10/31/05 Monday question - Sherry

Welcome to Vine to Wine, this is your host Linda Moran, and today we are answering questions from our email. Recently a listener wrote to ask, "I received a very expensive bottle of Sherry as a gift. Can you tell me how long it will last once it is opened? Wow! That is very nice! Sherry is a rather uncommon gift. The question about how long it will last once it is open is a good one. However, the listener did not mention what kind of Sherry they received. This is a key to how long it will retain its character after opening. A Fino sherry, which is a drier style, should be consumed rather quickly after opening. It probably will not last longer than a week in the refrigerator. However, an Oloroso sherry, which is sweeter and less fragile, will remain delicious for several weeks, maybe longer, without even being refrigerated. Although, I would recommend refrigeration. Another question along those same lines "Can you give me some ideas of how to serve sherry?" Of course, I can! Try serving a dry sherry well chilled as a "cocktail" or an aperitif prior to dinner. It is a great way to break out of the usual beverages. Serve it with olives, salty almonds, and chilled shrimp. In the winter, it is great served with a cream soup as a starter course. And it is fabuolous when poured directly into your clam or fish chowder. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.