Photo via: Vinos de Jerez (www.sherry.wine)
As anyone who has been watching the news of the wine world knows, the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Denominación de Origin (DO) has been undergoing a bit of a renaissance over the last few years. Recent updates to the classic wine region include a few newly-approved grape varieties in the wines of the region, a recently revised category of Sherry (Fino Viejo), and a long list of official sub-zones and smaller geographical units in the “fine print” of the appellation.
As of July 29, (2025), we have yet another new development in the regulations of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO: unfortified wine. (Note: fortification refers to the addition of alcohol, typically grape spirit or wine spirit, to a wine for the purpose of increasing its alcohol by volume/abv.)
Until now, Sherry has famously been known as a fortified wine (also known as vino generoso or liqueur wine). While most Sherry will undoubtedly remain as a fortified wine, the new rules allow unfortified wines to be bottled under the auspices of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO if they obtain a minimum of 15% abv (by natural means). The following types of Sherry may be bottled as unfortified wine (while the allowance for fortified styles remains): Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado.
- According to the proposed amendment to the Pliego de Condiciones for the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO (submitted to the EU in 2022), the reasoning behind this change includes the following:
- Due to the conditions brought about by climate change, the wines of the region often reach natural alcoholic strengths of close to or even above 15 % after the conclusion of primary fermentation.
- The use of the traditional practice of asoleo (drying the grape bunches in the sun after harvesting) may provide the grapes (must) with the natural means to reach 15% abv via primary fermentation, reducing the need for fortification.
- The absence of fortification has been found to have no impact on the organoleptic characteristics of the wines as described in the specification.
We’ll be on the lookout for more updates, and for unfortified Sherry to hit the shelves!
Note: This update also applies to the Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO.
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org