Spain
Dive into the world of Sherry with our curated selections. Discover Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and more, each representing the finest in Spanish fortified wines.
What is oloroso sherry?
Oloroso is a dry sherry style produced in Jerez, Spain, aged entirely through oxidative contact with oxygen in oak barrels. The name means fragrant in Spanish, a reference to its intensely aromatic character. Unlike fino or manzanilla, oloroso has no flor yeast protection, which allows it to develop the deep colour, walnut richness and dried fruit complexity that define the style.
How should oloroso sherry be served?
Oloroso is best served at 14 to 16 degrees Celsius, lightly chilled rather than cold. A standard white wine glass or copita works well. Once opened, oloroso keeps for four to six weeks in the fridge with a good stopper, making it one of the most practical sherry styles to have open at home. For a full serving guide see our sherry serving and storage guide.
What food pairs well with oloroso sherry?
Oloroso is one of the most food-versatile wines in the world. It pairs beautifully with red meat, venison, game, oxtail, strong hard cheese, walnuts and rich stews. It is also excellent used in cooking, a splash of oloroso in a beef or lamb braise adds extraordinary depth. For more ideas see our oloroso with steak pairing guide and our cooking with sherry guide.
What is the difference between oloroso and amontillado sherry?
Both are oxidatively aged sherries but they start their lives differently. Amontillado begins as a fino under flor yeast before the flor is killed and oxidative ageing begins. Oloroso never develops flor and is aged oxidatively from the start. Oloroso is fuller-bodied and richer than amontillado, with more dried fruit and less of the nutty elegance that characterises amontillado.
What is VORS oloroso?
VORS stands for Very Old Rare Sherry, a designation requiring an average age of 30 years or more verified by the Consejo Regulador. VORS oloroso from producers such as Gonzalez Byass represents the pinnacle of the style, with extraordinary concentration, depth and complexity developed over three decades in barrel. These are among the most undervalued fine wines in the world at their price point.
Is oloroso sherry sweet or dry?
Dry oloroso is a naturally dry wine with no residual sugar added during production. Cream sherry is produced by blending oloroso with sweet Pedro Ximenez, so if you want the dry style look specifically for oloroso on the label rather than cream sherry. Some producers also produce medium oloroso with a small amount of sweetening, check the tasting notes if you prefer the bone dry style.