Wines From Andalusia - The Land of the flamenco and toreros

After having to recently hear about the mother-in-law’s trip to Andalucia in Southern Spain, and how wonderful the wines are. Although when asked,she wasn’t sure which wines she liked, just that they were “sweet like sherry!” Despite the fact, I tried to explain to her that there are different types, before she went. Having failed miserably, I thought it might be a good idea to try to utilize this knowledge I acquired from a previous holiday there, elsewhere.

Wines from Andalusia are produced in four areas. Sherry is grown in the area of Jerez de la Frontera and its surroundings in the province of Cadiz. Sweet desert wines are grown in both the provinces of Malaga & Montilla Moriles. Additionally, some vineries in the province of Malaga are now producing table reds. In Montilla Moriles there is a wide variety of wine producers, producing both sweet desert, and fortified wines. Condado de Huelva is the fourth area in Andalusia that produces wines; here a number of dry and sweet white wines are produced.

Types of Sherry

There are three types of sherry; Dry Sherries, Natural Sherries (as known as Sweet Sherries), and Blended Sherries.

Dry Sherries – are dry because the musts/ grape used during fermentation are fully fermented. Listed below are the different types of Dry Sherry:

· Fino – This is a clear, white Sherry, which is dry, light, and fragrant. Flor is the yeast used during the fermentation/ aging process. It typically has an alcohol content of between 15-18%.

· Oloroso - Its color can vary, it is fragrant, with an alcohol content of around 17-22%.

· Amontillado - is an amber colored, light smooth sherry, with a distinct hazelnut bouquet. Its typical alcohol content can vary from between 16% to 22%.

· Raya – is similar Oloroso, but cruder, with less fragrance and similar alcohol content.

· Palo Cortado – Like Amontillado this also has a distinct hazelnut flavour, but has a deeper colour similar to that of a mahogany Olorosso, with similar alcohol content (17-22%).

Two good examples of a dry sherry, which coincidentally, both happen to be Finos are Tio Pepe Palomino Fino, Pedro Domecq La Ina. These can be found in most wine specialists, and some supermarkets.

Tio Pepe Palomino and Fino Pedro Domecq La Ina