Glass
Sherry should be served chilled in a standard white wine glass. This style of glassware allows the Sherry flavors and aromas to fully express themselves better than a small, traditional copita.

Serving Size, Temperature and Shelf Life
One serving of Sherry is approximately three ounces. It should be refrigerated and served from a freshly-opened bottle. Fino and Manzanilla styles should be be served very cold - as cold as you would serve champagne - and Palo Cortado Sherry and Amontillado Sherry are best consumed at slightly cooler than room temperature. Fino and Manzanilla should be consumed within one week of opening, while all of the other Sherry styles should be enjoyed within a month of opening.

When Should I Drink Sherry?
Sherry can be served alone as an aperitif, but it truly comes to life when paired with food. Sweeter Sherry wines can be the perfect note to end a wonderful meal, or can be served with a variety of desserts. Pedro Ximénez Sherry can be poured over vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

Pairing Sherry with Food
Spaniards drink their beloved Sherry with food; indeed, this is where the wine is most able to show off its unique characteristics. Fino, for example, pairs well with seafood, and is an excellent complement to soups. Amontillado is delicious with hot, spicy foods, dessert dishes or nuts. Palo Cortado is great with game such as duck or venison. Click here for a list of recipes that pair beautifully with different varieties of Sherry.

Sherry at a Restaurant
When ordering Sherry at a restaurant, approach it much as you would when ordering any other wine. Be confident. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and use all your senses when judging quality. When in doubt, ask your waiter or wine steward to recommend a Sherry. It’s a great way to increase your knowledge and educate your palate at the same time.