"Jerez de la Frontera" wine of the year 1775

"Sherry is useful. He will disperse the stupidity, gloominess and rudeness that have accumulated in the brain, and the thought will inspire ... ". So said about him Shakespeare.

The sun in a glass

An interesting phrase is familiar to everyone. Someone will call an exhibition, a book or a picture, and for the article the phrase became a description of the pride of the Spanish people of the wine "Jerez de la Frontera" of the harvest of 1775.

What is hidden in a sparkling glass? Inviting aroma of the flesh of the grapes, a favorable climate, where vines, sunrays or centuries-old history grew?

Probably, someone will drink it in the name or for achievement of the put purpose, and to someone the drink will help to shed tears of grief and grief. And yet, the use of sparkling wine - drunkenness or culture?

Since people have known the true taste of a grape drink, disputes and discussions are under way. Some consider love of sin as sin, others as the delight of life. But it is unlikely that people will find the answer to this question, because each of us interprets life in his own way ...

A city saturated with wine

"Jerez de la Frontera" - wine, born in the same city in the hills of Andalusia. The original is produced only in Spain, and since 1996 no other wine drink has the right to wear the proud name of sherry.

The Phoenicians, who lived before Christ, cut down the forests that are on the territory of Andalusia. To prevent the transformation of land into a desert, they planted them with olives and vineyards. Soon the beneficial effect of climate and soil on plants turned the sale of wine and oil into a profitable business for the people.

After the conquest of this territory by the Arabs, the vineyards wanted to be exterminated, since drinking of alcoholic beverages was forbidden by the Koran. But the villagers persuaded the invaders to leave the plants, explaining that otherwise the raisins will disappear, which helps to restore the strength of the soldiers after the battles.

Christians who liberated lands from the Arabs considered wine to be the best remedy for diseases, and a glass of sparkling drink drunk before the battle, in their opinion, gave courage to the defenders and their horses.

Since 1264 only monasteries were engaged in the production of wine products. After the discovery of America, opportunities and demand increased.

Already in the 15th century, "Jerez de la Frontera" was imported to England, but because of the difficult pronunciation, the inhabitants of the country called it "sherry".

Many people know that most of the technology of wine production has appeared in France. "Jerez de la Frontera" - wine, which is an exception, as the methods of its manufacture were developed in Spain.

Today, wine cellars are not only a place where a sparkling drink is stored. Occupying a significant area of the city, they turned into attractions, which are the first to meet the guests of the city of Jerez de la Frontera.

Photo of the most expensive and famous sherry

According to official data, the Crimean Massandra has 5 such bottles in its collection. 11 years ago at Sotheby's auction one sold for $ 50,000. And in September this year the management planned to help out for a bottle of 1 million euros.

No sparkling drink attracted so much attention as a bottle of the collection wine "Jerez de la Frontera" in 1775.

The king is among his

A fan or connoisseur of fine spirits knows that sherry is a fortified wine. It is distinguished by its bright taste and strong healing properties, due to which it was called "the king of aperitifs". But you can not consider sherry as a weak drink, which can only whet your appetite.

To improve the digestive tract and sweet desserts are suitable. But the true gourmet knows that with its versatility the drink can easily replace table wine. It is ideal for any dish, be it a leg, lamb or seafood. For example, an experienced cook knows how difficult it is to pick the right wine for smoked fish or some kinds of seafood. But this problem does not apply to sherry. Its aroma will not be able to kill even a strong smell of fish oil.

The taste of this sherry is peculiar and can become an ideal ally for cigar smoke. It can be served even with coffee. In addition, a bottle of wine "Jerez de la Frontera" (Spain) not only accompanies the serving of dishes, but also can participate in their creation. This wine is used in the preparation of sauces and culinary additives. And according to restaurant critics, the dishes cooked on its basis, to taste, there are no equal.

Geography of sherry

For several centuries, the Spanish land kept secret the recipe for the production of Jerez de la Frontera wine. The development of the release process by other states and continents began in the 20th century.

Similar to sherry wine drinks are produced in Bulgaria, the United States, France, England, Switzerland and Russia.

The first use of Spanish yeast for the preparation of a sparkling drink such as "Jerez de la Frontera" in Russia occurred in 1910. By 1948, the samples prepared according to this recipe had already been produced in Turkmenistan, Dagestan, Moldavia, the Crimea and Krasnodar.

Few people know that the only brand that produces wine, close in quality and taste to "Jerez de la Frontera" - "Massandra". It meets the production standards of the original beverage. It, just like in Spain, is made on the basis of filmy yeast. And in France it is called straw, or Andalusian, wine.

Popular Spanish sherry

"Fino" translates as "thin" or "perfect." Of all species it is the driest, has a pale yellow color and contains between 15.5 and 17% alcohol. The bitter taste makes it look like an almond. The aging period of Fino is 3-5 years.

In the area of Sanlucar de Barrameda, the wine "Manzanilla", part of the sherry group "Fino", is made. Thanks to the humid climate in which vines grow, the drink turns out to be softer and fragrant. The mature drinks "Manzanilla Pasada" for the fortress can reach and 20%.

"Oloroso" ("fragrant") is another type of sherry. While the strength of the wine does not reach 18%, it is aged under the film. After that, the life of the yeast ends, and the drink begins the aging process in the barrels, while having contact with the air. Because of the oxidation, the wine turns dark amber, and to taste it is like a combination of walnut and sweet caramel. In "Oloroso" glycine is formed and it is slightly oily in consistency. The strength of wine reaches 18-20%. The group of wines of this variety of sherry includes "Palo Cortado" and "Raya Oloroso". The first drink is a dark shade with a more delicate and pleasant taste, the second has a slightly intense color, and its minimum strength is 18%.

All the best qualities of the two previous species absorbed the sherry "Amontillado". The process of maturation lasts about 5 years exclusively under the mold. Then, to destroy the fluorine in it, add alcohol and insist for 6 to 7 years. "Amontillado" has an amber color, the alcohol content in it is 24%, and the taste resembles a hazelnut.

The latest variety of sherry is highly appreciated by gourmets and tasters, as it is not always possible to get the desired taste.

Popular brands

One of the largest producers of Manzanilla wine is Antonio Barbadillo. Annually, the company produces more than 50 brands of Manzanilla.

The best to taste of "Amontillado" is sold by the firm "Duff Gordon".

The first place in sales and annual volume of wine production is occupied by Gonzalez Byass. It was formed in 1783, but the production of sherry began in 1835.

Today, the company owns 2,000 hectares of vineyards, thanks to which a wide range of wines is produced every year. It produces a popular and sold in the world "Fino", which has an elegant flavor - "Tio Pepe."

Healing properties and reviews

"The drink of the sun" is produced all over the world, but only Spain will give you a real taste of white fortified wine "Jerez de la Frontera". Reviews about it only confirm the fact that it is tasty and useful not only for digestion. Every day, drinking one glass of "real" sparkling, you protect your body from coronary artery disease. Also, sherry flushes harmful cholesterol from the body.

By and large, the debate about who owns the real "Jerez de la Frontera" should be decided by the Spaniards themselves. And we should remember that despite its excellent taste and pleasant exquisite aroma, sherry is an alcoholic drink and it is not worth using.