Port vs. Sherry — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 20, 2024
Port is a sweet, fortified wine from Portugal, typically enjoyed as a dessert wine, while Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain, available in both dry and sweet varieties, often consumed as an aperitif.
Difference Between Port and Sherry
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Port is a fortified wine originating from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It is typically sweet, red, and served as a dessert wine. Fortified during fermentation with grape spirit, it retains residual sugar, resulting in its characteristic sweetness. Sherry, on the other hand, hails from the Jerez region of Spain. It is also a fortified wine but is known for its wide range of styles, from very dry to very sweet. The primary dry styles include Fino and Manzanilla, which are pale and crisp, and Oloroso, which is richer and darker.
Port is often enjoyed after meals due to its sweetness, complementing desserts and cheeses. Sherry, depending on its style, can be consumed before or after meals. Dry Sherries are excellent aperitifs, while sweet Sherries can accompany desserts or serve as dessert on their own.
Port's distinctive sweetness and robustness come from its grape varieties and early fortification, whereas Sherry's unique range of flavors is a result of its solera aging system and the type of grapes used, such as Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Douro Valley, Portugal
Jerez, Spain
Fortification
During fermentation
After fermentation
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Sweetness
Typically sweet
Ranges from very dry to very sweet
Primary Styles
Ruby, Tawny, Vintage
Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso, PX
Consumption
Dessert wine
Aperitif or dessert wine
Compare with Definitions
Port
Aged in barrels or bottles to develop complex flavors.
The 20-year-old Tawny Port had a rich, nutty taste.
Sherry
A fortified wine from the Jerez region of Spain.
Fino Sherry is a popular choice as an aperitif.
Port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manchester and Duluth; these access the sea via rivers or canals.
Sherry
Fortified after fermentation is complete.
The Oloroso Sherry was dark and full-bodied.
Port
A town or city with a harbour or access to navigable water where ships load or unload
The French port of Toulon
Port Elizabeth
Sherry
Can be very dry or very sweet depending on the style.
Pedro Ximénez Sherry is exceptionally sweet and rich.
Port
A strong, sweet dark red (occasionally brown or white) fortified wine, originally from Portugal, typically drunk as a dessert wine
Tawny ports do not need decanting
They settled down to a final glass of port
Sherry
Made from grapes like Palomino and Pedro Ximénez.
Palomino grapes are used to make dry Sherry.
Port
The side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when one is facing forward
The ferry was listing to port
The port side of the aircraft
Sherry
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.
Port
An opening in the side of a ship for boarding or loading.
Sherry
A fortified Spanish wine ranging from very dry to sweet and from amber to brown.
Port
A socket in a computer network into which a device can be plugged
A communications port for optional cellular and other wireless modules
Sherry
A similar wine made elsewhere.
Port
A gate or gateway, especially into a walled city.
Sherry
(uncountable) A fortified wine produced in Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, or a similar wine produced elsewhere.
Port
The position required by an order to port a weapon
Parker had his rifle at the port
Sherry
A variety of sherry.
They produce several quality sherries.
Port
A person's carriage or bearing
She has the proud port of a princess
Sherry
A glass of sherry.
Would you like a sherry?
Port
A transfer of software from one system or machine to another
The first port of a commercial database to this operating system
Sherry
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.
Port
A suitcase or travelling bag
She packed her ports and walked out
Sherry
Dry to sweet amber wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain or similar wines produced elsewhere; usually drunk as an aperitif
Port
Turn (a ship or its helm) to port
The yacht immediately raised all sail and ported her helm
Sherry
Produced using a solera aging system.
The solera system gives Sherry its distinctive character.
Port
Transfer (software) from one system or machine to another
The software can be ported to practically any platform
Port
Carry or convey
We ported the milk cans from the plentiful water supply of the gym
Port
A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.
Port
A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.
Port
The waterfront district of a city.
Port
A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.
Port
A port of entry.
Port
The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft facing forward. Also called larboard.
Port
An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior.
Port
A porthole.
Port
(Archaic) A cover for a porthole.
Port
An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.
Port
A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons.
Port
An entrance to or exit from a data network.
Port
A connection point for a peripheral device.
Port
(Scots) A gateway or portal, as to a town.
Port
A rich sweet fortified wine.
Port
The position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.
Port
The manner in which one carries oneself; bearing.
Port
Of, relating to, or on the port.
Port
To turn (a craft) or make a shift to the port side
Port the helm.
Ported sharply to avoid a shoal.
Port
(Computers) To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform.
Port
To hold or carry (a weapon) diagonally across the body, with the muzzle or blade near the left shoulder.
Port
A place on the coast at which ships can shelter, or dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.
Port
A town or city containing such a place, a port city.
Port
The left-hand side of a vessel, including aircraft, when one is facing the front. Used to unambiguously refer to directions relative to the vessel structure, rather than to a person or object on board.
Port
(rowing) A sweep rower that primarily rows with an oar on the port side.
Each eight has four ports and four starboards.
Port
An entryway or gate.
Port
An opening or doorway in the side of a ship, especially for boarding or loading; an embrasure through which a cannon may be discharged; a porthole.
Port
A space between two stones wide enough for a delivered stone or bowl to pass through.
Port
An opening where a connection (such as a pipe) is made.
Port
(computing) A logical or physical construct in and from which data are transferred. Computer port (hardware)
Port
(computing) A female connector of an electronic device, into which a cable's male connector can be inserted.
Port
Something used to carry a thing, especially a frame for wicks in candle-making.
Port
(archaic) The manner in which a person carries himself; bearing; deportment; carriage. See also portance.
Port
(military) The position of a weapon when ported; a rifle position executed by throwing the weapon diagonally across the front of the body, with the right hand grasping the small of the stock and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder.
Port
(computing) A program that has been adapted, modified, or recoded so that it works on a different platform from the one for which it was created; the act of this adapting.
Gamers can't wait until a port of the title is released on the new system.
The latest port of the database software is the worst since we made the changeover.
Port
A set of files used to build and install a binary executable file from the source code of an application.
Port
A type of very sweet fortified wine, mostly dark red, traditionally made in Portugal.
Port
(Australia) A suitcase or schoolbag.
Port
(nautical) Of or relating to port, the left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow.
On the port side
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; said of the helm.
Port your helm!
Port
To carry, bear, or transport. See porter.
Port
(military) To hold or carry (a weapon) with both hands so that it lays diagonally across the front of the body, with the barrel or similar part near the left shoulder and the right hand grasping the small of the stock; or, to throw (the weapon) into this position on command.
Port arms!
Port
To adapt, modify, or create a new version of, a program so that it works on a different platform. Porting (computing)
Port
To carry or transfer (an existing telephone number) from one telephone service provider to another.
Port
To transfer a voucher or subsidy from one jurisdiction to another.
Port
A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.
Port
A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads.
We are in port if we have Thee.
Port
In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence they depart and where they finish their voyages.
Port
A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal.
Him I accuseThe city ports by this hath entered.
Form their ivory port the cherubimForth issuing.
Port
An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also, the shutters which close such an opening.
Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water.
Port
A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid, as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in a valve seat, or valve face.
Port
The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port.
And of his port as meek as is a maid.
The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world.
Port
The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.
Port
To carry; to bear; to transport.
They are easily ported by boat into other shires.
Port
To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.
Began to hem him round with ported spears.
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; - said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.
Port
A place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
Port
Sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal
Port
An opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through
Port
The left side of a ship or aircraft to someone facing the bow or nose
Port
(computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)
Port
Transfer data from one computer to another via a cable that links connecting ports
Port
Put or turn on the left side, of a ship;
Port the helm
Port
Bring to port;
The captain ported the ship at night
Port
Land at or reach a port;
The ship finally ported
Port
Turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship;
The big ship was slowly porting
Port
Carry, bear, convey, or bring;
The small canoe could be ported easily
Port
Carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons;
Port a rifle
Port
Drink port;
We were porting all in the club after dinner
Port
Located on the left side of a ship or aircraft
Port
A sweet, fortified wine from Portugal.
After dinner, we enjoyed a glass of Tawny Port.
Port
Wine fortified during fermentation to retain sweetness.
Ruby Port is known for its fruity flavor.
Port
Dessert wine often served with cheese or chocolate.
The Vintage Port paired perfectly with blue cheese.
Port
Made primarily from grapes grown in the Douro Valley.
The Douro Valley is renowned for producing high-quality Port.
Common Curiosities
How is Sherry fortified?
Sherry is fortified after fermentation, with styles ranging from dry to sweet.
What is Sherry wine?
Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain, available in both dry and sweet varieties.
How is Port fortified?
Port is fortified during fermentation, retaining residual sugar and resulting in its sweetness.
When is Sherry typically consumed?
Sherry can be consumed as an aperitif or dessert wine, depending on the style.
What grapes are used in Port production?
Port is made from grapes grown in Portugal's Douro Valley, such as Touriga Nacional.
What is Port wine?
Port is a sweet, fortified wine from Portugal, often served as a dessert wine.
What are the primary types of Sherry?
Primary types of Sherry include Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez.
What grapes are used in Sherry production?
Sherry is made from grapes like Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel.
Can Port be used in cooking?
Yes, Port can be used in cooking, especially in sauces and desserts.
What are the main styles of Port?
The main styles of Port include Ruby, Tawny, and Vintage.
When is Port typically consumed?
Port is typically consumed as a dessert wine after meals.
How does the aging process differ for Port and Sherry?
Port can age in barrels or bottles, while Sherry ages in a solera system.
What foods pair well with Sherry?
Dry Sherry pairs well with tapas and seafood, while sweet Sherry pairs with desserts.
What foods pair well with Port?
Port pairs well with desserts, cheeses, and chocolate.
Can Sherry be used in cooking?
Yes, Sherry is often used in cooking, particularly in soups, sauces, and marinades.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
