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OLOROSO SHERRY is an oxidatively aged , dry , white wine using the second pressing of palomino grapes . This rich wine is made in Andalucia in Jerez , Spain .

The term oloroso means fragrant , promising a powerful nose . Aromas and notes you can expect to notice with this sherry include dried fruits , leather and exotic spices . Although noted as a naturally dry fortified wine , there are naturally sweet olorosos , usually vintage sherries .

SUGGESTED PAIRING : Oloroso sherry is ideal with a hearty steak and potatoes or a juicy burger and fries .

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT FORTIFIED WINES

You may think of sherry as an old timey tipple or primarily something that chefs cook with . But sherry is highly versatile and ranges from bone dry to rich and nutty to the sweet dessert styles . Sherry wine can also lend depth and richness to cocktails and pairs wonderfully with food , and not just Spanish cuisine .

But first , what exactly is sherry ? It ’ s a fortified wine from southwest Spain , specifically the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry denominación de origen or D . O . “ Fortified ” means that alcohol has been added to preserve it , which was originally done so that the wine could survive long voyages on ships .

Sherry differs depending on the producer and style . The four main styles are manzanilla , fino , oloroso and Pedro Ximenez . ( Cream sherry is the general name for different kinds of sweetened sherries .)

The folks at Colangelo & Partners , an agency specializing in wine and spirits ( with clients such as the trade commission of Spain ), offers up some insight on the different styles of sherry , and what foods to pair with them .

FINO SHERRY is a biologically aged , dry , white wine , produced in Jerez de la Frontera and El Puerto de Santa María . Palomino grapes are aged under a layer of yeast called veil de flor , then stored in American oak butts using the traditional solera y criaderas , or solera system . Commonly used for other Spanish styles of wine , the solera system uses a large number of casks and fractional blending to age sherry .

SUGGESTED PAIRING : This style of sherry is known for complementing most food pairings thanks to its savory nature . It works well with a meat and cheese charcuterie board alongside a watermelon gazpacho , as well as with main courses such as turkey , sweet potatoes and gravy .

MANZANILLA SHERRY is a dry white wine made from palomino grapes . This style of sherry is identical to the fino style , but it ’ s exclusively made in Sanlucar de Barrameda , making it a D . O . as well .

This town is the perfect place for production because of the Guadalquivir River , which marks a natural boundary to the north ; the Atlantic Ocean into which the river flows and borders the town to the west ; and the Marisma , an extensive stretch of wetland on the former river delta which is completely flat .

SUGGESTED PAIRING : Manzanilla sherry is a perfect match with many different fish dishes , such as seafood pasta with clams , shrimp and scallops in a lemon-garlic sauce . It can also be paired with heavier holiday fare such as prime rib , stuffing and green beans .

1 oz . Grey Goose vodka 1 oz . Fino sherry 1 oz . Pineapple juice ¾ oz . Lemon juice ¾ oz . Blueberry rosemary syrup

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker . Shake and strain into double rocks glass with crushed ice .

PEDRO XIMENEZ is an oxidatively aged , sweet , white wine made from Pedro Ximénez grapes that have been concentrated by sun drying . Fortified and aged in the solera system , this wine is almost black in color , sweet with pronounced dried fruit flavors .

SUGGESTED PAIRING : Serve this sherry with dark chocolate cake , a banana split , or pretty much any sweet treat .

Christopher Reyes , partner of Aldama in Brooklyn , NY , created this recipe .

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