Jerez - Sherry

Jerez and Sherry are two sides of the same coin!

• Jerez is a city in Andalusia, Spain, with a rich history of winemaking dating back centuries. It's the heart of the production region for a specific type of fortified wine called Sherry.
  
  

• Sherry is the fortified wine itself, produced from white grapes grown primarily around Jerez and neighboring towns in southwestern Spain. This region benefits from a unique climate with hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. The distinctive aging process, involving fortification with neutral grape spirits and a partial flor veil (a layer of yeast), gives Sherry its characteristic flavors and styles.
  
  

Here's a deeper dive into Sherry:

Types of Sherry:

Sherry comes in a wide range, from dry to sweet, offering something for every palate. Here are the main categories:

• Finos and Manzanillas: These are the driest and palest Sherries, aged under a layer of flor yeast, resulting in a fresh, nutty, and slightly saline character. Manzanillas come from a specific zone within the Jerez region and tend to be even lighter and more delicate than Finos.
  
  

• Olorosos: These Sherries are aged oxidatively without flor, resulting in a darker color, richer body, and nutty, toffee, and dried fruit flavors.
  
  

• Amontillados: Amontillados undergo a partial flor aging followed by oxidative aging, creating a range of styles from dry and nutty to slightly richer and more complex.
  
  

• Cream Sherries: These are sweet Sherries made by blending wines with concentrated grape must or Pedro Ximénez, a very sweet wine made from dried grapes. Cream Sherries range from pale to dark and offer flavors of caramel, honey, and dried fruits.
  
  

• Pedro Ximénez (PX): Made from sun-dried grapes, PX Sherries are intensely sweet and syrupy, with concentrated flavors of raisins, figs, dates, and caramel.
  
  

Exploring Jerez and Sherry:

If you're interested in learning more about Sherry, a trip to Jerez is a must. Here are some ideas:

• Visit a bodega (winery): Many bodegas offer tours and tastings, allowing you to witness the traditional Sherry production process and sample a variety of styles.

• Explore the Sherry bodegas district: Immerse yourself in the history and ambiance of Jerez by wandering through the maze-like streets of the bodega district, lined with historic wineries.

• Enjoy tapas with Sherry: Jerez boasts a vibrant tapas scene. Pair your small plates with different Sherry styles to discover how they complement the flavors of the food.

From its rich history and diverse styles to its unique production methods, Jerez and Sherry offer a captivating journey into the world of fortified wines.