| "If I had a thousand sons, the first human principle I | | | | most days it is possible to see here the stables, a |
| would teach them would be to forswear thin potations | | | | wonderful collection of carriages and training sessions. |
| and dedicate themselves to Sherry" | | | | On Thursdays a fascinating and perfected |
| Shakespeare; Henry V, part II | | | | performance is given of an equestrian ballet. This |
| Jerez de la Frontera (prononced hereth,) is the | | | | fabulous spectacle is set to Spanish music and |
| Andalucian town from which the name Sherry is | | | | performed in 17th. Century costumes. |
| derived. Along with two other nearby towns, El Puerto | | | | Also to be included in your itinerary is a visit to the |
| de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda, it is the | | | | Museo de Relojes.It houses one of Europ's most |
| only place in the world where sherry is produced. | | | | varied and interesting collection of working time pieces, |
| There is not a great deal of difference between the | | | | a total of 300 in all, dating from the 17th. to the 19th. |
| wines of Jerez and those of El Puerto, although the | | | | Centuries. |
| latter town does tend to be particularly noted for its' | | | | There are two events year which make a visit to |
| amontillados and finos. Sanlucar on the other hand | | | | Jerez extra special, the first takes place in May when |
| produces an entirely different wine as all the | | | | the annual Jerez Horse Fair takes place. This |
| manzanilla, with its' distinctive, fresh flavour, is produced | | | | marvellous spectacle is one of Spain's oldest fairs and |
| here. | | | | in the middle ages attracted traders from all over |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | Europe. Traditionally the sale of a horse is confirmed |
| Since 1995 SEO/SEM tools, training, and professional | | | | when the purchaser takes hold of the reins, so be |
| "full service" Search Engine Marketing help at very | | | | careful!! |
| affordable rates. | | | | The second event, Fiestas de Otoño, is, along |
| Built on this bedrock of sherry and brandy production, | | | | with the May Feria de caballo, the biggest celebration |
| Jerez has long been amongst Spain's most | | | | of the year in Jerez. Starting at the end of September, |
| commercially successful towns.The old Anglo-Andaluz | | | | and continuing into October, the Fiestas include the |
| sherry dynasties still wield much social and economic | | | | veneration of the Patroness, the Virgen de la Merced |
| power here. The promotional slogan for the town is | | | | (24th September), and the celebrations of the grape |
| "Jerez-Pura Andalucia" which embodies the idealised | | | | harvest, which includes the Treading of the Grapes |
| images of this region such as rich land barons, grand | | | | and the Blessing of the Must (the first wine of the |
| palaces and large estates, finely bred horses and | | | | year). The day of the Patron San Dionisio, is |
| fighting bulls, lively and passionate flamenco, beautiful | | | | celebrated on the 9th of October and coincides with |
| women and handsome men and of course much | | | | the International Horse Week and the Great Horse |
| flowing wine. | | | | Parade, which sees over a thousand horses parading |
| A visit to Jerez has much to commend it as there is | | | | the main streets of the town. Visitors can also go to |
| much to see and do. First on most people's agenda of | | | | watch the exciting horse races and the Cane and |
| course is a tour of one, or perhaps more, of the | | | | Lance Games. Needless to say that there is the |
| bodegas. Here you can see sherry in production and | | | | singing, dancing, colour and gaiety at the festivals that |
| get to sample it too. I have put a list of some of the | | | | typically characterises AndalucÃa and its people. |
| most important bodegas along with their tour details at | | | | So if you are holidaying in Andalucia then a trip to |
| the bottom of the page. | | | | Jerez will certainly add much to your trip, particularly if |
| Another essential visit is to the Real Escuela Andaluza | | | | you are there in May or Sept./Oct. |
| del Arte Ecuestra, or the school of equestrian art.On | | | | |