Sherry, a fortified wine from Spain, has a deep and complex history. Known for its unique production process, Sherry varies in style from dry to sweet, and from light to rich and full-bodied. To truly enjoy its full array of flavors, it’s essential to serve it in the right glass. The glass you choose for Sherry can significantly impact the wine’s aroma, taste, and overall experience. In this article, we’ll explore the 9 best glasses for Sherry, considering different types, styles, and the features that make each one ideal for enhancing your Sherry experience.
Why the Right Glass Matters for Sherry
When it comes to wine, the glass can make a big difference. For Sherry, this is especially true due to the wide variety of styles within the category, ranging from the delicate Fino to the rich Oloroso, and even the sweet Pedro Ximénez. Sherry is a complex wine with subtle nuances, and the proper glass can help concentrate and deliver its aromas while also highlighting its flavors.
For instance, Sherry glasses are designed to concentrate the wine’s aromas, direct it to the right areas of your palate, and even control the temperature. While there’s no one-size-fits-all glass for Sherry, certain types of glasses will suit specific styles of Sherry better than others.
Key Considerations for Selecting a Sherry Glass
Shape and Bowl Size: A narrow bowl is ideal for preserving the delicate aromas of lighter Sherries like Fino or Manzanilla, while a larger bowl is better for more intense and richer styles such as Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez. The glass’s shape helps trap the aromas and direct the wine to specific parts of your palate, enhancing your tasting experience.
Material: The material of the glass impacts how the wine feels in your hand and how it interacts with light. High-quality glass that is clear and free of impurities is ideal, as it allows you to appreciate the color and clarity of the wine.
Stem or Stemless: While stemmed glasses are traditionally preferred for Sherry, especially for more formal tastings, stemless glasses have become popular for casual sipping. Stemmed glasses prevent your hand from warming the wine, which is important, especially for chilled varieties like Fino.
Size of the Opening: A wider opening allows for more air exposure, which is beneficial for rich, oxidative Sherries like Oloroso. For younger, more delicate Sherries, a smaller opening helps concentrate the aromas and preserve the wine’s freshness.
9 Best Glasses for Sherry
Now, let’s explore the 9 best glasses for different types of Sherry. Whether you’re enjoying a refreshing Fino, a complex Amontillado, or a sweet Pedro Ximénez, there’s a glass designed to enhance each variety’s distinctive qualities.
1. Riedel Vinum Sherry Glass
Riedel is one of the most renowned names in the world of wine glassware, and their Vinum Sherry Glass is specifically designed to enhance the Sherry-tasting experience. With a tulip-shaped bowl, it directs the delicate aromas of Sherry to the nose while allowing for the right balance of air exposure.
Best For: All types of Sherry, including Fino, Manzanilla, and Amontillado.
Why It Works: The bowl shape concentrates the aromas, and the slightly tapered rim ensures that the wine is directed to the appropriate areas of your palate. This glass is perfect for enhancing the subtlety of dry Sherries, without overpowering their finesse.
2. Zalto Denk’Art Universal Glass
Zalto glassware is known for its lightweight, thin walls, which are designed to enhance the wine’s expression. The Denk’Art Universal Glass is a highly versatile option, suitable for a variety of wines, including Sherry. Its bowl is large enough to allow for plenty of aeration, which is ideal for rich and more mature Sherry styles.
Best For: Oloroso, Amontillado, and Pedro Ximénez.
Why It Works: The Zalto Universal Glass has a delicate yet resilient structure, allowing Sherry to breathe and reveal its complexity. The wider bowl is perfect for oxidative styles like Oloroso, helping to showcase the wine’s full-bodied nature.
3. Schott Zwiesel Pure Sherry Glass
Schott Zwiesel is known for its durability and practicality. The Pure Sherry Glass is designed with a slightly curved bowl that helps focus the aromas, while the stem ensures that the wine’s temperature remains stable. It is made from Tritan crystal, which gives it superior strength and longevity without compromising on clarity.
Best For: Manzanilla, Fino, and Amontillado.
Why It Works: The narrow, tulip-shaped bowl is perfect for concentrating the fresh, saline aromas of dry Sherries, such as Manzanilla or Fino. The glass also provides a nice balance between the wine’s delicate nature and the need for sufficient air contact.
4. Bordeaux Glass by Riedel
Though originally designed for Bordeaux wine, the Bordeaux Glass by Riedel is an excellent choice for richer, oxidative styles of Sherry, such as Oloroso. With its broad, round bowl and slightly wider opening, this glass allows ample room for Sherry to breathe and reveals its complexity.
Best For: Oloroso and other full-bodied Sherries.
Why It Works: The larger bowl and wide opening provide enough space for the wine to interact with air, allowing its rich, nutty flavors to emerge. It also helps to direct the wine to the back of your palate, where you can appreciate its full depth and complexity.
5. Port Glass by Luigi Bormioli
Luigi Bormioli’s Port Glass is a refined and elegant option that works well for Sherry, particularly the richer, more concentrated styles like Pedro Ximénez. The glass has a tulip shape with a narrow opening that concentrates the wine’s aromas, ensuring that the sweetness of Pedro Ximénez is highlighted.
Best For: Pedro Ximénez and other sweet Sherries.
Why It Works: The smaller bowl helps preserve the concentration of rich, sweet aromas while also ensuring the wine’s full-bodied sweetness is balanced by its acidity. This glass is also ideal for maintaining the wine’s freshness.
6. Baccarat Harcourt Sherry Glass
Known for its exquisite craftsmanship, Baccarat produces high-end crystal glassware that enhances the luxury of drinking Sherry. The Harcourt Sherry Glass has an elegant, tall bowl that concentrates the aromas and provides a sophisticated drinking experience. The tall stem keeps the wine at an ideal temperature without warming it with your hand.
Best For: Fino, Manzanilla, and Amontillado.
Why It Works: The design of the Baccarat Harcourt Sherry Glass emphasizes the elegance and finesse of the wine. It allows the delicate floral and nutty aromas of dry Sherry to express themselves fully.
7. Villeroy & Boch Sherry Glass
Villeroy & Boch’s Sherry Glass is crafted to suit both dry and sweet styles of Sherry, making it a versatile choice. Its tulip shape is ideal for both younger and older Sherries, concentrating the aromas and ensuring a smooth tasting experience.
Best For: All styles of Sherry, from Fino to Pedro Ximénez.
Why It Works: The balanced design of the glass helps to accentuate the wine’s aroma without overwhelming it. The glass is especially good for highlighting the fresh and fruity notes of young Sherry, while still allowing for the complexity of older Sherries.
8. Wine Enthusiast Sherry Glass
The Wine Enthusiast Sherry Glass is a more affordable option that still delivers excellent results. The glass features a slightly larger bowl and a gentle curve, which provides enough room for air contact, helping to release the aromas and flavors of the wine.
Best For: Oloroso, Amontillado, and Pedro Ximénez.
Why It Works: The glass helps bring out the richness of oxidative Sherries, and its shape provides a nice balance for sweeter styles. While it is not as delicate as some of the more expensive options, it is still an excellent choice for enjoying Sherry at home.
9. Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy Glass
While the Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy Glass is technically designed for Burgundy wines, its shape and design also make it a great choice for richer, more full-bodied Sherries like Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. The wide bowl allows the wine to breathe, while the slightly inward curvature of the rim helps concentrate the aromas.
Best For: Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez.
Why It Works: The larger bowl allows for more aeration, which enhances the complexity of rich Sherries. Its inward curve helps focus the wine’s aromas, guiding them to your nose and enhancing the overall drinking experience.
Conclusion
Selecting the right glass for Sherry is essential for getting the most out of this unique and diverse wine. From delicate dry styles like Fino and Manzanilla to the richer, more complex Oloroso and sweet Pedro Ximénez, the right glass enhances each variety’s aromas and flavors.
Whether you prefer the elegance of Riedel or the durability of Schott Zwiesel, each of the 9 glasses listed here will help you elevate your Sherry-drinking experience. Ultimately, the best glass for Sherry is the one that enhances your personal tasting preferences, allowing you to savor this historic wine to its fullest.
Related topics:
- 7 Best Dry Sherry for Cocktails
- 6 Best Types of Sherry for Trifle
- How Many Calories in a Small Glass of Sherry?
