Archive for the ‘Festival’ Category
It was the Phoenicians who introduced Sherry to the Iberian Peninsula, and the Romans were only too happy to carry on the tradition. Even the Moors, who generally abstained from alcohol, used it for medicinal purposes, but when Francis 
Drake attacked Cadiz in 1587 and returned to England with 3000 barrels, the tipple became an instant favourite with Queen Elizabeth 1 and the English Court, beginning a British love affair with the drink.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the demand for Sherry grew, and many British entrepreneurs based their businesses in the area around Jerez in Andalucia, creating such brands as Garvey and Gordon. In fact the name ‘Sherry’ comes from the English mispronunciation of the word ‘Jerez’; the Northern Europeans finding it difficult to get to grips with the guttural ‘j’ of the Spanish language. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Brandy, Cream, El puerto, Festival, Fino, Grapes, Jerez, Manzanilla, Oloroso, Palomino, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Sherry, Spain, Vineyards | 
Tags: Add new tag, Brandy, history of sherry, palomino grapes, Phoenicians, Romans, Sandeman, Sherry, sherry vines
