Fino Sherry

How is Fino Sherry made?

Fino Sherry starts with Palomino grapes that are fermented completely dry, then fortified to about 15% alcohol before being aged under a protective layer of naturally occurring yeast called flor. This biological aging process takes place in the solera system, where wine moves through a series of barrels over several years, with the flor consuming oxygen and imparting those distinctive nutty, briny flavors. The flor also prevents oxidation, keeping Fino pale and crisp compared to other sherry styles that age without this yeast blanket.

How do you drink Fino Sherry?

Fino sherry shines brightest when served chilled and neat in a small wine glass or copita, allowing its delicate, bone-dry character and subtle almond notes to take center stage. While it occasionally appears in cocktails like the Bamboo or Adonis—classic low-ABV sippers that pair sherry with vermouth—fino really prefers the spotlight all to itself. This elegant Spanish wine makes perfect sense as an aperitif on warm afternoons or paired with tapas, when its crisp, saline finish can cleanse the palate between bites of jamón or marcona almonds.

How do I choose good Fino Sherry?

Look for bottles that display a clear bottling date or mention "en rama" on the label – Fino loses its delicate, yeasty character quickly once exposed to air, so freshness matters more than age. If you're mixing cocktails, grab a standard Fino from producers like Tio Pepe or La Gitana since their bright, saline qualities shine through in drinks like martini variations or spritz-style cocktails. For sipping neat, splurge on a premium bottling from smaller bodegas like Equipo Navazos, where you'll taste more complex mineral notes and that distinctive ocean breeze character that makes great Fino so special.

Nutritional Information

Typical Calorie Range per Ounce: 32-40 calories

Typical Carbohydrate Range per Ounce: 0.8-1.5 grams

Typical Sugar Range per Ounce: 0.2-0.8 grams

Typically Gluten Free: Yes

Fino sherry is naturally low in residual sugar due to its bone-dry fermentation process, making it one of the lighter fortified wines you can enjoy. The biological aging under flor yeast consumes most sugars, leaving behind that crisp, mineral character fino lovers appreciate.

Please check detailed product information and consult with manufacturers to confirm gluten-free status, as production methods and additives can vary between producers.

Scrolled this far? Your reward? Fino Sherry Trivia!

1. Fino Sherry literally grows a living blanket on its surface. During aging, a natural yeast called "flor" spontaneously develops, creating a thick, wrinkled film that looks like cottage cheese floating on top. This living layer actually feeds on the wine's alcohol and nutrients, protecting it from oxidation while adding those distinctive briny, almost oceanic flavors that make Fino so unique.
2. The grapes for Fino Sherry are deliberately harvested early and pressed so gently that only the first 70% of juice is used. The remaining 30% contains too many tannins and would interfere with the delicate flor development. This "primera yema" (first tear) juice is so pristine that it ferments into a bone-dry wine with almost no residual sugar – making authentic Fino one of the driest wines on Earth.
3. Fino Sherry bottles have no vintage dates because the wine inside could be a blend of dozens of different years, some potentially decades old. The solera aging system continuously blends older wine with newer additions, creating a consistent flavor profile that transcends any single harvest. Your glass of Fino might contain wine from the 1980s mixed with wine from last year – it's liquid time travel.
4. Despite being fortified to 15-17% alcohol, Fino Sherry is actually considered an aperitif wine and should be served ice-cold like a white wine, not sipped neat like other fortified wines. The Spanish traditionally serve it straight from the refrigerator in small glasses, and once opened, it starts losing its fresh, tangy character within days – making it more perishable than regular wine despite its higher alcohol content.
5. The chalky albariza soil where Palomino grapes grow contains fossilized marine organisms from when this part of Spain was underwater millions of years ago. These ancient sea creature remains create a soil so reflective it acts like a natural mirror, bouncing sunlight back up to the grape clusters and contributing to the mineral, almost salty finish that makes Fino Sherry taste like it carries the memory of the ocean in every sip.