A Mecca for Wine Travelers – From Moorish Legacy to Wine Myth
From the 8th to the 15th century, the Moors ruled over this region, leaving a rich cultural and architectural legacy that still defines Andalusia today. Landmarks such as the Alcázar Palace in Seville, the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba, and the majestic Alhambra in Granada remain as vivid witnesses of their era. Even the name Sherry echoes the past: derived from Sherish, the Moorish name for what is now known as Jerez de la Frontera, its roots reach back to Phoenician cera and Latin ceret.
A Paradise for Wine Lovers
It’s not only cultural travelers who come to southern Spain to admire the region’s architecture and history. Increasingly, this sun-drenched land draws in wine lovers and culinary adventurers. What they find is more than just wine – it’s a full-sensory experience: the salty sea breeze, the warmth of the sun, the rhythm of flamenco, and the incredible variety of wines ranging from bone-dry Fino and aged Manzanilla Pasada to lusciously sweet Moscatel de Pasas.
At the heart of it all lies the Route Marco de Jerez – the wine route that weaves through the soul of Andalusia. It is more than a trail; it’s a celebration of wine, history, and hospitality. Here, tradition and innovation, elegance and intensity, beauty and authenticity go hand in hand.
César Saldaña, president of the Asociación de la Ruta del Vino y del Brandy de Jerez, sums it up beautifully:
“The Route Marco de Jerez offers not only the extraordinary quality of our wines and the beauty of our wineries, but also a wide range of gastronomic, cultural, and festive attractions. This allows us to guarantee visitors a unique and deeply diverse experience. That we remain the most visited wine region in Spain speaks for itself.“
Indeed, this wine and brandy route is among the most beloved in all of Spain. In 2018, it topped the Iberian wine tourism rankings. And the numbers speak volumes: in the following year, nearly 600,000 people explored this enchanting corner of southern Spain – over 10,000 more than in the previous year.
Bodegas: Where Wine, Art, and Time Collide
The region’s bodegas – the wineries – are among its most treasured jewels. Some are grand, cathedral-like structures with towering ceilings and sun-dappled arches. Others are nestled in historic town centers, drawing inspiration from Moorish design. But all of them share a purpose: to craft authentic Sherry wines in a tradition that spans centuries.
Inside these bodegas, the past is never far away. Wines and brandies are still made according to traditional methods passed down through generations. A key element is the Solera aging system, unique to this region, in which younger wines are continuously blended with older ones. This dynamic process allows for deep complexity and long maturation, with some wines aging for 20 to 30 years in shadowy cellars known as sacristías – sacred spaces of wine.
D.O. Jerez – A Region with Ancient Roots
The origins of winegrowing in Jerez go back to 1100 BC, when the Phoenicians first settled in the area. Even under Moorish rule, when alcohol was forbidden, winemaking continued in some form. After the Christian reconquest in 1264 by Alfonso X, wine production was revived and even royal vineyards were established.
By the 12th century, wines from Jerez were already being enjoyed and traded in England, France, and Flanders. In 1483, the city council issued a groundbreaking set of wine regulations – covering everything from harvest timing and barrel types to aging systems and trade practices.
In 1933, Spain passed its first national wine law, officially recognizing the Denominación de Origen (D.O.) Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. Just two years later, local winemakers established Spain’s first regulatory council to protect and govern the region’s wine heritage. The current legal framework was approved in 1977 and further strengthened in the 1980s and in 2003.
Today, the protected designations of origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” and “Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda” cover a defined triangle in the northeast of the Cádiz province. Only wines aged and bottled in the municipalities of Jerez, Sanlúcar, and El Puerto de Santa María may bear these names.
Coming Up Next
How is Sherry made? What makes the Solera system so unique? And how does the aging process shape the character of each style? Discover all this and more in Part 2 of the trilogy:
• “Caramba, Caracho, Sherry, Olé!”
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Photo Credit: © Adobe Stock/jimenezar
