Who said that Sherry only goes with classic tapas? These days, Sherry Wine pairings are being reinvented to seduce new audiences, fusing tradition and creativity in every sip and bite.
Imagine a prawn katsu sando with a glass of Fino, a glazed bacon and hoisin sauce bao with Amontillado, or blue cheese and walnut ice cream with Pedro Ximénez: unexpected combinations that defy convention and celebrate the versatility of these unique wines.
Read on to discover new pairing ideas that surprise, inspire, and prove that Sherry is the perfect ally for those seeking different and daring gastronomic experiences.
Why are Sherry Wines so versatile with food?
Sherry Wines are so versatile when pairing because they span a range of styles from dry and light to intense and sweet. This diversity allows each type of wine to find its ideal match, whether with cold dishes, spicy meat, desserts, or contemporary global cuisines. In addition, its aromatic complexity and its ability to enhance flavours make it surprising in both classic and innovative pairings. So Sherry adapts to any gastronomic occasion, winning over aventurous and traditional palates alike.
The styles of the Marco de Jerez: from Fino to Pedro Ximénez
The Marco de Jerez offers a fascinating variety of styles that reflect the richness and diversity of this wine region.
Fino: This is the freshest and lightest Sherry Wine, with delicate aromas of almonds and a saline touch, ideal to accompany tapas and fresh seafood. Its dry and lively character means it is best served chilled.
Amontillado: Combines the freshness of Fino with oxidative aging that brings notes of nuts and spices, perfect for intensely flavoured dishes such as stews or cured cheese.
Palo Cortado: This Sherry has both the aromatic delicacy of Amontillado, and the structure and power of Oloroso. Ranging from chestnut brown to mahogany in colour, it is valued for its complexity and balance. Palo Cortado accompanies game, stews, cured cheeses, and concentrated consommés, enhancing their deep, elegant flavours.
Oloroso: Its main characteristics are body and depth, with aromas of nuts, leather and wood, ideal for roast meat and hearty dishes.
Pedro Ximénez: PX is a sweet, dense and mellow wine, with flavours of raisins and honey, which goes especially well with desserts and blue cheeses, rounding off the gastronomic experience with a touch of unforgettable sweetness.
Ideas to create your own unexpected menu with Sherry
Find out how to surprise your guests with a unique and original menu, combining the richness and diversity of Sherry Wines with their perfect pairs. We invite you to explore creative ideas that enhance each dish, transforming your meal into an unforgettable experience full of flavour and tradition.
If it swims, pair it with Fino
Seafood, smoked foods and ceviches: salinity is your ally
Sherry Wines are perfect allies to enhance the saltiness of seafood, smoked fish, and ceviche. Fino, dry and light, enhances the natural flavour of shrimp and anchovies, while balancing the acidity and spiciness of ceviche with its freshness and saline notes. For smoked foods, this wine brings complexity and nuances that harmonise with the intensity of the dish. The shared salinity between Fino and smoked fish creates a fresh and vibrant pairing, which elevates each bite and delights the palate.
Unexpected pairings with Fino: sushi, sashimi or prawn katsu sando
Fino pairs beautifully with Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and katsu sando. Its fresh, light, saline character enhances the purity of the raw fish and balances the crunchy texture and tangy taste of the katsu sando. With sashimi, this Sherry Wine cleanses the palate between bites, enhancing the umami nuances without overshadowing the delicate flavors. This biologically aged wine, with notes of almond and sea salt, creates an unexpected harmony that enhances each mouthful, providing a fresh and vibrant experience, ideal for those seeking original and sophisticated pairings such as those offered by Asian cuisine.
Why not try it with oysters or seaweed bread?
Fino is a surprisingly good companion for fresh oysters and seaweed bread. Its freshness and saline character enhance the marine essence of the former, creating a harmony that enhances its natural flavour. In the case of seaweed bread, the wine balances its texture and provides a dry counterpoint that highlights the marine and umami notes, making each bite even more vibrant and sophisticated. This combination succeeds thanks to its delicacy and elegance, especially for those looking for original pairings that celebrate the saltiness and freshness of the sea.
If it flies, pair it with Amontillado
Foie, spicy duck and mild curry: the secret umami
Amontillado, with its dry character and nutty notes, enhances the umami present in foie, providing an elegant counterpoint to its unctuous texture. With spicy duck, the aromatic complexity of this Sherry Wine intensifies, balancing the spices and highlighting the depth of the dish. In a mild curry, Amontillado softens the creaminess and spice, while its nutty taste complements the flavour of the coconut milk and herbs, creating a harmonious and nuanced pairing. The perfect Sherry Wine to enhance the coveted fifth flavour in these combinations.
Signature sandwiches and poultry with nuts: a creative twist
The complexity of Amontillado enhances the delicate, spicy flavour of white meats, bringing sophistication and balance. In creative sandwiches, its structure enhances smoked ingredients and aged cheeses, while in poultry dishes, the nuts are complemented by the toasted aromas of the wine, creating a sublime harmony that elevates each mouthful to become a memorable dining experience.
Amontillado and Asian cuisine: on-trend pairings
Amontillado is probably the Sherry Wine that best harmonises with Asian cuisine, especially Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes, where exotic spices and tastes are perfectly balanced with its dry, flavourful profile. Like Fino, Amontillado combines exceptionally well with sushi, sashimi, and smoked fish, enhancing their delicate nuances. In current gastronomic trends, the molecular sommelier brings a scientific approach to pairing, seeking common aromatic molecules to achieve surprising harmonies between Amontillado and Asian dishes, enhancing textures and aromas in every sip.
If it runs, pair it with Oloroso or Palo Cortado
Red meat, Iberian pork and intense stews: structure as a bridge
Oloroso, with its robust character and notes of nuts, spices, and noble woods, is a wine that demands dishes with personality. Pairing this Sherry Wine with red meat, Iberian pork, or intense stews will demonstrate its power to bring out the juiciness and depth of flavours. Oloroso matched with bull's tail stew or an Iberian pork loin cleanses the palate, making each mouthful more memorable. Its structure accompanies the meat’s oiliness and intensity, so that the pairing becomes both a complement and a counterpoint.
Truffled mortadella panini, pulled pork, and signature cuisine
In contemporary casual cuisine, Oloroso is a surprisingly successful match when pairing with different recipes, such as truffled mortadella panini, pulled pork, or signature cuisine. The unctuousness of the mortadella and the perfume of the truffle are echoed in the walnut and caramel nuances of this Sherry Wine, while the pulled pork, with its sweetness and spices, is balanced by the acidity and body of the Oloroso. In signature dishes, where textures and flavours are reinvented, this wine provides a solid and elegant base, capable of creating a dialogue with unexpected ingredients and innovative techniques.
Palo Cortado: a wild card for dishes with character
The most versatile Sherry Wine for dishes with character is Palo Cortado. Its duality makes it the perfect choice for complex recipes: from spicy stews to mature meat or dishes with intense sauces. Palo Cortado embraces both the diversity of haute cuisine and the challenges of modern food pairing, bringing freshness, depth and a lingering finish that invites further exploration. In short, the wild card that every wine lover should have on hand to surprise and be surprised by.
Sweets, cheese and extremes: the world according to Pedro Ximénez
Dubai Chocolate with Sherry
The pairing between Pedro Ximénez and Dubai chocolate is a sensory experience that transcends the ordinary. The PX, with its intense sweetness, and aromas of raisins, dried figs, honey, and cocoa, creates a perfect counterpoint to dark and exotic Dubai chocolate. This chocolate, known for its distinctive pistachio and knafeh filling, is enriched by the unctuousness and dense body of Pedro Ximénez, while the wine softens and unfolds deeper nuances thanks to the bitterness and spice of the chocolate. The combination is a journey of textures and flavours where one’s opulence and the other’s richness enhance each other, offering a unique gourmet experience that demands to be enjoyed at your leisure.
Gourmet ice creams with Pedro Ximénez
Gourmet ice creams with Pedro Ximénez is a match made in heaven. With its sweet and velvety profile, PX complements ice creams with intense flavours such as vanilla, nougat or even bitter chocolate. The freshness and creaminess of the ice cream balances the density and sweetness of the wine, creating a refreshing contrast that enhances both elements. This pairing is ideal for those who prefer a sophisticated dessert, where the natural sweetness and balanced acidity of Pedro Ximénez provide an enveloping and persistent sensation in the mouth, making every spoonful and sip a delight for the palate.
PX and blue cheese
Finally, the classic but always effective pairing of Pedro Ximénez and blue cheese: a combination that never disappoints. Blue cheese, with its intense and slightly salty flavor, finds a perfect complement in PX. The sweetness and unctuous texture of the wine counteract the rich saltiness of the cheese, softening the mouthfeel and providing an aromatic complexity that fills the mouth. This pairing is one of the most celebrated in Jerez gastronomy, where the richness of the PX and the strength of the blue cheese balance to create a unique and sophisticated dining experience.
Conclusion: Pairing is daring - Sherry Wines, your best ally
Pairing is an act of courage and a voyage of discovery, an adventure for the palate where each combination is an invitation to explore new sensory worlds. Sherry Wines, with their richness and versatility, are your ideal companions for this journey. Their ability to enhance flavours, from the umami of seafood to the intensity of stewed pork, reminds us that pairing is an art that awakens emotions and memories. With daring Sherry Wine pairings, you open yourself to unforgettable experiences that celebrate life in every sip.
