Pedro Ximenez, sherry wine

Naturally sweet sherries are made from the must of overripe or sunned grapes, generally from the Pedro Ximénez or Muscat varieties. The musts are only partially fermented, so as to preserve the original sweetness, and wine alcohol is added to them.

Both Pedro Ximénez and Muscatel are consumed mainly as accompaniments to desserts. Pedro Ximénez is also used in cooking, for making reductions. Muscatel has a fresh sweetness, with a slightly dry and bitter finish. Pedro Ximénez has an acidity that reduces the extreme sweetness and the warmth of the alcohol, and a long, flavorsome finish.