We can’t get enough of sherry

Sherry sherry lady... at Las Tapas De Lola we just can't seem to get enough of sherry and all the amazing tapas to pair too! Click here to find out more...

Sherry is a fortified wine made from grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez, Spain. The word “sherry” is an anglicised translation of “Jerez”.

Spanish law states that all wine labelled “sherry” must legally come from what is known as the “Sherry Triangle”, an area in the province of Cádiz between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda & El Puerto de Santa María.

After fermentation is complete, sherry is fortified with brandy. As the fortification takes place after the fermentation, most sherries are initially dry, with any sweetness added later. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry, light versions such as finos to darker and heavier versions known as olorosos. All are made from Palomino grape.

The girls on tour in Jerez

Anna & Vanessa did a tour of the Sherry Triangle before opening Lola. We learnt that sherry is a perfect match for such dishes as olivas, jamón or manchego as a little aperitivo before dinner. Or the sweet sherry such as Pedro Ximénez sips beautifully with cheese and / or dessert.

Delish with anchovies

Styles of Sherry

• Fino is the driest & palest of the tradicional varieties of sherry. The wine is aged in barrels under a cap of yeast to prevent contact with the air.
• Manzanilla is an especially light variety of sherry made around the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
• En Rama To obtain the purest sherry “en Rama” involves bottling the wine straight from the cask with no additional treatment. This process usually takes place in Spring, when the layer of living yeast reaches its zenith. The sherry’s natural character is fully maintained & the resulting wine is one of great personality, influenced by the microclimates of the city in which it’s aged.
• Amontillado is a variety of sherry that is aged under yeast, but is then exposed to oxigen, producing a sherry that is darker than the fino & manzanilla but lighter than oloroso. Naturally dry, they are sometimes sold lightly sweetened.
• Oloroso is a variety of sherry that is been aged in the presence of air for a longer time than amontillado, producing a darker & richer wine. With alcohol levels between 18-20%, olorosos are the most alcoholic sherries. They’re naturally dry and are often also sold in sweetened versions.
• Palo Cortado is a variety of sherry that’s initially aged as an amontillado, typically for three or four years, but which subsequently develops a character closer to an oloroso. This either happens by accident when the yeast (flor) dies, or commonly the yeast is killed by fortification or filtration.
• Sweet Sherries are made by fermenting dry Pedro Ximénez or Moscatel grapes, which produce an intensely sweet drak brown or black wine. Cream sherry is a common type of sweet sherry made by blending diferent wines.

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