What does sherry mean?
Sherry is a fortified wine with a distinctive character, traditionally associated with Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, southern Spain. It ranges from light, dry styles such as fino and manzanilla to richer, sweeter varieties such as oloroso and amontillado, and is also used in cooking to flavor foods and sauces. The word can function as a noun, referring to the wine, or as a verb, meaning that something is flavored or prepared with sherry. Although sherry is now produced beyond Spain, its name and most established classification system remain tied to the traditional sherry triangle around Jerez, Cádiz, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Its combination of distinctive flavors, culinary uses, and well-established cultural history makes it a useful example of how a place name can become the standard name for an entire style of wine.
A fortified wine traditionally produced around Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain.
"He poured himself a small glass of sherry after dinner."
The term may refer strictly to wines from the traditional sherry region or, more broadly, to fortified wines made in the sherry style.
To flavor or prepare something with sherry.
"The cook sherried the onions before adding them to the sauce."
This use is mainly culinary and is less common than the noun.
The standard plural is sherries, as in a selection of sherries from different producers.
"The shop stocks several sherries, from dry fino to rich oloroso."
Sherry takes its English name from Jerez de la Frontera, the Andalusian town whose wines gave the world one of its most distinctive fortified styles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sherry come from?
The English word entered use in the 16th century from the name of Jerez de la Frontera, the Spanish city associated with the wine. The French form sherry, from which the English word developed, was based on the place name and the wines made there. Modern sherry is classified according to styles traditionally associated with Jerez, Cádiz, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, although similar fortified wines are produced elsewhere.
Related word forms
How sherry is actually used
As a noun, sherry commonly denotes the wine itself and may also be used more broadly for wine made in the sherry style. As a verb, it is relatively uncommon and is mainly used in cooking. The spelling is 'sherry'; 'sherry' is not the same word as 'sherbet'.
Easily confused with sherry
Sherry is the fortified wine associated with Jerez de la Frontera; sherry-sauce is the condiment made from the wine and other ingredients.
Sherry is an alcoholic fortified wine, whereas sherbet is a nonalcoholic frozen or chilled sweet dessert drink.