the spanish aquisition

Sherry Wines

Sherry is an Anglicisation of Jerez, the central town in the south-west corner of Spain. In it's time it has been invaded by Ottomans, Romans, Huns and the Moors. While these left some splendid architectural traces and pretty ceramic tile work, 400 years or British merchant dominance has celebrated, entrenched and refined the production of the diverse group of lightly fortified wines which today we call "sherry".

Sherries come in sweet and dry, rich and elegant styles. They're made from both brown and predominantly white grapes. But what they all share is an extended period of barrel maturation (4 years minimum for decent wines) in a solera system, and fortification with three or more degrees of clean, neutral alcohol.