Fino & Manzanilla Sherry: The Ultimate Guide to Spain’s Refreshing Summer Wines
Why Fino & Manzanilla Are the Perfect Summer Wines
The recent heatwaves have been so hot that we Somerset dwellers could be forgiven for thinking we’d been transported to Andalucía. There’s no better time to refresh yourself as the locals do, with a well-chilled glass of Fino or Manzanilla Sherry.
Although many people still think of Sherry as something reserved for Christmas, dry Sherry is actually one of the world’s most refreshing summer wines. Crisp, savoury and wonderfully food-friendly, Fino Sherry and Manzanilla Sherry are perfect as an aperitif or alongside tapas, seafood and salty snacks.
If you’ve never explored this fascinating corner of the wine world, you’re in for a treat.
A Personal Favourite
As The Wine Shop’s resident Sherry enthusiast, I enjoy my Sherry with the seasons. Amontillado in spring, Palo Cortado in autumn and Oloroso in winter with a bowl of walnuts.
But if I could only choose one style, it would always be Fino, and its coastal cousin, Manzanilla. They’re wonderfully refreshing whatever the weather, but on a warm summer evening they’re hard to beat.
I have fond memories of sipping chilled Fino on a sultry evening in Seville, and of the time my friends and I confidently ordered “tres vinos” in Bilbao. Our pronunciation wasn’t quite up to scratch and we ended up with three Finos instead! While the others were still haunted by memories of student Sherry parties, I happily drank all three.
What is Sherry?
Sherry is one of the world’s great fortified wines, alongside Port and Madeira. During production, grape spirit is added to the wine, increasing the alcohol level and helping determine the final style.
Unlike Port, which is usually sweet, Spanish Sherry ranges from bone dry to intensely sweet.
Both Fino and Manzanilla are completely dry styles and should always be served well chilled. (Although I have endured room-temperature Fino in my youth, thanks to my father’s preference. I survived!)
One of the fascinating things about Sherry is its ageing system.
Rather than ageing as individual vintages, most Sherries mature in a solera, a fractional blending system that combines wines of different ages to maintain remarkable consistency. This means every bottle contains both younger and much older wines, offering exceptional complexity and value.
What Makes Fino & Manzanilla Different?
The character of Sherry depends largely on whether a natural layer of yeast, known as flor, develops on the surface of the wine while it matures.
Biological Ageing
Both Fino and Manzanilla are biologically aged.
The wine is fortified to around 15% ABV, allowing the flor to survive. This protective layer prevents oxidation while gradually adding its own distinctive flavours.
The result is a pale wine with notes of:
- Fresh bread
- Dough
- Yeast
- Almond
- Umami
- Saline freshness
These wines remain light in colour and incredibly fresh despite their age.
Oxidative Ageing
By contrast, Oloroso is fortified to around 18% ABV, which kills the flor.
Without this protective layer, the wine oxidises, producing rich flavours of walnuts, toasted hazelnuts, caramel and dried fruit while developing its distinctive deep amber colour.
The Best of Both Worlds
Between these styles sit Amontillado and Palo Cortado.
These wines begin life under flor before later ageing oxidatively, giving them an attractive combination of savoury freshness alongside richer nutty complexity.
Fino vs Manzanilla
Although very similar, there are some fascinating differences.
Manzanilla can only be produced in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, one corner of Andalucía’s famous “Sherry Triangle.”
The cooler, more humid coastal climate allows the flor to remain active throughout the year.
As a result, Manzanilla is generally:
- Paler in colour
- Lighter in body
- More delicate
- More saline
- Slightly higher in acidity
Fino, produced primarily around Jerez and El Puerto de Santa María, develops a little more almond character and slightly greater richness.
Fun Fact
Many tasters describe Manzanilla as showing hints of chamomile and crab apple.
Appropriately enough, manzanilla is also the Spanish word for chamomile.
Try Your Own Blind Tasting
One of the best ways to appreciate these subtle differences is with a simple blind tasting.
Cover the bottles with foil or a tea towel and ask yourself:
- Which wine tastes nuttier? Usually the Fino.
- Which has the strongest salty, seaside character? Usually the Manzanilla.
- Which makes your mouth water more? Normally the Manzanilla.
It’s a brilliant way to train your palate, and great fun with friends.
Try them side by side with a bottle of Barbadillo Fino Sherry and Barbadillo Manzanilla Sherry.
What Food Goes with Fino & Manzanilla?
One reason sommeliers love these wines is their incredible versatility.
Their savoury umami character makes them exceptional with:
- Tapas
- Olives
- Marcona almonds
- Salted crisps
- Jamón Ibérico
- Smoked almonds
- White fish
- Oysters
- Prawns
- Sushi
- Grilled seafood
Unlike many white wines, they’re also surprisingly successful alongside vinaigrette dressings and dishes featuring mushrooms, thanks to their naturally savoury character.
Serve in a white wine glass, not a tiny Sherry glass, well chilled.
Once opened, keep refrigerated and enjoy within one to two weeks while the fresh flavours remain at their best.
Our Recommended Fino & Manzanilla Sherries
If you’d like to discover these styles for yourself, we recommend two outstanding examples from one of Spain’s finest Sherry producers.
Barbadillo Manzanilla Sherry – £14.99
Our favourite introduction to Manzanilla. Delicate, fresh and beautifully saline, making it the ideal aperitif or seafood partner.
Shop Barbadillo Manzanilla Sherry
Barbadillo Fino Sherry – £15.49
A classic dry Fino showing fresh almond, bread dough and savoury complexity with a crisp finish.
About Barbadillo
Founded in 1821, Barbadillo is one of the great names of Sherry.
The company was the first producer to label a wine as Manzanilla and the first to bottle it commercially, helping establish the style we know today.
Now run by the seventh generation of the family, Barbadillo remains one of Spain’s oldest independent wine businesses. With over 500 hectares of vineyards and 17 historic cellars in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, they are recognised as the world’s largest producer of Manzanilla Sherry.
Discover Dry Sherry at The Wine Shop
Whether you’re completely new to Sherry or looking to revisit one of Spain’s most fascinating wine styles, Fino and Manzanilla are among the most food-friendly wines you’ll ever taste.
Browse our full range of Fortified Wines, or start with the two Barbadillo classics above and discover why chilled dry Sherry deserves a place in every wine lover’s fridge.