| Located inland, 20 km from Sanlúcar, Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production. The word Jerez is derived from Arabic and has now become synonymous with the English word ‘sherry’. The city is equally famous for its fine horses as well as Flamenco music and dance.
The town dates back to Moorish times and possesses a charming old town, casco antiguo, with beautiful palm lined squares. The 11th century Moorish fortress, or Alcazaba, has been partially restored. Of special interest is its church, originally built by the Arabs as a mosque. The Sacristy of the Cathedral del Salvador is home to a lovely painting by Zurbarán, The Sleeping Girl. Today the city of Jerez has a remarkably aristocratic air with wide streets, squares and magnificent rows of jacaranda trees during spring.
The sherry production houses are located, surprisingly, in the centre of the town of Jerez and are generally associated with an element of snobbery and aristocratic pride even to this day. Visitors take guided tours of the many Jerez bodegas, such as Gonzalez Byass, Pedro Domecq and Sandeman. British winemakers have been active here for centuries, which is why many of the names have an Anglo-Saxon ring to them. Tours of the cellars take place on week days, followed by sampling of the various types of wine produced. |
