'amontillado' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'amontillado,' where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'Montilla' referred to a region in Spain known for its wine production.

'amontillado' has remained largely unchanged from its Spanish origins, maintaining its reference to a specific type of sherry wine.

Initially, it referred to a wine from Montilla, but over time it evolved to describe a specific style of sherry wine.