Brandy vs. Sherry — What's the Difference?

A distilled spirit made from fermented fruit juice.

Aged through the solera system for complexity.

Popular globally, with regional specialties.

Integral to Spanish cuisine and traditions.

Often enjoyed in cocktails or neat.

A fortified wine from Spain, with a range of styles.

Aged in wooden casks for flavor development.

Served based on its style, from aperitif to dessert.

Varieties include Cognac and Armagnac.

Recognized for its unique taste and versatility.

Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof) and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif.

Sherry (Spanish: Jerez [xeˈɾeθ]) is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, ranging from light versions similar to white table wines, such as Manzanilla and fino, to darker and heavier versions that have been allowed to oxidise as they age in barrel, such as Amontillado and oloroso.

An alcoholic liquor distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

A fortified Spanish wine ranging from very dry to sweet and from amber to brown.

To preserve, flavor, or mix with brandy.

A similar wine made elsewhere.

(uncountable) An alcoholic liquor distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

(uncountable) A fortified wine produced in Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, or a similar wine produced elsewhere.

(countable) Any variety of brandy.

A variety of sherry.

(countable) A glass of brandy.

A glass of sherry.

(transitive) To preserve, flavour, or mix with brandy.

A Spanish light-colored dry wine, made in Andalusia. As prepared for commerce it is colored a straw color or a deep amber by mixing with it cheap wine boiled down.

A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from grain.

Dry to sweet amber wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain or similar wines produced elsewhere; usually drunk as an aperitif

Distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice

Brandy is an alcoholic spirit made by distilling fermented fruit juice, typically grapes.

Sherry is a fortified wine, distinct in its production process, including fermentation, fortification, and aging in a solera system, resulting in unique flavors.

Brandy can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as part of cocktails, depending on personal preference and the style of brandy.

Sherry's unique flavor comes from its grape varieties, fortification, and the solera aging process, which blends different vintages together.

The solera system gradually mixes younger wines with older ones, creating a consistent and complex flavor profile over time.

Yes, while grapes are the most common, brandy can be made from other fruits like apples and pears, known as fruit brandies.

Cognac and Armagnac from France are among the most renowned types of brandy, known for their quality and flavor.

Brandy typically has a higher alcohol content, around 40-60%, while Sherry's alcohol content ranges from 15-22% due to its fortification process.

Yes, Sherry is often used in cooking to add depth and flavor to dishes, especially in Spanish cuisine.

Sherry can be enjoyed at different times, from an aperitif to a dessert wine, depending on its style and sweetness.

Brandy pairs well with rich desserts, cheese, and even used in culinary sauces for its depth of flavor.

Sherry ranges from dry varieties like Fino and Manzanilla to sweet ones like Cream and Pedro Ximénez.

While Sherry is strongly associated with Spain, similar fortified wines are produced elsewhere but cannot legally use the name "Sherry".

Brandy can be aged for various periods, from a few years to several decades, affecting its flavor and value.

Sherry is served at different temperatures based on its style, from chilled for lighter Sherries to room temperature for richer, sweeter ones.