Sherry, like many wines, takes its name from the place in which it is produced. Sherry is a DO wine, a protected Denominación de Origen. In this case it is produced in the Sherry triangle which covers the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María, located in Andalucía. The DO status guarantees that any wine produced in that region with the label Sherry is made according to a set of guidelines guaranteeing its authenticity.

Sherry is a fortified wine which means that the fermentation process of the grape is stopped with the addition of a high alcohol "brandy". This stops the fermentation of the sugars on the skins of the grapes and produces a final wine with a higher alcohol level.

Sherry styles
Sherry comes in two main styles: dry and sweet. Depending on the style, different grapes are used to get the final taste and finish jut right. For drier sherries, Palomino is the perfect grape. For the sweeter Sherry styles, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel are used. Moscatel is a grape variety which you might recognise from other regions of the world - it's popular in Valencia, for example, and in parts of France.

Tastes and aromas - the influence of the sea
Sherry's salty, nutty taste and aromas come from the environment in which it is nourished and aged. The winds that alleviate the heat in this hot part of Spain bring in the saltiness from the sea and add to the flavour profile of Sherry. Like whiskey and brandy, sherry is aged in a barrel system, known as solera, which blends wines from various vintages to create a wine in line with regulations, taste profiles and house styles.

Food pairing
Coming from a country which brought tapas to the world, Sherry's nutty, salty or sweet palate means that it pairs wonderfully with all of your favourite Spanish tapas. From Manchego cheese, walnuts or Salmorejo with Fino Sherry to Palo cortado with duck or a saltier Manzanilla with cod. A sweet Pedro Ximénez is divine with cooked apples, cooked pears or icecream - serve drizzled on top for a luscious contrast of flavours! Or simply serve a glass of Pedro Ximénez or Oloroso on its own.

Sherry can be found all over Spain but it is more likely to be found in bars and restaurants in Andalucía. If you have a second home in Cádiz or on the Costa de la Luz, a day trip to a Sherry producer is easy to do to learn more about this ever-popular drink. Make sure you stock up on fabulous cheeses, ham and local bread on your way home to enjoy a glass like the locals do!

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