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Top 10 Sherries

By Lisa & Tony Sierra, About.com

Sherry or jerez is the Spanish wine from the southern region of Cadiz. Sherry has been around for centuries. It was even mentioned in Greek texts in the 4th century BC! Most of us have heard of cream sherry, but there are actually 10 official types that range from very dry and pale, to dark and sweet. Sherry is not only a dessert wine, but can be drunk before a meal as well.

1. Fino

Clear, straw-colored, dry, light and fragrant. Contains 15 to 17% alcohol by volume.

2. Amontillado

Certain hazelnut flavor. Contains 16 to 18% alcohol by volume.

3. Olorosos

Dark, golden color. Strong, but light. Contains 18 to 20% alcohol by volume.

4. Palo Cortado

Between Amontillado and Oloroso. Contains 18 to 20% alcohol by volume.

5. Raya

Part of the Oloroso group, but less delicate.

6. Pedro Ximenez

Sweet, with a high alcohol content. Very aromatic.

7. Moscatel

Sweet raisin wine. This wine is produced in Malaga and is warm and sweet, and has a dark color.

8. Cream

Very sweet wine. Made by adding alcohol to "must" that has just begun to ferment. Must is the juice of freshly crushed grapes before fermented into wine. It can include skins, pulp and and seeds. A good dessert wine.

9. Color

Made by fermenting fresh must and adding concentrated must.

10. Manzanilla

This type is produced in Sanlucar de Barrameda. It is very pale and dry. It contains 15 to 17% alcohol by volume.

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