Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Sherry Wine Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Sherry wine
Unlike most wines, Sherry wines have a “protected designation of origins status.” This means all wines listed as Sherry wines must come from the Sherry triangle, located in the area of Cadiz, Spain. Sherry wine is a sweet white wine made from the Palomino grape. This light white wine has some darker variations, depending on how long they have been left to age in a barrel. The older the wine, the darker it will appear when poured.
Sherry is generally a sweet dessert wine and is also often used for cooking. The Palomino grapes were originally sourced in the city of Jerez de la Frontiera, and still are today. Jerez has quite a long history with winemaking, dating back to 1100 BCE when the Phoenicians introduced winemaking. For a brief moment in history, the town was also called Sherish, which explains Sherry's name.
By the end of the 16th century, Sherry was known all around Europe as one of the finest white wines available. In 1894, the phylloxera insect devastated the vines in Jerez. Some vineyards were replanted elsewhere, but many were completely lost, diminishing the world supply of Sherry at the time.
Once Palomino grapes are harvested, they are pressed for their must. The first must will produce Fino or Manzanilla Sherry wines. Sherry then ages best in oak barrels. Once bottled, it is recommended to drink it rather soon as it does not continue to age well once removed and bottled. Fino and Manzanilla Sherry wines are so delicate, they should be drunk immediately after opening and not left for days before consuming. These are the driest versions of Sherry. The sweeter versions may keep for a few more days after opening.
Since 1933, European wines labeled as Sherry must come from the Sherry triangle in Spain. However, there are sherry wines made in North America that are very different and are actually not able to even be exported to the entire European Union.
About Sherry wine
The climate of Jerez is ideal for cultivating the palomino grape. There is just enough rain and just enough very dry, hot days to allow this vine to thrive. Areas with the lightest soil make for the best spots to plant and cultivate Palomino grapes in Jerez.
For optimal aging, Sherry wines are stored in oak barrels that are filled exactly five-sixths of the way up. This allows for room for the wine to develop flor on top — a layer of yeast essential to the production of Sherry wine. The wine is then gently removed to protect the flor and preserve the taste and aroma of the Sherry wine. The barrel aging and blending system used to age Sherry wine is known as the solera system.
All Sherry wines have a rather nutty and fruity taste to them. Younger Sherry wines will be lighter and drier, whereas darker Sherry wines will be darker and sweeter. Sherry wines are often classified as dessert or cooking wines, but there is so much more to Sherry wines. They pair very well with salty or nutty foods, dips, Ceviches, raw seafood, and even meats with heavily seasoned sauces or gravy. These foods bring out the dry, salty, and nutty natural flavors found in the Sherry, enhancing both the wine and the meal at the same time.
Types of Sherry wine
- Amontillado
- Oloroso
- Palo Cortado
- Cream PX
- Fino
- Manzanilla
Tips for picking out the best Sherry wine
- Choose Sherry wines sourced from Jerez, Spain over North America
- Choose a bottle that is aged according to your preference (more for sweeter, less for drier)
- Serve Sherry white wines slightly chilled
Sherry Wine Near Me
Buy your favorite Sherry Wine online with Instacart. Order Sherry Wine from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs Sherry wine
Sherry is a white wine with a rather high alcohol content. It can vary from light to dark, and dry to sweet. It can be used as a dessert wine or as a complement to canapés and appetizers. It is generally nutty and fruity in taste. It is a fortified wine, similar to Port.
Yes, in addition to the Palomino grapes, which are the most popular for Sherry wines, winemakers may also use Muscat of Alexandria and Pedro Jimenez grape varieties. However, Palomino grapes produce the driest Sherry wines. The other two varieties tend to produce much sweeter wines.
Once the wine has fermented and aged in the oak barrels for about a year, it is then sampled and classified to determine where it will go. There are 3 classifications a Sherry wine may receive: fino, oloroso, or discarded. This system helps to maintain a consistent level of taste among the various types of Sherry wines.