Sherry is a fortified wine that originates from Spain. It is made from white grapes grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is unique in that it undergoes a special aging process known as the solera system, where wines of different ages are systematically blended over many years. This results in complex aromas and flavors.
Cream sherry is a sweet style of sherry made by blending naturally sweet sherries with dried, sweetened grape juice. It has a rich, syrupy texture and flavors of raisins, nuts, caramel, and vanilla. Cream sherry is commonly used for drinking and cooking. An unopened bottle can be stored for many months or even years. However, once opened, cream sherry will eventually go bad. Here’s how to tell if your opened bottle of cream sherry has gone bad:
Appearance
Examine the liquid inside the bottle. Good cream sherry should be opaque and cream or light amber in color. If it looks more brown, murky, or slightly gray, that is a sign it may be oxidized and spoiled. Sediment on the bottom of the bottle is also indicative of a bad sherry.
Smell
Give it a sniff. Fresh cream sherry will smell sweet, with aromas of vanilla, caramel, raisins, and nuts. A spoiled cream sherry will have an unpleasant sour, vinegary odor. It may also smell a bit like Sherry vinegar. Any strong alcohol or solvent type smells are a red flag for a bad sherry.
Taste
Take a small sip. Good cream sherry tastes lightly sweet and smooth. It should not taste unpleasantly sour, bitter, or very alcoholic. A spoiled cream sherry will taste noticeably more acidic, sharp, or bitter. It may burn more going down. Any moldy, rancid, or rotten tastes mean the sherry has turned.
Texture
Note the texture and mouthfeel. Quality cream sherry has a silky, syrupy consistency. Bad sherry can taste thin, watery, or stringy rather than creamy. Curdled or chunky texture is also a giveaway that it has spoiled.
Age
Consider how long you’ve had it. An unopened bottle of cream sherry has a shelf life of several months to a few years from the bottling date. Once opened, it will keep 6-8 months if stored properly in the fridge. If your opened cream sherry is older than 8 months, it’s best to toss it.
Storage Conditions
Think about how you stored it. Cream sherry lasts longest when sealed tightly and refrigerated after opening. Leaving it sitting out, exposed to air, heat, or light will shorten its shelf life. Improper storage like this can cause the sherry to oxidize and spoil more quickly.
What causes cream sherry to go bad?
There are a few key factors that can contribute to an opened bottle of cream sherry going bad prematurely:
Oxidation
Exposure to oxygen starts the oxidation process. When oxygen interacts with compounds in the wine, it causes chemical changes that degrade the flavor and aroma. The sherry takes on a darker color, smells unpleasantly sharp or vinegary, and develops a sour taste.
Heat and Light Exposure
Heat and light also speed up undesirable chemical reactions. Keeping an opened sherry bottle on the counter or near the oven accelerates oxidation. Direct sunlight has a similar damaging effect. Refrigeration helps slow this down.
Yeast and Bacteria
The natural yeasts and bacteria present in wine can sometimes proliferate after bottling. Under the right conditions, they may produce carbon dioxide, alcohol, and acids that diminish quality. Mold growth can also occur. Keeping the sherry sealed and refrigerated prevents microbial spoilage.
Improper Storage
Storing cream sherry incorrectly after opening gives all the above enemies a chance to act. Leaving the bottle sitting out for prolonged periods, exposing it to oxygen, or storing it anywhere warm or sunny can make the sherry go bad faster. Tightly sealing it and refrigerating after use extends the shelf life.
How to properly store cream sherry
To get the most life out of an opened bottle of cream sherry, be sure to:
Seal it Tightly
Always reseal the bottle with its cork or cap immediately after pouring. This minimizes contact with oxygen.
Refrigerate
Keep the sherry chilled at 40°F or below. This inhibits microbial growth and slows chemical reactions.
Use a Small Bottle
Consider transferring leftover cream sherry from the original bottle into a smaller one to minimize ullage (empty air space). Less air exposure means it stays fresher longer.
Keep it Dark
Store it in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator door. Light can accelerate oxidation and other deterioration.
Consume Quickly
Try to use up opened cream sherry within 3-4 weeks. The less time it sits, the better the quality will remain.
How to revive oxidized cream sherry
If your cream sherry shows slight signs of oxidation, like a dull or brownish color, try this simple remedy:
Add a Pinch of Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains antioxidants. Mixing just a pinch into the sherry can help stop further oxidation.
Swirl in a Raisin
Raisins are dense with antioxidant compounds. Let a large raisin soak in the sherry for an hour or more to restore freshness.
Stir in Lemon Juice
The acidity and vitamin C in lemon juice are great for countering oxidation. Add no more than 1/4 tsp per glass and taste.
Sweeten with Sugar
Balancing out increased sourness with a bit of sugar, like 1/2 tsp per glass, can help improve flavor.
Blend with Fresher Sherry
For a quick fix, blend the oxidized cream sherry with a fresher, younger cream sherry.
What recipes work with oxidized cream sherry?
Don’t dump cream sherry that’s past its prime! Slightly oxidized sherry can still be used to make delicious food. Its strong, complex flavor adds great depth. Here are some recipes where oxidized sherry shines:
Sherry Mushroom Sauce
Sauteed mushrooms in a savory sauce made with slightly sour sherry pair beautifully with steak or chicken. Add shallots, garlic, herbs, and a dash of cream.
Sherry Vinaigrette
Splash some oxidized sherry into your favorite vinaigrette recipe. It provides a nice tangy flavor to dressings and marinades.
Sherry Chicken Stew
Warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg pair wonderfully with not-so-fresh sherry in braises and stews. Cook chicken thighs, vegetables, and prunes with an oxidized sherry base.
Sherry Pears
Poached pears in sherry take on an incredible depth of flavor. The sweet pears balance the sharper notes from the oxidized wine. Delicious over ice cream.
Sherry Hummus
Jazz up hummus with swaps like lemon juice for sour sherry, olive oil for cream sherry, and add smoked paprika. Scoop with veggies or pita chips.
Is oxidized sherry safe to consume?
Mildly oxidized sherry is still safe to eat or cook with. However, if the sherry smells or tastes unpleasantly vinegary, moldy, or rotten, it is best to discard it. Here are some signs sherry has become unsafe:
Mold Growth
Any fuzzy mold spots mean the sherry should be tossed. Consuming mold puts you at risk for allergic reactions or illness.
Strong Vinegar Smell and Taste
If the vinegar flavors overwhelm the other sherry characteristics, that indicates advanced spoilage.
Rotten Egg Smell
A potent sulfurous odor reminiscent of rotten eggs is a sign the sherry has been contaminated. Do not consume!
Unclear Origin
If you purchased the bottle from an unreliable source or it looks tampered with, play it safe and get rid of it.
Making You Sick
Discontinue use if the sherry causes stomach ache, nausea, or other adverse effects after drinking a small amount.
As long as it does not seem toxic based on the above criteria, you can safely use oxidized sherry for cooking. However, drinking moderate amounts is recommended. When in doubt, remember – “When sherry’s gone bad, best to toss it out and be glad!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does unopened cream sherry last?
An unopened bottle of cream sherry will generally stay good for 1-2 years from the bottling date stored in a cool, dark place. Prolonged aging in the bottle can cause the flavors to intensify and the texture to thicken over many years.
What’s the shelf life of opened cream sherry?
An opened bottle of cream sherry will keep for 3-4 months when refrigerated and tightly sealed. If stored improperly, it may only last 4-6 weeks before oxidizing. For maximum freshness, use opened cream sherry within 2-3 weeks.
Can oxidized cream sherry make you sick?
Mild oxidation does not make sherry unsafe. However, if it smells or tastes very vinegary, moldy, or rotten, it may cause illness if consumed and is best discarded. Use common sense when evaluating any spoiled food or beverage.
How do you know if sherry vinegar is bad?
Sherry vinegar has a very long shelf life, even after opening. Look for mold, unpleasant odors, separation of liquid, or slimy texture which indicate it has spoiled. Discard if it ever foams or fizzes when you open it. Properly stored sherry vinegar can keep for several years.
Can you restore bad cooking sherry?
It’s very difficult to salvage a cooking sherry that has gone bad. Attempting to remedy it usually isn’t worthwhile given the low cost. Consider tossing and replacing it if your cooking sherry smells or tastes off. Also replace it yearly for best flavor.
Conclusion
Checking cream sherry for changes in appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and age will help you determine if it has gone bad. Exposure to oxygen, heat, and lightspur oxidation and microbial growth that accelerate spoilage. Store opened bottles sealed and refrigerated to maximize freshness. Reviving mildly oxidized sherry is possible through blending, adding acids and antioxidants, or sweetening. Heavily spoiled sherry should be discarded, but sherry with minimal oxidation can be safely used forcooking. With proper storage and handling, an opened bottle of cream sherry can hold up for months after opening.