The term sherry (referring to a type of white wine) has an interesting history. It was initially recorded as shirry in the early 1700s, with variations such as shery and sherie before settling on the modern form towards the end of the century. Previously known as sherris, confusion arose due to the mistaken belief that the “s” indicated plurality, leading to the gradual elimination of the sound. The word originates from the Spanish phrase vino de Xeres, translating to “wine from Xeres”, a region in Andalusia. The name Xeres (now Jeres) is derived from the Roman city name urbs Caesaris, meaning “city of Caesar”. The etymology of “Caesar” is debated, possibly stemming from the Latin word caeso, meaning “cut out”. Although literary use of the term peaked in 1867, recent trends show a resurgence in popularity.
