Talk to me about sherry

[ThatSunCreamSmell]

We've got an older relative coming to stay for the weekend. She likes to have a sherry, or maybe two in the evening.

I'm googling but it's driving me a bit insane... all I know is she doesn't like it too dry.

Which one is good? (I'll probably send her home with the bottle)

I'm reading medium sherry should be served between 12-14 degrees.. how the hell? Fridge for a bit then leave it out?

Champagne glass, wine glass or tumbler?

Ice?

How much to serve? Small wine glass worth like 100ml?

Thanks!

The answer to this is amontillado. I wouldn’t bother chilling it. Sherry glasses are much smaller than wine glasses - I’ve just poured one and weighed it and it’s only 55ml

Try Harverys about £15 from tescos in a small glass or a sherry one of you have one

A Spanish sherry glass is like a skinny brandy glass, rather than a traditional English sherry schooner. Do you have anything like that? My husband is Spanish so we have sherry glasses (but not schooners).

My husband tends to drink Amontillado, which is served cold., so I can’t advise how to serve a medium sherry.

If you don't have any in you can find some lovely sherry glasses at charity shops.

No help on actual sherry, my grandmother was partial to it but I genuinely can't remember which type

Those tiny little port glasses are what you need... Like a shot glass size but with a stem.

The best sherry's are Tio Pepe brand... their website explains the tasting notes and sweet/dry well - https://www.tiopepe.com/gb-en/sherry-wine/naturally-sweet-sherry-wines

If you pick one of theirs that is not too dry you won't go wrong.
Amontillado is a dryer one, so maybe too dry for your relative, though it is an excellent sherry

If you have wine society membership their medium sweet is excellent. Otherwise I would go to Waitrose if you can - they have a great selection.

I suspect a cream sherry is likely to be the safest option from their selection - they do a couple of Pedro Ximenez but they basically taste like liquified raisins so might be a bit much.

Either of these two are likely to be good.

Otherwise you could think back and try and remember the colour of the bottle - two of the "standard" British sherries are Harvey's Bristol cream (blue bottle), and I think a croft pale cream (green bottle).

If in doubt though I'd be tempted to check - sherries can range from the driest white you can imagine, to dry oxidised to the sweetest wine in the world.

I'd refrigerate any of them and serve cold, no need to worry about it being too cold I don't think.

Ideally I'd serve in a smallish wine glass as the nose of sherry can be wonderful but it's definitely not essential. I got some gorgeous crystal sherry glasses in a charity shop for 50p the other week so could be worth keeping an eye if you want.

And looking back at the range of answers you've had while I wrote that post, I think it's fair to imagine you're not going to be any less confused now. I'd seriously consider ringing and asking what she drinks!

Thank you, this is really helpful. I don't have sherry glasses or small wine glasses... I'll see what I can find in the morning as she's coming at midday. Argh I should have been more prepared but have been ill this week!

Aaah Sherry ❤️
We have it as a Christmas treat ( looking forward to it already )
Harveys Bristol Cream

And yes , we have Sherry glasses
Croft Original is nice too

@Papillon23 I might have to ask although I know I'll get "oh don't worry dear I'll be fine with anything, don't go to any trouble" etc

Amontillado might be a little dry from the looks of things. I've heard of Harvey's so maybe that's a safe bet 😂😂

Sainsbury's do amontillado. We did all the supermarkets last Xmas as only amontillado would do for mums trifle.

If you have time nip into a charity shop, they often have lovely crystal Sherry glasses which definitely help! I like a chunk of ice in it too , although it’s a bit of an emergency back of the cupboard tipple!

Croft original is much nicer than Harvey’s! Most supermarkets do their own version for about £8 (pale cream).

We had to drink the others ☹️

It was very sad

Do I need to find out if she likes cream sherry or the wine looking one... or is one type dry and one medium

Cream sherry (no cream involved) is just made of a blend of dry sherry and a sweet sherry/ grape must. Medium sweet is the same but with a slight higher ratio of dry to sweet.

Other than the above and Pedro Ximenez, all the other wine type ones are pretty much a dry sherry.

I've not yet had a Waitrose sherry that isn't nice.

A lot of supermarkets have half bottles so you could pick up two, also if they have any Xmas stock in 2-3 small bottles are often in gift sets.

Croft Original Pale Cream Sherry is lovely, well chilled, very light in colour. I wouldn’t buy anything else. Ask relative what her favourite Sherry is they vary so much.

Sherry is so underrated- get a few glasses "schooners" to serve it. Usually loads in charity shops

Croft Original Pale Cream Sherry would fit the bill for your Aunt.
Perhaps get some nibbles too, little cheesey biscuits, nuts, olives, or little cubes of cheese such as Edam or Gouda?

There might be sherry glasses available in the supermarket range, though charity shops are your best bet. You can use the same glass for port, if you drink that.

I’ll bet anything on it being cream sherry. And yes charity shop for Crystal sherry glasses.

Croft is the one.

I think @Papillon23 has it nailed!

Pedro Ximinez is sweet, almost treacle like and imo the best dessert drink ever!

It was poured over a lump of ice in a restaurant in Spain last night - delicious! The glass used was a tumbler!

Not sure if that’s too sweet for your Aunt - but both Morrisons and Sainsbury’s do a pretty good bottle of PX!

Thanks everyone! I'm going to hit Waitrose this morning and if possible get a couple of half bottles, then go to a charity shop for some glasses.

Will report back - cheers 🥂