Sherry is a Spanish fortified wine that is produced in the Jerez area. It is an English translation of Jerez, originating after English traders began to travel to the Strait of Gibraltar for liqueur wines to return to their homeland. The Anglo-Saxon influence is reflected in the many wineries that have English names and were founded by traders who later settled in Spain. Jerez wines are still among the best on the world wine scene and were highly sought after in past centuries, along with their famous brothers Madeira, Porto, and Marsala, for their natural ability to withstand long sea voyages without deteriorating. With the addition of aquavit, traditional fortification raised the alcohol content and made them more stable and robust. These characteristics made Sherry spread rapidly throughout Europe, becoming one of the most popular wines.
Sherry is a Spanish fortified wine that is produced in the Jerez area. It is an English translation of Jerez, originating after English traders began to travel to the Strait of Gibraltar for liqueur wines to return to their homeland. The Anglo-Saxon influence is reflected in the many wineries that have English names and were founded by traders who later settled in Spain. Jerez wines are still among the best on the world wine scene and were highly sought after in past centuries, along with their famous brothers Madeira, Porto, and Marsala, for their natural ability to withstand long sea voyages without deteriorating. With the addition of aquavit, traditional fortification raised the alcohol content and made them more stable and robust. These characteristics made Sherry spread rapidly throughout Europe, becoming one of the most popular wines.
Sherry is a fortified wine from the Jerez region in Spain, renowned for its variety and complexity. It is made from white grapes, primarily Palomino Fino and Muscatel, and is fortified with added spirit to increase its alcohol content. This winehas various styles, from dry and delicate Fino to rich and sweet Pedro Ximénez Sherry, with unique ageing processes and flavour profiles. The region's unique climate, soils, and traditional production methods influence the wine's distinctive character.
Sherry comes from Andalusia, a region in southern Spain with ancient origins in winemaking.. The wine-growing culture was probably introduced by the Phoenicians, who founded a trading port in Cadiz before the 18th century BC. The tradition of vine cultivation was revived after the Roman occupation and has continued over the centuries to the present day. Its noble origins and long tradition are also evidenced by Sherry being the first Spanish wine to receive the Denominación de Origen. The vineyards are located in the first part of the Cadiz hinterland, in the municipalities of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. Andalusia's climate is scorching and dry, although the Atlantic Ocean softens it, breezes from the Mediterranean Sea, and the Guadalquivir River flows into Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Summers are characterized by hot days with very little rainfall, and temperatures only fall at night due to the effect of the marine thermals, which ensure good temperature ranges. The soils of the Jerez area are mainly made up of a chalky limestone matrix, which is particularly valuable at a latitude where rainfall is very rare. Thanks to its porous nature, the chalk in the soil retains water, and the vines can survive long periods of drought by digging down with their roots in search of the precious water reserves in the subsoil. The composition of the soils changes slightly depending on the percentage of chalk, clays, and sands. The most valuable soils are the white soils, called albariza, mainly found north of Jerez de la Frontera. They are composed of deep, often outcropping chalk banks. The so-called albarizones are very similar but less valuable. They are also chalky soils but with a good clay component. In the northeastern part of the region are the arenas and sand-rich soils that produce wines of great finesse. Lastly, the least valuable soils are the barros, composed mainly of clays and a small amount of chalk, which makes more powerful wines with a less refined profile. In a region with such unique soils and climate, only native grapes are grown, and these have adapted to these conditions over thousands of years, achieving the best integration with the terroir. The three white grape varieties used to produce Jerez wines are Palomino Fino, Pedro Ximenez, and Muscatel.
Sherry is the result of various production stages, methods, and techniques.
The first production phase consists of a classic white vinification of the grapes to obtain dry Sherry. After a short period of ageing, the first choice is made. The most elegant and delicate wines are destined for the production of Fino, with the addition of aquavit to bring them up to an alcoholic strength of 15%. The wine is placed in casks, and thanks to the unique local microclimate, a light layer of yeast, the flor, develops on the surface and matures with very slow oxidation. The wines with the best structure are fortified at 18% and aged in casks. The high percentage of alcohol does not allow for the formation of flor, and the wines mature in an oxidative style. All Jerez wines are aged using the Solera Method, a technique for blending older wines with younger ones to create the right balance of complexity and freshness. The method consists of stacking several layers of barrels. The older wines are stored in the barrels resting on the floor, while the younger ones are stored on top. For bottling, the wine is drawn from the lowest barrel, filled with wine from the one above, and so on.
The term 'Sherry wine' is inclusive. It includes a complex range of very different wines. Their common feature is that they are fortified, with a percentage of spirit added.
In addition to liqueur wines, Jerez is famous for fine distillates, known as Spanish Brandy, which are produced by distilling the region's white wines. While Sherry wines used to be hard to find, today, you can buy excellent Sherries online.
Discover the prestigious Andalusian fortified wines, which are famous worldwide for their elegance and aromatic richness. These unique and inimitable wines perfectly express an ancient tradition.
Both are fortified wines, but the main difference between Port and Sherry is that they come from different regions and have distinct characteristics. Port is produced in the Douro Valley of Portugal and is typically sweet, rich, and full-bodied, with styles ranging from Ruby to Tawny. On the other hand, Sherry originates from the Jerez region in Spain and varies from dry and crisp Fino to rich and sweet Pedro Ximénez. The ageing process also differs: Port often uses a blend of barrels and bottle ageing, while Sherry employs the Solera system, which blends different vintages over time.