ABV % for low
15-16.4%
ABV % for medium
16.5-18.4%
ABV % for high
18.5%+
SQA Fino/Manzanilla
S: pale lemon, dry, light-med body, low abv (15.5), low acid
Q: good to outstanding, inexpensive to premium
A: range - bread dough, apple, almonds
SQA Amontillado
S: Dry, medium abv (above 16%), lighter body
Q: inexpensive to premium
A: apple, almond, bread, spice, herbs, tobacco
SQA Palo Cortado
S: Dry (under 5g/L), medium to high abv (17-22%)
Q: Very good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium
A: Amontillado aromas, Oloroso palate
SQA Oloroso
S: brown, high abv (18-22%)
Q: acceptable to outstanding, inexpensive to premium
A: dried fruit, raisin, prune, caramel, walnut
What does En Rama mean in Sherry
representation of wines straight from the barrel. No clarification, fining, or cold stabilisation. More intense and complex. Can be applied to any style but most often seen for Fino
SQA PX Sherry (Naturally Sweet)
S: Deep brown, Sweet (212-500g/L), low acid, 15-22% abv
Q: inexpensive to premium
A: pronounced raisins, molasses, licorice
SQA Moscatel Sherry (Naturally Sweet)
S: sweet (160-375g/L), 15–22% abv
Q: inexpensive to premium
A: grape, orange blossom, aromatic, biological OR oxidative
SWA Pale Cream Sherry (sweetened)
S: Medium sweet to sweet (45-115g/L)
Q: Acceptable to good, inexpensive
A: Light flor notes
SQA Medium Cream Sherry (sweetened)
S: 4-115g/L
Q: inexpensive to premium
A: biological and oxidative notes
SQA Cream Sherry (sweetened)
S: 115-140g/L
Q: inexpensive to premium
A: oxidative notes
SQA Basic Ruby Port
S: deep ruby, medium body, medium tannin
Q: acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid
A: red and black fruit, simple, fruity
SQA Age Indicated Tawny Port
S: tawny, sweet
Q:: Mid priced to premium, VG to outstanding
A: Dried fruit, caramel, coffee, walnut
SQA Vintage Port
S: Deep color, full body, high tannin
Q: VG to outstanding
A: Pronounced ripe black fruit, dried fruit, forest floor
SQA Sercial Madeira
S: dry or extra dry, lightest color and body
A: Citrus Peel, nutty
SQA Verdelho Madeira
S: medium dry, deeper color, fuller body, rounder texture than Sercial
A: candied fruits
SQA Boal Madeira
S: Medium sweet, fuller body, darker color than Sercial and Verdelho
A: Caramel, chocolate, candied nuts
SQA Malmsey (Malvasia)
S: sweet, brown, full bodied
A: Raisins, caramel
SQA Terrantez
S: medium dry or medium sweet
A: citrus peel, caramel, floral
SQA Rainwater Madeira
S: Light body, light abv (18%), medium dry
Q: max 10 years
A: light intensity
SQA Rutherglen Muscat
S: medium amber/tawny, sweet, med (+) acid, full body
Q: Very good, midprice
A: pronounced raisins, figs, sweet spice
SQA Grand/Rare Rutherglen Muscat
S: brown, sweeter, fuller body, high acid
Q: outstanding, super premium price
A: nutty, molasses, licorice
