What is Sherry?
Sherry is a fortified white wine with roots from Jerez De La Frontera in Spain. This elite liquor is one of the oldest in the world and is made from Palomino grapes with a dash of distilled alcohol to increase its alcohol concentration. There are many brews of this exquisite wine out there, and you must want the best of the bunch, right?
There are many reports on how sherry tastes. Some claim it has notes of walnut and caramel or biscuit and almond, depending on how it was brewed. Other sources say it can either be sweet, medium, or dry. Either way, there are two major taste categories of sherry: dry sherry wines— like Parlotillado and Amontillado— and sweet sherry wines— like Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez. Also, the average alcohol content of sherry is about 20%, which makes it perfect for sipping and cooking.
Sherry wines are great, but you have to select the best the market can offer for you to enjoy peak value. This guide will help you do just that.
What Factors Should You Consider When Shopping for Sherry?
A couple of things affect the quality and composition of sherry wines, and it is vital to know them if you want to select the best for yourself. So, here’s a shortlist of the factors to put at the back of your mind when sherry shopping.
Sugar Level
Sugar level is a vital factor to consider when shopping for sherry. If you want to avoid sugar and still enjoy a glass of exquisite sherry liquor, dry sherry wines are your best bet. They contain zero residue sugar, which makes them tasteless. If you have no issues with sugar, then you can go with sweet sherry wines. They come with a considerable amount of sugar which makes them endearing to the palate. The thing about sweet sherry wines is that their sugar can either be natural or synthetic.
Taste and Flavor
It’s a no-brainer for the flavor to influence your choice of sherry wine. And although we said dry wines are typically tasteless, some variations have incredible tastes and aftertastes. For example, some dry sherry wines like Manzallina leave an elegant bitter aftertaste. In addition, Amontillado tastes like hazelnut, while some styles of Olorosos come with notes of salted caramel and almonds, figs, citrus, or apple. When it comes to sweet wines, the flavors are endless, and you’re free to select any flavor of choice. Simply request your ideal flavor or check the side of the sherry wine bottle.
Alcohol Content
Sherry wines are products of complete or incomplete fermentation, so they typically contain reasonable amounts of alcohol. In some cases, distilled alcohol is added to raise alcohol content. The alcohol level of sherry wine is usually indicated on the bottle, so you can select anyone based on how well you can hold your liquor. This is to say that choosing the best alcohol content in sherry wine is, once again, purely based on your discretion.
Color
Sherry comes in many color variations for you to choose and there are no specific rules or guidelines for selection. The most common sherry wine colors include pale to sharp straw yellow (biologically aged wines) and dark opaque mahogany (sweet sherry). Other sherry wine colors include intense amber, dark gold, and chestnut brown. This also means that you could also determine the sugar content of a bottle of sherry wine by its color.
Aroma
Aroma is an inconsequential factor in selecting sherry wines, but a factor nonetheless. The aroma of a bottle of sherry varies on its composition and brewing process. Some of the most common sherry wine aromas are caramel, walnut, iodine, and old navy rum.
Purpose
Consider what you want to use the sherry for before buying it. If you’ll simply be enjoying your bottle of sherry at dinner or with a piece of cake, then you can go for regular drinking sherry. However, if you plan to cook with your sherry, then cooking sherry should be your go-to. It comes with a higher salt content than drinking sherry, which significantly increases its shelf life. If you can’t find any cooking sherry, you can make do with dry sherry— that way, you can cook your favorite meal with sherry while sipping on good liquor.
FAQs
Q: Can sherry lose its flavor?
A: Yes. Sherry can spoil and lose its ideal flavor, just like other wines. This happens especially when it is opened and exposed to air. Most bottles can last up to 18 months, while darker and thicker Sherry types like Amontillado and Oloroso may last up to 36 months.
Q: How can I preserve sherry?
A: The best way to preserve the quality of sherry is to keep it in a cold and dry place like a cellar. After opening a bottle of sherry, you can maintain its quality by storing it in a refrigerator and using a cork to prevent oxygen entry. However, this would only be delaying the inevitable, as most sherries will spoil after 2-3 days of opening.
Q: Is it reasonable to store sherry on its side?
A: No. It is best to store sherry standing up to limit the amount of air getting into the bottle, increasing its shelf-life. This method also prevents the cork or stopper from degrading.
Q: How can I tell if sherry has gone bad?
A: The best indications of the quality and state of sherry are taste and aroma. Bad sherry typically has a vinegar-like smell and bland or unusual taste due to oxidation. Also, if you find sediments at the bottom of the sherry bottle or black specks at the top, then it has probably gone bad.
Q: How much does a bottle of sherry cost?
A: The value of sherry depends on the brand, composition, brewing process, and of course, age. Average sherry costs between $10 - $30, while the good stuff may cost up to $50 or more.