French onion soup, with its rich, deeply caramelized flavors, savory beef broth, and gooey melted cheese, is a dish beloved by many. The dish is a wonderful balance of sweet and savory elements, making it a perfect pairing opportunity for a well-selected wine. While red and white wines are the usual choices, there’s one wine category that might surprise you: Sherry. This fortified wine from Spain, with its wide range of styles, can bring a unique depth to the dining experience when matched with French onion soup. But not all Sherries are created equal, and selecting the right one requires careful thought.
In this article, we will explore the 5 best Sherries that complement French onion soup, providing you with a detailed and refined guide to this culinary pairing. From dry to sweet, we’ll examine the distinct characteristics of each type and how it interacts with the flavors of the soup.
The Art of Pairing: Why Sherry and French Onion Soup Work
The Flavor Profile of French Onion Soup
Before diving into the best Sherries for this pairing, it’s important to understand the key components of French onion soup. At its core, French onion soup is a balance of deeply caramelized onions, savory broth, and melting cheese. The onions, cooked slowly until golden brown, offer a natural sweetness that is offset by the savory, umami-rich broth, usually made with beef stock. The crusty, toasted bread layer adds texture, and the cheese—often Gruyère or Emmental—brings creaminess and a touch of nuttiness.
The result is a soup that combines sweet, savory, umami, and creamy flavors, which presents an opportunity to complement or contrast these elements with a wine like Sherry.
Why Sherry Is an Ideal Match
Sherry is an incredibly versatile wine that can range from dry and crisp to sweet and rich, making it suitable for a wide variety of food pairings. The high acidity in Sherry helps to cut through the richness of the soup, while its complex flavors add depth and intrigue to the experience. Whether you’re looking for a wine that complements the sweetness of the caramelized onions, balances the richness of the cheese, or enhances the savory elements of the broth, Sherry offers a spectrum of possibilities.
Now, let’s explore five of the best Sherries to enjoy with French onion soup, each offering a unique expression that enhances different elements of the dish.
1. Fino Sherry: The Perfect Dry Accompaniment
The Characteristics of Fino Sherry
Fino Sherry is the driest style of Sherry and is known for its crisp, clean, and refreshing taste. Made primarily from the Palomino grape, Fino Sherry undergoes a unique aging process known as “biological aging,” which is facilitated by the development of a layer of yeast called flor. This flor protects the wine from oxidation, preserving its light, delicate flavors and contributing to its distinctive characteristics.
Fino is typically pale straw in color, with aromas of green apple, almonds, and a slight saline note. On the palate, it is dry and sharp, with flavors of crisp green apple, dough, and a hint of sea breeze. Its high acidity and bracing dryness make it an ideal match for dishes that are rich and savory, as it helps cleanse the palate between bites.
Why Fino Works with French Onion Soup
French onion soup’s rich, caramelized onions and savory broth benefit from the dryness and refreshing acidity of Fino Sherry. The Sherry’s crisp, clean profile contrasts beautifully with the sweet, umami-rich flavors of the soup, while its acidity balances the richness of the cheese. Additionally, the subtle nutty notes in Fino can complement the toasted bread and enhance the overall experience.
Fino Sherry is particularly well-suited for those who prefer a dry wine pairing. It brings freshness and lightness to the table, preventing the soup from feeling overly heavy or cloying.
Recommended Fino Sherry for French Onion Soup
Tio Pepe Fino – Known for its delicate flavor profile, this Fino is crisp with a gentle nutty finish, making it a perfect match for French onion soup’s savory elements.
2. Manzanilla Sherry: A Salty, Refreshing Twist
The Characteristics of Manzanilla Sherry
Manzanilla Sherry is a sub-style of Fino that is made exclusively in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the Jerez region of Spain. Like Fino, Manzanilla is dry and undergoes biological aging under flor yeast, but it is typically more delicate and exhibits a stronger saline character due to its proximity to the sea.
Manzanilla has aromas of green olives, almonds, and a briny, almost coastal scent. On the palate, it is light and crisp with flavors of citrus zest, herbs, and a distinct salty tang that adds a refreshing and slightly savory note to the wine.
Why Manzanilla Works with French Onion Soup
The salty, briny character of Manzanilla pairs well with the sweet, caramelized onions in French onion soup, creating a beautiful contrast of flavors. The wine’s bright acidity and fresh citrus notes also help cut through the richness of the broth and cheese, providing balance and enhancing the soup’s flavors without overpowering them.
Manzanilla’s lighter, more delicate profile makes it a great option for those who want a more subtle pairing with their soup, while still benefiting from the wine’s refreshing qualities.
Recommended Manzanilla Sherry for French Onion Soup
La Gitana Manzanilla – This Manzanilla is known for its clean, crisp finish and refreshing saline qualities, making it an excellent pairing for the complex flavors of French onion soup.
3. Amontillado Sherry: A Rich, Nutty Companion
The Characteristics of Amontillado Sherry
Amontillado is a fascinating style of Sherry that starts life as a Fino but undergoes oxidative aging after the flor yeast dies off. This process gives Amontillado a richer, more complex flavor profile with nutty, caramel, and toasty notes. Amontillado is typically amber in color, with aromas of toasted almonds, hazelnuts, and dried fruits, as well as a touch of savory umami.
On the palate, Amontillado is dry but fuller-bodied than Fino, with a smooth texture and flavors of hazelnut, brown sugar, and a hint of savory herbs. It has a pleasant balance of sweetness and dryness, making it versatile enough to pair with both savory and slightly sweet dishes.
Why Amontillado Works with French Onion Soup
Amontillado’s rich, nutty character and slight sweetness make it an ideal partner for the complex flavors of French onion soup. The wine’s subtle caramel and toasty flavors enhance the caramelized onions in the soup, while its smooth texture complements the richness of the melted cheese.
Additionally, Amontillado’s more oxidative aging process brings depth and complexity to the pairing, allowing it to stand up to the bold flavors of the soup without being overwhelmed.
Recommended Amontillado Sherry for French Onion Soup
Sandeman Amontillado – This Amontillado is well-balanced with rich, nutty flavors and a smooth, slightly sweet finish, making it an excellent choice to pair with French onion soup.
4. Oloroso Sherry: A Bold, Full-Bodied Pairing
The Characteristics of Oloroso Sherry
Oloroso is a full-bodied, rich Sherry that undergoes oxidative aging from the start, without the influence of flor yeast. This gives Oloroso a deep, amber color and a complex flavor profile, often with notes of roasted nuts, dried fruit, spices, and dark chocolate. Oloroso can range from dry to sweet, but it is typically on the drier side, with a round, velvety mouthfeel and a warming finish.
On the palate, Oloroso is rich and intense, with flavors of toasted almonds, figs, and spices, as well as a deep, savory umami character. Its complexity and depth make it a great choice for pairing with hearty, robust dishes.
Why Oloroso Works with French Onion Soup
The bold, rich character of Oloroso Sherry complements the intense, caramelized flavors of the onions in French onion soup. Its deep, savory notes enhance the umami of the broth, while its warming finish pairs well with the richness of the cheese. Oloroso’s full-bodied profile makes it a good match for those who enjoy a more substantial wine pairing.
The wine’s complex flavors also mirror the complexity of French onion soup, making this pairing one that can stand up to the soup’s bold flavors while enhancing the overall experience.
Recommended Oloroso Sherry for French Onion Soup
Bodegas Hidalgo Oloroso – A rich, full-bodied Oloroso with a deep, nutty character and complex layers of flavor, making it a wonderful companion for French onion soup.
5. Pedro Ximénez Sherry: A Sweet, Decadent Choice
The Characteristics of Pedro Ximénez Sherry
Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry is the sweetest style of Sherry, made from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes. It is a deeply rich and syrupy wine, with flavors of raisins, figs, molasses, chocolate, and coffee. PX is often used in dessert wines, but its sweetness can also create a delightful contrast with savory dishes.
On the palate, PX is intensely sweet and full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit, caramel, and a hint of spice. Its richness and complexity make it an indulgent pairing for dishes with deep, umami flavors.
Why Pedro Ximénez Works with French Onion Soup
While sweet wines may not always be the first choice for French onion soup, the deep, raisiny sweetness of Pedro Ximénez can create an intriguing contrast with the caramelized onions in the soup. The sweetness helps to balance the savory broth and cheese, providing a rich, decadent experience that enhances the soup’s flavors. PX also pairs wonderfully with the toasted bread and melted cheese, adding an extra layer of indulgence to the meal.
Recommended Pedro Ximénez Sherry for French Onion Soup
Lustau Pedro Ximénez – This Pedro Ximénez has a rich, syrupy texture with deep flavors of dried fruit and caramel, making it a luxurious pairing for French onion soup.
Conclusion
When pairing Sherry with French onion soup, the key is to find a balance between the richness of the soup and the unique characteristics of the wine. Fino and Manzanilla offer refreshing, crisp pairings that cleanse the palate, while Amontillado and Oloroso provide deeper, more complex flavors that enhance the richness of the soup. For those looking for a touch of sweetness, Pedro Ximénez offers a decadent contrast to the savory elements.
The beauty of Sherry lies in its versatility and ability to complement a wide range of dishes. Whether you prefer a dry, nutty, or sweet option, there’s a Sherry that will elevate your French onion soup experience to new heights. So, next time you sit down to a bowl of this comforting dish, consider reaching for a bottle of Sherry to take your pairing to the next level.
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