Nobody should leave Jerez without going to visit a sherry bodega. Bodegas are not cellars, but huge halls (photo 1) stacked with barrels of wonderfully smelling sherry. Brandy, which originates from the sherry, is also distilled here .

A short introduction to sherry

The climate in this area, the chalky ground and the palomino grape, make it so special. Sherry wine is covered in its maturing age by a layer of yeast named "flor" (photo 2) and thereby preventing oxidation. Then the wine is stored in american oak barrels called ‘Botas’ (photo 3)

1. Fino is a dry sherry, organically matured and is made from palomino grapes. It is matured for a minimum of 4 years.

2. Manzanilla are finos, which are only produced in the cellars at the seaside of Sanlucar de Barrameda. It has a special microclimate condition and the salty tang is perceptible.

3. Amontillado are finos, which are aged longer then normal. The yeast (known as 'velo del flor') dies and some oxidation occurs. This Sherry is sweetened for the British market.

4. Oloroso is at least 7 years old and does not have the "flor", because these are fortified up to 18%.

5. Palos are matured oxidative and combines the characteristics of Amontillado and Oloroso.

VOS is at least 20 years old
VORS is at least 30 years old

Spanish Brandy is distilled from sherry (photo 4)