading
- Explore the world of Sherry and Discover its Styles, Flavours, and the Best Bottles.
- Check out this Simple Guide on the Different Fortified Wine Styles.
How to Drink Sherry? (Serving Temperature, Food Pairings & Shelf Life Based on Wine Style)
To get the most out of your Sherry and its delicious flavor, you should know the right serving temperature. We’ll also tell you the shelf life of the different Sherry wine styles below, and what food to serve with them.
- Fino (Manzanilla) Sherry
- Amontillado Sherry
- Palo Cortado Sherry
- Oloroso Sherry
- Pedro Ximénez (PX)
- Cream Sherry
- Pale Cream Sherry
1. Fino (Manzanilla) Sherry
Fino Sherry is a light-colored, dry, and savory wine produced in the Jerez and El Puerto de Santa María regions. It’s the driest of the traditional Sherry wine styles, aged in a barrel under flor (layer of dead yeast cells protecting the wine from oxidizing).
Fino from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (coastal town in Spain) is labeled as Manzanilla Sherry. Manzanilla is usually lighter than the traditional Fino Sherry.
However, both Sherry wines are produced from the Palomino grape variety and have a 15-17% alcohol content.
Serving temperature: Serve your Fino (Manzanilla) Sherry at around 7-9°C (similar to white wine).
Food pairings:Fino and Manzanilla Sherry are great aperitifs that you can enjoy on their own or with a tapa appetizer with nuts, prawns, and salty cheese.
Shelf life after opening: You can store Fino and Manzanilla for a few days to a week if refrigerated with a cork.
2. Amontillado Sherry
Amontillado fortified wine is a dry Sherry produced from the Palomino grape variety that goes through a multi-step aging process.
This type of Sherry wine has 16-17% alcohol content and a distinct hazelnut flavor.
Serving temperature: Take out your Amontillado Sherry bottle from the refrigerator a little while before drinking and serve it slightly chilled, close to 13°C.
Food pairings: Pair Amontillado with mushroom dishes, cured meats, and smoked duck or chicken.
Shelf life after opening: After the sealed bottle of Amontillado Sherry is opened, you can store the wine for a few months in a cool dark place with a cork.
3. Palo Cortado Sherry
Palo Cortado, a rare Sherry type, is produced when the protective flor of the Fino wine dies out and natural oxidation begins and changes the flavor.
The oxidation makes it quite similar to Amontillado on the nose with delicate pungent crispness. The palate is similar to that of Oloroso Sherry with savory notes and pleasant intensity.
Palo Cortado has an alcohol content of 17-22%.
Serving temperature: Serve the Palo Cortado Sherry at a temperature between 12-14°C in a white wine glass.
Food pairings: A Palo Cortado Sherry pairs perfectly with grilled fish or aged cheese.
Shelf life after opening: You can store the Palo Cortado Sherry wine for a week to a few months at a cool temperature with no fluctuations.
4. Oloroso Sherry
Oloroso Sherry is a full-bodied wine made by intentional oxidization. It has a savory and umami flavor and has high alcohol levels (17-22%).
Serving temperature: Serve the Oloroso Sherry chilled at around 10-14°C.
Food pairings: Pair it with pork meat, casseroles, or matured cheese.
Shelf life after opening:An Oloroso Sherry can last for 4-6 weeks in a dark, cool environment with a cork stopper.
5. Pedro Ximénez (PX)
This is a dessert wine produced from the Pedro Ximénez grape variety. It’s an acidic, sweet Sherry made by allowing the Pedro Ximénez grapes to dry out and turn into raisins before fermentation.
This kind of wine has a 15-22% alcohol content and a predominant dried fruit flavour.
Serving temperature:Drink your Pedro Ximénez at room temperature or slightly chilled around 13-14°C.
Food pairings: Enjoy it alongside mince pie or drizzle it over vanilla ice cream.
Shelf life after opening:A month or two if kept in a dark, cool environment with no temperature fluctuations. Cap the bottle with a cork.
6. Cream Sherry
Cream Sherry is an Oloroso sweetened with Pedro Ximénez or Moscatel wine. This wine has a sweet, nutty flavour, delicate hints of caramel, and 15.5-22% ABV.
Serving temperature:You can serve Cream Sherry at a temperature of 11-12°C.
Food pairings: Pair it with delicious fruits such as pears and sweet apples or cheese.
Shelf life after opening:The Cream Sherry can last for 1-2 months in a cool space with no temperature fluctuations and capped with a cork.
7. Pale Cream Sherry
Pale Cream Sherry is a rare wine style. It’s a Fino Sherry sweetened with concentrated grape juice and high alcohol content of 15.5-22%.
This sweet Sherry is quite light, with hints of hazelnut.
Serving temperature: Serve Pale Cream Sherry at 9°-10°C.
Food pairings: Pair this Sherry with some white chocolate mint mousse, Sherry trifle, blue cheese salad, and sweet popcorn.
Shelf life after opening: Once the sealed bottle is opened, the Pale Cream Sherry can last 4-6 weeks if stored at a cool temperature with a cork.
What Glass to Use For Drinking Sherry
It’s best to serve Sherry in a Sherry glass.
But, to relish the complex aromas of the wine, you can also serve it in a wine glass with a wide mouth. For example, a small 3-ounce white wine glass should work well.
Besides drinking it directly, you can also whip up some refreshing cocktails with your Sherry!
3 Delicious Sherry Cocktail Recipes
If you love cocktail drinks, make sure to put your Sherry bottle to good use! Here are some easy Sherry cocktail recipe options:
1. Sherry Cobbler
For this recipe, add 4 fluid ounces of Amontillado Sherry (or any dark Cream Sherry), 1⁄2 fluid ounces of simple syrup, and 3-4 orange slices with a few ice chunks in a tumbler. Then vigorously shake it.
Strain the drink in a glass with crushed ice in it. Once done, add garnishes like summer berries, mint, and orange.
2. Up-To-Date
To make this cocktail, blend 1 1⁄4 fluid ounces of Amontillado Sherry and rye whiskey in a shaker with 1⁄2 fluid ounces of Grand Marnier. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to it.
Then strain the mix in a coupe glass with a lemon peel garnish.
3. Adonis
To make an Adonis cocktail, add 11⁄2 fluid ounces of Oloroso Sherry and sweet Vermouth (aromatized fortified wine) with two pinches of orange bitters and ice in a mixer. Stir it well.
Once done, strain the drink in a chilled glass and add an orange peel as garnish.
Time For Some Sherry and Tapas!
Pick your favorite Sherry style and pair it with a dessert, tapa assortment, or cheese.
And if you’re looking to add an investment-worthy vintage Sherry bottle to your collection, the Vinovest website might be just what you need. They‘ll help you find, store, and sell authentic Sherry and other fine wines from across the globe!
