Dry Sherry: Styles, Serving and Pairings
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Instructions 👩🍳
Step-by-step:
- Chill the sherry: Place the dry sherry in the fridge and prepare a clean wine glass. Follow the illustrated recipe for the exact serving details.
- Pour and serve: Pour the sherry into the glass and serve it chilled, without mixing in other ingredients.
Dry Sherry: a chilled aperitif with a savory side
A glass of dry sherry, a few olives and something salty to nibble: a relaxed start to a tapas evening. The bottle you choose makes all the difference. Fino is delicate and fresh, while Oloroso brings a fuller, nuttier flavor to the table.
Choose the style you enjoy
Dry sherry covers several styles. Fino matures under a layer of yeast called flor, which helps protect the wine from oxidation. Oloroso ages in contact with air and develops deeper, nutty aromas. Their differences are part of the appeal, so check the style on the label rather than expecting every dry sherry to taste alike.
A wine glass gives the aromas room
Serve the wine on its own in a clean, stemmed white wine glass with a generous bowl. Leave room above the pour so you can enjoy the aromas. Fino suits thorough chilling; fuller styles such as Oloroso are generally served less cold. Follow the producer's advice for your bottle and hold the glass by the stem.
Let the glass guide you
Start with a small pour in a roomy glass. Smell the wine, then take a sip before choosing a bite of food. Notice how its aroma changes as it warms slightly; top up from the bottle instead of filling the glass to the brim.
Try a different dry style
For an optional comparison, serve Fino and Oloroso in separate glasses. Taste them alongside the same snack so their lighter and fuller flavors are easy to compare. Choosing a different style changes the wine itself; no mixer is needed.
Bring out a few tapas
Olives, almonds and cooked seafood suit Fino. Hard cheese and mushroom dishes work well with the fuller flavor of Oloroso. Keep perishable tapas chilled until serving. For another aperitif, pastis offers an anise flavor and is served with cold water and ice.
Look after the opened bottle
Keep bottles upright, away from light and large temperature changes. Reseal opened sherry firmly; opened Fino belongs in the refrigerator. The style and producer's guidance determine how best to store and use the wine. Its aroma changes after opening, so an opened bottle should not be treated as something that keeps indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions
Is all sherry sweet?
No. Fino and dry Oloroso are examples of dry styles. Check the label when choosing a bottle.
Do I need a small sherry glass?
No. A stemmed white wine glass with enough room for the aromas is a good choice.
Should every dry sherry be equally cold?
No. Fino is served well chilled, while fuller styles generally need less chilling. Use the bottle's serving guidance.