Say "sherry" abroad and many people picture a sweet Christmas bottle. Real sherry — Jerez — is one of the most versatile and underpriced wines in the world, and a reliable sign of a Spanish restaurant that knows what it is doing.
The styles, driest to sweetest
- Fino & Manzanilla — bone dry, crisp, saline. Serve cold with olives, almonds and jamón.
- Amontillado — dry but nutty; brilliant with soups and mushrooms.
- Oloroso — rich, savoury, still usually dry; loves red meat and stews.
- Pedro Ximénez — intensely sweet dessert sherry, poured over ice cream.
The pairing that converts everyone
A chilled fino with a plate of jamón and pimientos de Padrón is the gateway. In summer, order a rebujito — fino stretched with soda over ice, the drink of Andalusian ferias.
Where to drink sherry abroad
- Bar 44 in Cardiff builds its menus around produce like San Lúcar prawns and aged manzanilla.
- Casita Miró in Auckland is built on shared tapas and raciones with a sherry list.
- 22 Ships in Central, Hong Kong, puts sherry and vermouth cocktails on its Spanish drinks menu.
- MoVida Next Door in Melbourne calls itself an Andalusian bar pouring sherry.
Where to try it
Sherry bars are multiplying in cities like London and New York. Find Spanish restaurants with a real sherry list in our directory.
