The Sherry
Grape
Not a grape variety but a fortified wine made from white grapes in the Jerez region of Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles, from dry to sweet, including Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez, using primarily the Palomino grape, with Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez also used for sweeter styles. Sherry is known for its complex production process, including the solera system for aging and the development of flor yeast for certain styles.
Sherry
Grape History
Sherry is a fortified wine made primarily from the Palomino grape variety in the region of Jerez, Spain. The history of Sherry dates back thousands of years, with evidence of winemaking in the region dating back to the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. The unique climate and chalky soil of the Jerez region play a significant role in the cultivation of the Palomino grape, giving Sherry its distinctive character.
One of the most interesting facts about Sherry is the production process, which involves a unique system of aging known as the solera system. This method involves a series of barrels stacked on top of each other, with the oldest wine at the bottom and the youngest at the top. As the wine is drawn from the bottom barrels for bottling, it is replenished with younger wine from the barrels above, creating a blend of different vintages and imparting complexity to the final product.
Sherry is produced in a wide range of styles, from the dry and crisp Fino and Manzanilla to the rich and sweet Pedro Ximénez and Cream Sherries. The versatility of Sherry makes it a popular choice for pairing with a variety of dishes, from tapas and seafood to desserts and cheeses.
While Sherry is traditionally made in the Jerez region of Spain, there are also small productions of Sherry-style wines in other countries such as Australia, South Africa, and the United States. However, the true essence of Sherry is deeply rooted in the terroir of Jerez, and the majority of production still comes from this region.
The future of Sherry is promising, as interest in unique and diverse wine styles continues to grow among consumers. The traditional methods of production and the rich history of Sherry make it a sought-after wine for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike. Additionally, the versatility of Sherry in food pairings and cocktails has helped it gain popularity in the modern culinary scene.
Overall, the history, production methods, and distinctiveness of Sherry make it a wine grape variety with a bright future ahead, as it continues to capture the hearts and palates of wine lovers around the world.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel