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Sherry

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 in search of liqueur wines to take back 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. Traditional fortification, with the addition of aquavit, raised the alcohol content and made them more stable and robust. Thanks to these characteristics, Sherry spread rapidly throughout Europe, becoming one of the most popular wines.

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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 in search of liqueur wines to take back 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. Traditional fortification, with the addition of aquavit, raised the alcohol content and made them more stable and robust. Thanks to these characteristics, Sherry spread rapidly throughout Europe, becoming one of the most popular wines.

Andalusia, the Soil and Climate for Great Wines

The history of wine in this region of southern Spain has ancient origins. The wine-growing culture was most 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 the fact that Sherry was 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 very hot and dry, although it is softened by the Atlantic Ocean, breezes from the Mediterranean Sea and the Guadalquivir River, which flows into Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Summers are characterised 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. The chalk present in the depths of the soil, thanks to its porous nature, 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, which are mainly found in the area north of Jerez de la Frontera and 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 north-eastern part of the region are the arenas, which are soils rich in sand and produce wines of great finesse. Lastly, the least valuable soils are the barros, composed mainly of clays and a small amount of chalk, which produces 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.


Production and Ageing with the Solera Method

The first phase of production consists of a classic vinification of the grapes in white to obtain dry wines. 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 special 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 the formation of flor and the wines mature in an oxidative style. All Jerez wines are aged using the Solera Method, which is 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. In the barrels resting on the floor, the older wines are stored while the younger ones are stored on top. For bottling, the wine is drawn from the lowest barrel, which is then filled with wine from the one above, and so on.


Sherry, a Fascinating and Complex World

The term 'sherry wine' is very broad. It includes a complex range of very different wines. Their common feature is that they are fortified, with a percentage of spirit added.

Fino is the dry wine that matures protected by flor, a veil of yeast that allows a slight oxidation. It is delicate, subtle and very elegant, with an alcohol content of 15% vol.

Manzanilla is a particular version of Fino that matures near the sea in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The ocean air gives the wine fascinating iodine and savoury features.

Amontillado is a Fino that is matured in barrels in an oxidative style, so as to develop more evolved and complex aromas.

Palo Cortado is a type that falls between Fino and Oloroso, with the finesse of the former and the complexity of the latter.

Oloroso is fortified up to 18% vol. and is aged in an oxidative style, so that it can develop complex notes of dried fruit and toasted aromas. It can be dry, semi-sweet or sweet.

Pedro Ximénez is made from the dried grapes of the variety of the same name. It is a fortified passito wine with a persuasive and very complex character.

Cream is an Oloroso with a high percentage of Pedro Ximenez added, making it dense and sweet.

In addition to liqueur wines, Jerez is also famous for fine distillates, known as Spanish Brandy, which are produced by distilling the region's white wines. While Jerez wines used to be hard to find, today you can buy excellent sherries online.

Buy the best Sherries and Spanish Distillates online on Callmewine at the best prices. Discover the prestigious Andalusian fortified wines, which are famous worldwide for their elegance and aromatic richness. They are unique and inimitable wines that perfectly express an ancient tradition.