Tommmo

We will be arriving in a few days direct from Brisbane and wondered if someone could give us a few tips on a good , preferably free way to taste some of the famous sherry? We'll be pretty jet lagged but hope to get straight out to see the sights around Jerez....

Robert2016

"free", not hardly. There are several tasting houses in Jerez including Sandeman, Bodegas Tradicion, González Byass and one of our favorites, Rey Fernando de Castilla, but you will have to pay to taste.

www.sandeman.com/visit-us/jerez/sherry-bodegas
www.bodegastradicion.es
www.bodegastiopepe.com
http://fernandodecastilla.es

http://blog.fuertehoteles.com/en/top...ies-of-sherry/

Tommmo

Mmmm...pity

Tommmo

So it's looking like a typical visit might include a tour, tasting , a meal and even a horse show. What do you pay for this and is there a tour particularly recommended ?

Robert2016

You can check the schedule for the Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, the horse show (www.realescuela.org), to see if anything's happending when you're planning on being there.

Tommmo

Yes that's a possibility for us - thank you. When they say "horse show" as part of the wine tasting visits at Bodegas, what does that involve?

PalenQ

When I went to the horse school practice sessions the behemoth Andalusian horses were going thru practice for formal shows which they also have:

Really enjoyed it - it and sherry tours are about it for Jerez - otherwise an unremarkable town IMO.

Went on my own - took train from Seville, not far away.

HappyTrvlr

The tour and tadtings at historic Tio Pepe are so well done and include generous appstizers as well.

Robert2016

Jerez now has some very decent tapas/small plates grastrobars and restaurants, and is very lively during Semana Santa and the annual Flamenco Festival - XXII
FESTIVAL DE JEREZ 23 de febrero al 10 de marzo de 2018

http://www.jerez.es/fileadmin/Docume...ursos_2018.pdf
www.facebook.com/FestivalDeJerez/

Tommmo

Thinking Jerez will be a good base for the surrounding region for a few days. We will see Cadiz then rent a car to travel onward for 3 weeks...

PalenQ

I'd base in nearby Cadiz (short train or bus ride away) IME and IMO a much much nicer city and on the sea - Jerez is not - I did sherry tour and practice sessions of horsing around in a day trip from Seville - but it was a while ago and maybe Jerez is more inviting now.

Macross

We are basing in Rota and then day tripping. I have never been a huge Sherry fan but will give it a go. Thank you for the links Robert.

Tommmo

Thinking Jerez will be a good base for the surrounding region for a few days. We will see Cadiz then rent a car to travel onward for 3 weeks...

Tommmo

Yes Jerez does have divided opinions (Rick Steves positively disliked it, others seem to love it) but we'll certainly see the best of Cadiz from there. The ferry from Puerta de Santamaria to Cadiz sounds interesting..... We need to rest up from the eternal flight from Australia and have found a nice apartment in Jerez...some sherry, horses and flamenco should be interesting diversions while we plan an interesting driving route to Cordoba....

Robert2016

It would seem that 'little' Ricky hasn't been to Jerez in a few years, so I would have a difficult time with his opinion.

crellston

We were living in a small town in Andalusia for a few months earlier this year and took a weekend trip out to Jeréz and Cadiz, primarily to taste some sherry. We stayed in Jerez and drove to Cadiz for the day.

Cadiz was the more picturesque of the two cities, but jerez has a lot going for it too.
We hit Cadiz at the same time as very large cruise ship which ruined the ambience somewhat. On balance, we were glad we did it that way around.


Some great tapas bars in Jerez and some decent restaurants. We also stumbled across a great, but very small flamenco bar in one of the streets close to the centre. Well worth seeking out. I can see if my wife has the details if you are interested.

We took the Gonzalez Byass / Tio Pepe sherry tour around €20 I think and it was very good.

Tommmo

Yes please check on that flamenco bar location . We are enthusiasts..

crellston

Apparently it was Tabasco El Pasaje @ Calle Santa Maria 8, not far from the main square. We passed by at lunchtime, had a chat and a beer with the owner and he reserved a couple of stools for us that evening. A great night with the locals!

Tommmo

Cool...thank you.