Sherry

A long history of connections exist between the Sherry producing region of Spain and the people of Ireland.

Bodegas Lustau

In modern times, the relationship between the Irish and Sherry is mostly centred around whiskey. Ireland’s best whiskies are matured in former Sherry casks. Our own Spot Whiskies are matured or partly matured in Sherry casks, as are editions of Redbreast, Bushmills, Powers, and many more. You might also see Malaga casks mentioned in whiskey notes also – Malaga is another area of Spain that produces a fortified wine very similar to Sherry.

But what is Sherry and does it have more to offer other than a tasting note in the best whiskies? Sherry is an anglicisation of Jerez, from the Jerez de la Frontera region of Spain where it is produced. An authentic Sherry from the region will carry the Jerez DO (Denominacion de Origen) label, but outside the EU other producers make a lesser drink that they name Sherry. Sherry is a fortified wine, meaning a wine that has been strengthened with the addition of spirit alcohol (also made from grapes).

Sherry is produced by the skilled blending of young and mature wines for a balance of flavours and a continuity across years. Like other spirits, but unlike Port, Sherry does not usually have a vintage, instead it is matured in the barrel for at least 3 years, just like whiskey. Oloroso Sherry is the exception to this and can carry a vintage.

Sherry is made from just three grapes, and they are all green. They are Palomino, Moscatel, and Pedro Ximenez (PX). 90% of all Sherry is made from Palomino. The making and aging of Sherry involves a complicated system of casks placed on top of each other. The bottom casks are called the solera and they contain the most mature liquid, while the top casks are known as the criadera and they contain the youngest. As the liquid matures the winemaker allows the liquid to pass from the upper casks to the lower ones, blending it with expertise and a lot of experience. At the very most just 30% of the solera is then removed for bottling each year. Some Sherry houses have solera casks dating back hundreds of years, meaning that in a sip of Sherry there is over two centuries of flavour.

But what about Ireland’s history with Sherry? We have a long-intertwined history with Spain. The Spanish Arch in Galway is so called in a nod to the trading links with Spain. Sherry featured prominently in Spanish wine fairs in Dublin in 1892 and 1953, almost certainly in the presence of and most likely even at the invitation of Mitchell and Son. In modern times Sherry has achieved a reputation for being an old lady’s drink, but thankfully that is now changing rapidly with many of Ireland’s most innovative restaurants and bars bringing Sherry back to the centre of Irish culture.

The Best Sherry?

The range of Emilio Lustau are probably the most awarded range of Sherries in all competitions worldwide. year after year.