Cream & Medium Sherry - More alike than you might think

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between Cream Sherry and Medium Sherry, you’re not alone. The two styles can seem remarkably similar - and in many ways, they are, and you should be open-minded to trying them.

Both are sweet, fortified wines that are generally rich, smooth and approachable. In fact, the distinction is often less dramatic than the names suggest. But there are some important differences in how they are made, how sweet they taste and what you might pair them with.

So, are Cream and Medium Sherry basically the same?

Almost - but not quite.

The biggest similarity is that both styles sit on the sweeter side of the Sherry spectrum. Both can offer flavours of dried fruit, caramel, nuts and spice, making them excellent choices for sipping or pairing with desserts and richer foods.

The main difference is sweetness and style.

Medium Sherry

Medium Sherry is typically a blend designed to balance sweetness with the nuttier, more savoury character associated with traditional Sherry. It tends to be less sweet and lighter on the palate than Cream Sherry, often with a noticeable nutty or oxidative character underneath the sweetness.

It’s a particularly versatile style: enjoyable on its own, but also well suited to food.

Cream Sherry

Cream Sherry is generally richer, sweeter and fuller-bodied, but the honest truth is its incredibly close to Medium. Despite its name, it contains no cream - the name refers to its creamy, luscious texture.

Cream Sherry often has pronounced flavours of raisins, figs, caramel and dried fruit, making it feel more slightly more indulgent than Medium Sherry, but not enough to stop me purchasing a Medium Sherry if availability is an issue.

Which one should you choose?

If you prefer a Sherry that balances sweetness with nuttiness and freshness, Medium Sherry is likely to be the better choice. Our pick is the Diatomists Medium Sherry, absolutely sublime and beats any Cream Sherry for us.

Ultimately, the two styles are much closer cousins than their names might imply. Both offer the distinctive richness of Sherry, and the choice largely comes down to how sweet and full-bodied you like your wine.