Do you know what makes Sherry wines so unique? Would you like to know the importance of the art of wine while visiting a winery? Sherry wines owe their importance, in addition to their characteristic countryside, to the art of the Sherry cask. Let’s get you to know about this unique handmade tradition.
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What is Sherry cask?
The combination of some wooden casks and a perfect wine-making with Marco de Jerez wines gives rise to the Jerez-style wine cask or “Sherry cask”. Worldwide in demand for its extraordinary qualities for the aging of whiskeys and other beverages. Thousands and thousands of boots are annually manufactured in Jerez and patiently aged by the wineries of the Denomination of Origin.
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What makes Sherry cask so special?
Its cask is absolutely handmade, taking care of the wood with a careful selection. They follow a delicate and elaborate process consisting of six stages. Up to 4 types of barrels can be made depending on their use. In addition to this, the use of American and Spanish oak wood stands out, which enhances the subsequent flavor.
The latter is the wine, which completes the completion of the Sherry cask process. The aging of the wine is a fundamental part, since it is where the sherry wine acquires its characteristics. This is due to the years and years of rest of the drink inside the barrel.
It is precisely the coloring and aromatic substances, arising from the conjunction of oak and sherry wine, that make sherry casks unique. Being the noblest possible container for the subsequent aging of top quality beverages, such as Sherry brandy or Scotch Whiskey.
“Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” is the oldest Denomination of Origin in Spain. Since 2015 recipients have been offered the guarantee of the use in this wine-making activity of authentic wines from vineyards registered in the Denomination. Through the sherry cask brand and the guarantee incorporated into the barrels, it is possible to know all the corresponding data, including the wines used and the duration of the winemaking process.
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Visit to the wineries
The magical process of winemaking takes place in unique buildings: the Marco de Jerez wineries. Frequently called “cathedral wineries” due to their enormous dimensions, their pillars and their raised roofs, they are undoubtedly Jerez’s greatest contribution to the architecture of wine.
Everything is designed to provide an optimal environment for aging wine. The high ceilings allow a large volume of air, which provides great thermal inertia with respect to outside conditions. In addition, the windows located in the upper part of the building allow air circulation, humidity control and oxygen supply.
These wineries are completely unique and mark the meaning and emblem of the Sherry cask. Therefore, a visit to the wineries by the hand of a guide will be your best option to discover this world. In addition, you can make wine tastings or visits to the vineyards to understand how it works.
If you want to know more about the seasoning of this wine and the Sherry cask, don’t hesitate and contact us here or at info@alsherry.com. We will be delighted to arrange a tailored experience for you to enjoy the authentic process of the Sherry wines!