--Jerez saying
What is one of the tastiest, most intriguing, and unique wines that you're probably not drinking? It's most likely Sherry, a fascinating fortified wine from a small region of southern Spain.
As a long-term lover and fervent advocate of Sherry, I enjoy taking the opportunity, to spread my passion for this wine, to intrigue others to give it a try. Sherry remains a niche beverage in the U.S., and most of the Sherry imported into the U.S. is sweet. As such, many Americans, including many wine lovers, have not encountered the myriad joys of dry Sherry. It's dry Sherry which is enjoyed the most in Spain, and there must be a very good reason for that fact.
In less than two weeks, I'll be opening my oldest Sherry, the Bodegas Yuste Conde de Aldama Palo Cortado, which is said to be at least an average age of 130-150 years old. I previously wrote about their Amontillado, referring to it as "perfection in a bottle." You can check out that prior article for a lengthy and interesting history of these ancient Sherries.
It's extremely difficult to find these Sherries any longer, and I'd buy more myself if I could find them. Fortunately, I still have several in my cellar, so I can enjoy them a few more times. How much do you think you would pay for a wine of that great age? $500? $1000? More? You might be shocked to learn I paid less than $200 a bottle for these Sherries, making them a superb value as well. One of the reasons I paid such a low amount may be due to the relatively low demand for Sherry.
Take a chance and buy a dry Sherry, to expand your palate and taste something new. You can thank me later when you find a new favorite.
Sherry sales have been on a decline for years but recent reports indicate it may be making a tentative comeback. In April 2025, a Sherry article in Forbes stated, "Sales of sherry have declined since its heyday. People drink less but are more demanding and ask for higher quality. Premium sherry is increasing its sales; inexpensive sherries and cream sherries (many will remember Bristol Cream) are decreasing." A November 2024 article in Sherry Notes also indicated that sales of sweet Sherries have been continuing to decline, but sales of dry Sherries have been faring better, although mainly Fino and Manzanilla Sherries.
As I've written in my History of Sherry, it's a cyclic wine, which has undergone numerous ups and downs through the years, and has always founds a way back up. So, I can easily understand why Sherry consumption might see another upward swing in the future. More consumers definitely need to explore the diversity and wonders of Sherry.
Sherry education is essential to the promotion of Sherry consumption, to get more Americans exploring this intriguing fortified wine. Here are some items that hopefully will motivate you to discover more about Sherry.
Unfortunately, most restaurants rarely list Sherries on their wine lists, and when they do, it's commonly on their Dessert wine list, where they offer sweet versions. Have you ever dined at a restaurant where the sommelier recommended a Sherry with your appetizers or entree? Probably not, unless you have dined at a local Spanish restaurant, and even then, although they might have Sherries on their wine list, they still rarely seem to recommend them to diners.
As I've written in my History of Sherry, it's a cyclic wine, which has undergone numerous ups and downs through the years, and has always founds a way back up. So, I can easily understand why Sherry consumption might see another upward swing in the future. More consumers definitely need to explore the diversity and wonders of Sherry.
Sherry education is essential to the promotion of Sherry consumption, to get more Americans exploring this intriguing fortified wine. Here are some items that hopefully will motivate you to discover more about Sherry.
- The Sherry region has a lengthy, fascinating history, extending back a few thousand years and may even the source of the Atlantis legend.
- Palomino, the primary grape of Sherry, may have been planted by the ancient Phoenicians. Every sip of Sherry is a taste of history.
- Sherry may have been the first wine brought to the New World.
- The Mayflower, before it sailed to the New World by the Puritans, was used to transport Sherry.
- Aged Sherry is one of the best values in the wine world. You could buy 50 year old Sherry for $50-$100, far cheaper than almost any other aged wine on the market.
- Francois Chartier, who has written on the science of food and wine pairings, states that Fino Sherry is the "King of Food Pairings."
- A Sherry Bodega is radically different from the average wine cellar, helping to make Sherry possess its distinctive nature.
- Here are 10 Things you should know about Sherry.
- And here are 5 More Things you should know about Sherry.
Unfortunately, most restaurants rarely list Sherries on their wine lists, and when they do, it's commonly on their Dessert wine list, where they offer sweet versions. Have you ever dined at a restaurant where the sommelier recommended a Sherry with your appetizers or entree? Probably not, unless you have dined at a local Spanish restaurant, and even then, although they might have Sherries on their wine list, they still rarely seem to recommend them to diners.
Locally, the best place to enjoy Sherry is at Taberna de Haro in Brookline, which may have the largest Sherry list in the region. Some of the other Spanish restaurants in the Boston+ area also have a few Sherries on their wine lists too. Non-Spanish restaurants need to embrace Sherry too, especially considering how well it pairs with a wide variety of foods. The popularity of Sherry would grow if more restaurants and wine stores promoted it.
Take a chance and buy a dry Sherry, to expand your palate and taste something new. You can thank me later when you find a new favorite.
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