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Sherry vs. Vermouth — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain, while vermouth is an aromatized wine, often used as an aperitif or in cocktails, flavored with various botanicals.
Sherry vs. Vermouth — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Sherry and Vermouth

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Key Differences

Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes in the Andalusia region of Spain, known for its nutty and dry flavor profiles. Vermouth, although also a fortified wine, is infused with herbs and spices and can be sweet or dry.
Sherry undergoes a unique aging process called solera, which blends various vintages for consistency. Vermouth is aromatized with a range of botanicals, including roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices.
The flavor of sherry varies widely from dry and light versions like Fino to sweet and dark like Cream sherry. Vermouth is divided into two main types: sweet, red vermouth and dry, white vermouth, each with a distinct flavor.
Sherry is often consumed on its own or used in cooking, especially in Spanish cuisine. Vermouth is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails, such as the Martini and the Manhattan.
While both can be enjoyed as sippers, sherry is more often categorized as a wine, and vermouth is more integral to the mixology scene, noted for its complexity and versatility in drinks.
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Comparison Chart

Origin

Spain, particularly Andalusia.
Italy and France.

Base

White grapes.
Wine with added botanicals.

Types

Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, etc.
Dry (white), sweet (red), extra-dry, etc.

Usage

Often consumed alone or in cooking.
Commonly used in cocktails.

Flavoring

Fortified but not typically aromatized.
Aromatized with herbs and spices.

Compare with Definitions

Sherry

Used in culinary dishes
He deglazed the pan with sherry for the sauce.

Vermouth

Flavored with botanicals
The vermouth's botanicals are a secret blend.

Sherry

Varies from dry to sweet
I prefer a dry sherry with my appetizer.

Vermouth

Aromatized fortified wine
She added a splash of vermouth to the cocktail.

Sherry

A fortified Spanish wine
She savored a glass of aged sherry by the fire.

Vermouth

Essential in mixology
A dry vermouth is crucial for a classic Martini.

Sherry

A solera-aged wine
This sherry has been aged in a solera system for complexity.

Vermouth

Available in sweet or dry
Do you prefer sweet or dry vermouth in your Manhattan?

Sherry

A wine from Jerez
True sherry must come from the Jerez region.

Vermouth

Often served as an aperitif
They were offered vermouth as a pre-dinner aperitif.

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.

Vermouth

Vermouth (, UK also ) is an aromatized fortified wine, flavoured with various botanicals (roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices) and sometimes colored. The modern versions of the beverage were first produced in the mid- to late 18th century in Turin, Italy.

Sherry

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

Vermouth

A sweet or dry fortified wine flavored with aromatic herbs and used chiefly in mixed drinks.

Sherry

A similar wine made elsewhere.

Vermouth

A dry, or sweet apéritif wine flavored with aromatic herbs, and often used in mixed drinks.

Sherry

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

Vermouth

A serving of vermouth.

Sherry

A variety of sherry.
They produce several quality sherries.

Vermouth

Any of several white wines flavored with aromatic herbs; used as aperitifs or in mixed drinks

Sherry

A glass of sherry.
Would you like a sherry?

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.

Sherry

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

Common Curiosities

What cocktails use vermouth?

Vermouth is used in Martini, Manhattan, Negroni, and many other classic cocktails.

What is vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified and aromatized wine, typically used in cocktails, and can be sweet or dry.

What are the botanicals in vermouth?

Botanicals in vermouth can include herbs, spices, and bitter roots, but recipes are often proprietary.

What is sherry?

Sherry is a fortified wine from the Jerez region of Spain with a range of styles from dry to sweet.

Can sherry be used in place of vermouth in a cocktail?

While both are fortified wines, their different flavor profiles may not always make them interchangeable in cocktails.

Can vermouth be consumed on its own?

Yes, vermouth can be enjoyed on its own, often as an aperitif.

Is vermouth stronger than regular wine?

Yes, due to fortification, vermouth has a higher alcohol content than unfortified wine.

What's the difference between dry and sweet vermouth?

Dry vermouth is less sweet and more bitter, while sweet vermouth is richer and sweeter.

Is sherry sweet or dry?

Sherry can be both, with styles like Fino being dry and others like Pedro Ximénez being very sweet.

How should sherry be served?

Depending on the type, sherry can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Does vermouth need to be refrigerated?

Yes, after opening, vermouth should be refrigerated to maintain its flavor.

Is sherry a cooking wine?

While there are cooking-specific sherries, many high-quality sherries are also enjoyed as a beverage.

How long does sherry last once opened?

This depends on the type of sherry; Fino and Manzanilla should be consumed quickly, while others can last longer.

Can sherry go bad?

Like all wines, sherry can oxidize and lose quality over time, especially after opening.

What food pairs well with sherry?

Sherry pairs well with a variety of foods, from almonds and olives to soups and seafood.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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