Jerez de la Frontera wine tour: Is Sherry a wine?
Spain is one of the most popular countries to visit in the entire world and it has some of the highest tourist numbers in Europe. There are many areas of interest to plan a Spain itinerary, like its vibrant capital of Madrid, the Gaudi architecture of Barcelona, the beaches and nightlife of the Balearic Islands or the gastronomy of the Basque country.
But above all taking a sherry wine tour in Jerez de la Frontera is more than just an opportunity to taste these local wines. It is a journey into the history of Andalucía going back more than 3000 years and travelling through the centuries as numerous civilizations that occupied this rich land.
So, if you’re wondering where to start when planning a southern Spain itinerary, you have come to the right place!
HEAD TO THE SOUTH OF SPAIN
Each country has its beautiful cities, but in Spain they blend historic appeal, modern vivacity and a distinctly exotic quality like few others. Besides, Spain’s southernmost region is packed with some of the country’s most fascinating cities.
One of the most popular and desired regions is Andalucía in the south of the country. Known for its diverse landscape, fantastic cuisine, historic cities, and laid-back culture, planning a southern Spain itinerary through Andalucía is one of the best trips you could take in Europe.
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN: AN INTERCULTURAL CITY
Jerez de la Frontera is an amazing city situated in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, in the valley of the Guadalquivir River. Belonging to the province of Cádiz, this city is one of southern Spain’s most beautiful destinations. Steeped in horse fairs, flamenco and sherry, it’s a must-visit city if you’re travelling around Andalusia.
Jerez’s one cultural emblem is sherry. The surrounding countryside is the only place on earth where the drink is made from palomino grapes that grow in the loose, chalky soil. To learn about Jerez’s centuries-old association with sherry, take a tour of the cellars (bodegas) of the city’s most famous brand, Tio Pepe.
Jerez de la Frontera: a distinguished origin for a unique wine
TRY THE DRY SPANISH WINE FROM THE SHERRIES PLACE
Spanish white wines are generally light, dry and made to be drunk young, meaning they are ready to drink upon release and do not benefit from aging. They are pleasant wines that pair well with light dishes.
“Sherry” doesn’t refer to a particular grape. Sherry is a place and in Spain it refers to a triangle of wine-making land between three towns in Andalusia. And the largest and most important of those towns is Jerez de la Frontera, the ancestral home of sherry wines!
Is sherry a wine?
Sherry is one of the oldest wines in the world. It was being made during the time of Moorish occupation of Andalucia until 1231. Back then, Jerez was known as Sherrish.
Sherry is truly unique in the world and it is exclusively produced in the wine-growing region of Jerez. This region is situated in a triangle of land formed by the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María.
How Is Sherry Made
Most sherry is made with palomino white grapes, but moscatel and pedro ximénez grapes are also used in some regions for sweet sherries. The grapes are harvested in early September and then crushed at the nearby vineyards. After that, the must goes into steel tanks for the first fermentation. Once the fermentation is over, they add in a grape brandy known as destilado, which makes sherry a fortified wine.
At this stage, sherry producers separate wine into two batches: Finos and Olorosos. Both wines go through an ageing system called the solera y criadera, designed centuries ago to maintain the same wine quality year after year. During this process, the wine moves between rows of oak barrels.
TASTE THE SWEET SPANISH SHERRY WINE
Sherry is pretty much like Spanish sunshine in a glass. These rich and syrupy wines are a pleasure, basically dessert in a glass.
Only fortified white wines bottled in Jerez and made using Jerez grapes can be awarded the D.O Jerez y Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Denominación de Origen) title. This protected designation of origin is what sets this wine apart from the rest.
Despite having a fuddy-duddy reputation in the UK, in Spain, sherry is the stylish drink of choice for combatting the heat of the summer.
STAY CLOSE TO THE SHERRY TRIANGLE
Book this sherry tour to experience the sights and smells of a real-life working Jerez winery.
Enjoy savoring the Jerez wine! Learn about how the region’s chalky soil provides the ideal growing conditions for the three key sherry grape varieties. Take shelter from the sun and head inside an old winery.
Breathe in the heady aromas of fermenting wine and let your eyes take in the enormity of the barrel hall. We are waiting for you!
