Guide to Understanding the Treasures of Jerez (Wine, Brandy and Vinegar)

Entering a Jerez wine cellar can be overwhelming. Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso... But the richness of our wineries goes far beyond wine. From the same oak casks come two other world-famous products: Brandy and Sherry Vinegar.

With this comprehensive guide, we'll give you the keys to understanding and enjoying all the liquid treasures of our land. When you're done, you'll be ready to taste Jerez like an expert, right from the comfort of your apartment..

The Secret: The Flower Veil and the Solera System

Two key concepts make our wines unique:

-The "Flor Veil": Imagine a layer of live yeast growing on the surface of the wine inside the cask. This "magic blanket" protects it from oxygen, giving it a fresh, light flavor. This is how Fino and Manzanilla are born.

-Oxidative Aging: Other wines, on the other hand, age in contact with oxygen, which gives them darker colors and more powerful and complex flavors of nuts and wood. This is how Olorosos are born.

-The Solera System: A method of blending wines from different vintages to ensure that the quality and flavor of your glass is always the same year after year.

Types of Sherry Wine: From Driest to Sweetest

Here's your cheat sheet. Order with confidence!

1. Fino 🥂

It's the king of the aperitif. A pale, completely dry, and light white wine with almond aromas. It should always be served very cold.

-Perfect pairing: Iberian ham, seafood, olives, fried fish.

2. Manzanilla

It's a Fino wine, but it's aged exclusively in the wineries of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The proximity to the sea gives it a characteristic salty note that makes it unique.

3. Amontillado 🥃

It's a wine with a double life. It begins its aging process as a Fino, under a veil of flor, but then loses that protection and ages with oxygen. The result is a darker (amber-colored) wine, complex and with hazelnut aromas.

-Perfect pairing: Game meats, powerful stews such as oxtail.

5. Palo Cortado 

The great mystery of Jerez. A wine that starts out as a Fino but, for almost magical reasons, develops Oloroso characteristics. It's complex, elegant, and very special. Order it to feel like a true connoisseur.

6. Sweet Wines (Cream y Pedro Ximénez) 🍮 

-Cream: Made by blending a dry wine (usually Oloroso) with a sweet wine. It's sweet and perfect for dessert or as an aperitif with ice and a slice of orange.

-Pedro Ximénez (PX): It's dessert in a glass. A very sweet and dense wine made with raisins. It tastes of figs, raisins, and coffee. Serve it neat or over vanilla ice cream.

Beyond Wine: The Winery's Other Treasures

The magic of Jerez oak casks doesn't end with the wine. Two other exceptional products are born from them.

Brandy de Jerez: Spirit and Solera Brandy

Not everything is wine in Jerez. Our city is also the birthplace of one of the world's finest brandies. It is made by distilling wine and aged for years in the same casks that once held our sherries, also following the traditional Criaderas and Solera System. This aging in "wine-filled" oak gives it a unique complexity and smoothness. Depending on its aging, you will find:

-Solera: The youngest and freshest.

-Solera Reserva: With medium aging.

-Solera Gran Reserva: The oldest, most complex, and highest quality. It's the perfect drink for a quiet after-dinner conversation, neat or on the rocks..

Sherry Vinegar: An Exceptional Dressing 🥗

It's the secret touch of great chefs. Sherry Vinegar was the first wine vinegar in Spain to be awarded the Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.). It's made from the Sherry wines themselves and slowly aged in oak casks, giving it an elegant acidity and an incredibly complex aroma. There are different types, from the youngest to the Gran Reserva. A few drops can transform a salad, gazpacho, or stew. Don't hesitate to take a bottle home; it's the best gastronomic souvenir from Jerez..

Now you have the map to explore the liquid treasure of Jerez. Don't be afraid to ask the tabanero and, above all, let your tastes guide you. Each wine tells a different story of our land..

Book your apartment with us and experience a complete immersion in the wine culture of Jerez.