Sherry is a fascinating Spanish fortified wine, made in the Jerez region of Andalusia and known for its distinctive styles, from dry and nutty to rich and sweet. Unlike many wines, Sherry is blended and matured using traditional solera systems, which means each bottle carries a little of the past. That heritage, along with the ageing process, is what gives Sherry its signature complexity.

You’ll often find Sherry labelled by style rather than grape, with Fino and Manzanilla typically lighter, drier and best served well chilled. Amontillado and Oloroso tend to be fuller, with deeper flavours such as roasted nuts, caramel and toasted spice. For something dessert-friendly, Pedro Ximénez (PX) offers beautifully concentrated sweetness and a dark, syrupy character.

Sherry is wonderfully versatile at the table. Try it with olives, cured meats and seafood for dry styles, or pair richer bottles with creamy dishes, mushrooms, mature cheese and chocolate. If you’re building a mixed collection for entertaining, Sherry is a great choice because it covers everything from crisp aperitif moments to after-dinner indulgence.