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What is sherry?
Learn more about the history, vineyards, grape varieties and production methods of one of the world’s great wines.
Sherry is a (usually) fortified wine from Andalusia in the south of Spain. It’s made from grapes grown in the so-called sherry triangle between the towns of Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Puerto de Santa Maria. The word ‘sherry’ comes from attempts by English speakers to say ‘Jerez’.
This part of Spain has been shipping wine northwards for a long time. The British have been drinking sherry since at least the 15th century and possibly earlier. Sack, a wine mentioned more than any other in Shakespeare, usually refers to sherry. This would probably have been an unfortified sweet wine that was drunk soon after vintage - very different to how sherry is these days.
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Author:
Master of Malt features editor and award-winning drinks author
Reading time: 5 minutes
How is sherry made?
The chalky albariza soil of the sherry region (photo courtesy of Gonzalez Byass)
What is a solera?
More sherry guides
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