| "If I had a thousand sons, the first human | | | | school of equestrian art.On most days it is |
| principle I would teach them would be to | | | | possible to see here the stables, a |
| forswear thin potations and dedicate | | | | wonderful collection of carriages and |
| themselves to Sherry" | | | | training sessions. On Thursdays a |
| | | | fascinating and perfected performance is |
| Shakespeare; Henry V, part II | | | | given of an equestrian ballet. This fabulous |
| | | | spectacle is set to Spanish music and |
| Jerez de la Frontera (prononced hereth,) is | | | | performed in 17th. Century costumes. |
| the Andalucian town from which the name | | | | |
| Sherry is derived. Along with two other | | | | Also to be included in your itinerary is a |
| nearby towns, El Puerto de Santa Maria and | | | | visit to the Museo de Relojes.It houses one |
| Sanlucar de Barrameda, it is the only place | | | | of Europ's most varied and interesting |
| in the world where sherry is produced. | | | | collection of working time pieces, a total |
| There is not a great deal of difference | | | | of 300 in all, dating from the 17th. to the |
| between the wines of Jerez and those of El | | | | 19th. Centuries. |
| Puerto, although the latter town does tend to | | | | |
| be particularly noted for its' amontillados | | | | There are two events year which make a visit |
| and finos. Sanlucar on the other hand | | | | to Jerez extra special, the first takes |
| produces an entirely different wine as all | | | | place in May when the annual Jerez Horse |
| the manzanilla, with its' distinctive, fresh | | | | Fair takes place. This marvellous spectacle |
| flavour, is produced here. | | | | is one of Spain's oldest fairs and in the |
| | | | middle ages attracted traders from all over |
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| Marketing help at very affordable rates. | | | | The second event, Fiestas de Otoño, is, |
| | | | along with the May Feria de caballo, the |
| Built on this bedrock of sherry and brandy | | | | biggest celebration of the year in Jerez. |
| production, Jerez has long been amongst | | | | Starting at the end of September, and |
| Spain's most commercially successful | | | | continuing into October, the Fiestas |
| towns.The old Anglo-Andaluz sherry dynasties | | | | include the veneration of the Patroness, the |
| still wield much social and economic power | | | | Virgen de la Merced (24th September), and |
| here. The promotional slogan for the town is | | | | the celebrations of the grape harvest, |
| "Jerez-Pura Andalucia" which embodies the | | | | which includes the Treading of the Grapes and |
| idealised images of this region such as rich | | | | the Blessing of the Must (the first wine of |
| land barons, grand palaces and large | | | | the year). The day of the Patron San |
| estates, finely bred horses and fighting | | | | Dionisio, is celebrated on the 9th of October |
| bulls, lively and passionate flamenco, | | | | and coincides with the International Horse |
| beautiful women and handsome men and of | | | | Week and the Great Horse Parade, which sees |
| course much flowing wine. | | | | over a thousand horses parading the main |
| | | | streets of the town. Visitors can also go |
| A visit to Jerez has much to commend it as | | | | to watch the exciting horse races and the |
| there is much to see and do. First on most | | | | Cane and Lance Games. Needless to say that |
| people's agenda of course is a tour of one, | | | | there is the singing, dancing, colour and |
| or perhaps more, of the bodegas. Here you | | | | gaiety at the festivals that typically |
| can see sherry in production and get to | | | | characterises AndalucÃa and its people. |
| sample it too. I have put a list of some of | | | | |
| the most important bodegas along with their | | | | So if you are holidaying in Andalucia then a |
| tour details at the bottom of the page. | | | | trip to Jerez will certainly add much to |
| | | | your trip, particularly if you are there in |
| Another essential visit is to the Real | | | | May or Sept./Oct. |
| Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra, or the | | | | |