The Sherry Renaissance: From Sweet to Dry, Why It Is Time to Rediscover This Classic

Sherry wine has long carried a strange reputation. It has often been considered too sweet and old school. Something forgotten in the back of a cabinet. That image is fading fast. In the past few years, sherry wine has returned to serious conversations. Top sommeliers have started to pour it with pride. Cocktail bars build entire evenings around it. This shift is far from sudden, though; it has been in the making for years now.

There is a reason people keep coming back to this category: the sheer range of offerings, from bone-dry to desert-sweet to nutty blends. Few other wines can boast such wide versatility.

At Woodland Hills Wine Company, we have watched interest grow steadily among both new and experienced drinkers. With so many styles available, this guide breaks down what sherry is, how it’s made, and where to begin exploring. In this blog, let’s get to know more about Sherry and its return.

What Exactly Is Sherry

Sherry wine comes only from the Sherry Triangle. Three towns. Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda y El Puerto de Santa María. The humidity, the slow warmth, and the floral breeze help the wine pick up floral edges and a whisp of sea salt that you notice only when you pay attention. 

The Solera Aging System

The solera system gives sherry its personality. A fractional blending method that moves wine through different stages called criaderas and finally into the solera level. Older wine feeds younger wine, and younger wine lifts older wine. The result is a continuous stream of complexity. A living system that never resets completely. No other category relies on this idea the same way, and you taste it in every sip.

The Styles of Sherry: From Dry to Sweet

Fino Sherry

Fino sherry rests under a natural layer of yeast called “flor”. This type of aging results in a wine that has subtle notes of almond and bread dough, with sea-like aromas. It pairs really well with tapas and olives, or seafood. This form of wine is best served cold to quickly invoke all the subtle aromas.

Manzanilla

Manzanilla is more like a breezier cousin to fino. It is also aged under flor but exclusively from Sanlucar. It has a bright and bright, salty flavour that leaves an almost zesty note on the tongue. And goes extremely well with seafood or sushi.

Amontillado

Amontillado begins life as a Fino. Once the flor fades, the wine undergoes controlled oxidative aging. This transition creates a bridge between freshness and depth, introducing flavors of hazelnut, caramel, dried citrus, and savory spice. Its versatility makes it an excellent partner for poultry, mushrooms, and richer dishes.

Oloroso Sherry

Oloroso never sees flor. It is prepared by oxidation from the start. Oloroso is known for its deep and complex flavours. It has notes of walnut and toffee, with a subtle tobacco undertone. It is a very warm and rich wine that pairs beautifully with ribeye or stews and even with dark chocolate.

Palo Cortado

Palo Cortado sits in its own world. Aromatic, like Amontillado, but richer in body, like Oloroso. Rare, mysterious, and often a favorite for people who enjoy the in-between styles.

Cream Sherry and Pedro Ximenez

This wine is sweeter than the rest. It has notes of figs and raisins, along with Molasses. A drizzle over ice cream can change your mind about dessert. These sweet expressions show why sherry wine belongs at the table long after the main course.

You can find all these varieties on our website. Do check out the week’s top picks to get started. 

Why Sherry Is Experiencing a Renaissance

Look at any Michelin restaurant list, and you will see it: sherry wines are everywhere. Bars have started serving classic cocktails that use sherry, like the “sherry cobbler” and the Adonis. 

Sherries are especially attractive to younger drinkers because they appreciate the range and the friendly price point. Fortified wines have always offered value, but sherry stands apart because of its freshness and variety. It also appeals to people looking for lower alcohol choices. 

How Sherry Wine Tastes: Flavor Profile Guide

Dry Cherries can lean towards nuttier flavours, such as almond and chamomile, which are generally stronger. Medium styles can have hazelnut with slight whisps of caramel. Sweet sherries often have fruitier flavours, such as fig, raisin, and toffee, and are often sweetened with molasses. 

Another feature of sherry is that the texture shifts as dryness changes. Light and delicate for the dry end and fuller and rounder as oxidation increases. It is also thick and dessert-like.

Food Pairings That Bring Out the Best in Sherry

Here is how to pair your sherry: 

• Dry Sherry: Olives, almonds, tapas, fried seafood, grilled vegetables
• Medium Sherry: Roast chicken, mushrooms, umami-rich dishes
• Sweet Sherry: Chocolate desserts, caramel sweets, blue cheese, almond pastries

WHWC Somm Tip: Serve Fino and Manzanilla around 45°F. Serve Oloroso slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60–63°F, to allow aromatics to open fully.

How to Store and Serve Sherry

Dry sherry must be refrigerated after opening and enjoyed within about one to two weeks. Oloroso lasts longer, usually four to six weeks. PX can sit for months without any reduction in quality or taste.

WHWC Somm Picks: Sherry Wines Worth Discovering

New to collecting your favorite wines? Do not worry, we got you. Here are our top recommendations: 

• Fino: It is Light and has notes of almond. Goes best with olives and tapas.
• Manzanilla: These are brighter and saltier than fino and have a punchy flavor. They are best accompanied by a seafood side. 
• Amontillado: This is a very rich wine. It has sweet notes of caramel, and therefore it goes best with high-umami foods like roast chicken or mushrooms.
• Palo Cortado: Palo Cortado is a mix between Amontillado and Oloroso. It borrows its taste from the former and the richness from the latter, the best of both worlds.
• PX: Thick, sweet, and almost desert-like. Best if poured gently over chocolate or ice cream.
• Oloroso: It is full-bodied and rich, very deep and complex in taste due to the use of spices, and best served with stews or Manchego.

Browse WHWC for bottles across every style. You can also buy gift cards for your loved ones that make for great gifts all year round, no matter the occasion.

FAQs About Sherry Wine

Is sherry wine dry or sweet?
A: Both. Many expressions exist.

What does fino sherry taste like?
A: Almond, sea spray, soft bread dough.

Is sherry a fortified wine?
A: Yes, sherry belongs to the family of fortified wines.

Sherry’s Return to the Spotlight

This is a wine for curious drinkers. It has a long history and a very broad flavour profile, offering something for everyone. From bright Finos to deep Olorosos, sherry wine gives you an entire tasting experience. 

WHWC invites you to explore our Sherry collection and discover why this classic feels so new again.