Best Tomato Soup Ever

INGREDIENTS

• Freshly ground black pepper
• One 46-ounce bottle or can tomato juice
• 1 or 2 tablespoons chicken base, or 3 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Two 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
• 1 cup sherry, optional
• 3 to 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 medium white or yellow onion