Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fortified wine: Sherry is a type of wine, specifically a fortified wine, meaning a distilled spirit (usually brandy) is added to it. It originates from the Jerez region in southern Spain.
   • A range of styles: The term encompasses a variety of styles, from very dry (like Fino or Manzanilla) to sweet (like Oloroso or Cream), all with an amber color.
   • An aperitif or dessert wine: It is traditionally consumed as an aperitif (before a meal) but sweet styles are also served as dessert wines.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We enjoyed a glass of dry sherry before dinner.
  • This sherry has a rich, nutty flavor.
  • The recipe calls for a splash of sweet sherry.

Advanced Usage

• "Sherry cobbler": A classic cocktail made with sherry, sugar, and citrus, served over ice.

  • The bartender prepared a refreshing sherry cobbler.

• "Sherry vinegar": A gourmet vinegar made from sherry wine, used in salad dressings and sauces.

  • The salad was dressed with a fine sherry vinegar.

• "Sherry trifle": A traditional British dessert often incorporating sherry-soaked sponge cake.

  • Her sherry trifle is the highlight of the party.

Variants and Related Words

• Fino (n): A type of very dry, pale sherry.
• Manzanilla (n): A very dry, light sherry similar to Fino, produced in Sanlúcar.
• Amontillado (n): A medium-dry sherry that is darker than Fino due to oxidative aging.
• Oloroso (n): A darker, richer, and often sweeter style of sherry.
• Cream Sherry (n): A sweet, dark sherry made by blending Oloroso with Pedro Ximénez wine.

Synonyms

• Fortified wine: The general category to which sherry belongs (e.g., Port, Madeira).
• Aperitif wine: A wine typically served before a meal.

Related Phrases

• "To take sherry": A somewhat formal or old-fashioned phrase meaning to drink sherry, often socially.

  • The guests will take sherry in the drawing room.

• "Sherry glass": A specific type of stemmed glass, smaller than a wine glass, used for serving sherry.

  • The sherry was served in elegant crystal sherry glasses.

Noun

1. dry to sweet amber wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain or similar wines produced elsewhere; usually drunk as an aperitif