If you're like me, when you think of sherry, you think of Frasier - but did you know November 4th through the 10th is World Sherry Week?  In honor of one of the world's oldest wines (and the Crane brothers' preferred libation) let's take a dive into some of the varieties of sherry we offer.

If you're a fan of drier wines, Oloroso or Amontillado sherry would probably be your preference.

Amontillado has a paler to amber appearance and a delicate bouquet smoothed by aromas of hazelnuts, herbaceous and with subtle notes of dark tobacco.  Light and smooth with well-balanced acidity and a dry finish, Amontillado sherry is usually served slightly chilled, as an aperitif or paired with chicken.

Oloroso's appearance ranges from rich amber to deep mahogany in color.  The darker the color, the longer the wine has been aged.  This fortified wine has warm, nutty aromas on the nose with noticeable spicy notes suggestive of truffles and leather.  This is a full flavored, full bodied wine.  Olorosos sometimes reach relatively high alcohol levels (even above 20%) which is the result of the long aging process.

If you prefer a sweeter wine, don't worry - sherry has you covered with cream sherry and Pedro Ximenez varieties.

Cream sherry is a semi-sweet wine made from blending Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez and aging.  Ranging from chestnut brown to dark mahogany, this wine has a dense, syrupy appearance.  A strong bouquet of Oloroso on the nose combines with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of nougat or caramel.  The intensity of this wine and its concentration of sweetness makes it perfect to serve "on the rocks."

Pedro Ximenez sherry is regarded as probably the sweetest wine in the world.  While that may seem too sweet, the process of drying the grapes in the sun concentrates their natural acidity and the complexity of its aroma and flavor make it fresh and harmonious on the palate.  A dark, ebony wine with legs for days, this is an extremely rich wine with sweet notes of figs and dates accompanied by the aromas of honey and jam and at the same time reminiscent of toasted coffee, dark chocolate, and licorice.

Come explore our selection of sherry at both stores and join me in a toast to World Sherry Week!