Taylor Dry Sherry

Taylor Dry Sherry is an American fortified wine produced in New York's Finger Lakes region, bottled at 18% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, distinguishing it as a serious contender in the domestic fortified wine category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18%  |  Origin: Finger Lakes, New York, USA  |  Fortified Wine (NAS)  |  Producer: Taylor Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Taylor Wine Company was founded in 1880 with a seven-acre vineyard overlooking Keuka Lake in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region. Unlike traditional Spanish sherries made from Palomino grapes grown in the chalky albariza soils of Jerez, Taylor Dry Sherry is produced from Concord grapes native to the Finger Lakes and fortified with brandy to reach its 18% ABV. This distinctly American approach to sherry-style winemaking yields a lighter, more delicate profile than its Iberian counterparts while retaining the nutty complexity that defines the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a gentle nuttiness—roasted almonds and a whisper of toasted walnut. A subtle dried-fruit undertone develops beneath the primary aromas, adding quiet complexity.

Taste: The entry is clean and dry, with medium body carrying flavors of roasted nuts and a faint bitterness reminiscent of almond skin. Mid-palate, the wine reveals a measured astringency balanced by delicate fruit undertones. The overall impression is restrained and savory rather than sweet.

Finish: Moderately long with lingering nutty dryness and a trace of mineral character. The astringent edge softens gradually, leaving a clean, slightly bitter close.

How to Drink Taylor Dry

Serve chilled to around 45–50°F for the best expression of its nutty, dry character; a brief rest in the refrigerator sharpens the wine's crispness and tames any warmth from the fortification. Taylor Dry Sherry also works well as a cocktail and culinary ingredient:

• Sherry Cobbler — The nutty dryness pairs naturally with fresh citrus and seasonal fruit in this classic 19th-century cocktail.
• Bamboo Cocktail — Equal parts dry sherry and dry vermouth with dashes of bitters; Taylor's medium body holds its own against the vermouth.
• Adonis — A low-proof aperitif combining dry sherry with sweet vermouth and orange bitters, where the Concord grape base adds an unexpected American twist.

Best For

• Deglazing pans and finishing sauces in home cooking
• Building a home bar's fortified wine section without a high investment
• Serving as a chilled aperitif before dinner parties
• Introducing curious wine drinkers to American fortified wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Dry Sherry taste like? Taylor Dry Sherry delivers a medium-bodied, dry palate dominated by roasted nut flavors—think almonds and walnuts—with a light astringency and subtle bitterness on the finish. It is notably lighter and more delicate than many Spanish sherries.

How does Taylor Dry compare to Dry Sack Sherry? Dry Sack is a blended Spanish sherry from Jerez made primarily from Palomino grapes and aged using the solera system, giving it deeper oxidative complexity. Taylor Dry Sherry, by contrast, is an American fortified wine from Concord grapes that tends toward a lighter, simpler nutty profile at a lower price point.

Is Taylor Dry Sherry good for cooking? Taylor Dry Sherry is one of the most widely used cooking sherries in American kitchens, valued for adding nutty depth to cream sauces, soups, and pan reductions without the higher cost of imported Spanish sherry.

Where is Taylor Dry Sherry made? It is produced by the Taylor Wine Company in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, originally established in 1880 on the shores of Keuka Lake. The Finger Lakes is one of the oldest and most acclaimed wine-producing areas in the northeastern United States.

What foods pair well with Taylor Dry Sherry? Roasted almonds and Marcona nuts complement its nutty core. Mushroom risotto mirrors its earthy, savory character. Aged cheeses like Manchego or sharp cheddar match its dryness. Cream-based soups, especially bisques, pair well because the sherry's acidity cuts through richness. Seared scallops with brown butter offer a classic pairing for any dry sherry.

What sizes does Taylor Dry Sherry come in? Taylor Dry Sherry is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, though 1.5L formats have also been produced for the brand's sherry line.

Is Taylor Dry Sherry worth the price? Taylor Dry Sherry positions firmly in the value tier of fortified wines, making it one of the most affordable entry points into the category. For cooking purposes and casual sipping, it delivers solid quality well above its modest price, as reflected by its 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating.

Why Taylor Dry?

Taylor Dry Sherry holds a unique position in the American fortified wine landscape: it is one of the few domestically produced dry sherries with recognized critical credentials, including a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Its Finger Lakes heritage and Concord grape base set it apart from the Spanish Fino and Manzanilla styles that dominate the category, offering a distinctly American interpretation of fortified winemaking rooted in over 140 years of production history. For cooks and casual drinkers seeking a reliable, affordable dry sherry with genuine nutty character, Taylor remains a category staple that has earned its reputation through consistency rather than flash.