Sherry Casks: its role in the ageing of Brandy de Jerez

December, 2021

The ageing process of brandy de Jerez in Sherry Casks, casks that have previously contained sherry wines, is one of the characteristics that makes it unique and different from the rest, but why is it so special? Find out in this article how brandy is aged in Sherry Casks and which are the benefits they provide to the liquid.

How is the brandy ageing process in Sherry Casks?

The Criaderas and Solera system is a process that has been characteristic of the Marco de Jerez winemaking tradition since the 18th century, which distinguishes brandies and sherries from the rest of the world. This ageing system is a typical local system and involves a dynamic process, in which the brandy goes through different rows of casks with different ageing periods. The highest rows of Sherry Casks are called Criaderas and contain the youngest liquid, while the row at the floor level is called Solera. The brandy moves through the different rows in a "saca y rocío" process, in which part of the liquid is removed and put into the row immediately below. In this way, the distillate is homogenised and acquires much more complex nuances. Once the brandy reaches the Solera, after the last saca, the bottling process takes place.

How do sherry wines affect brandy ageing?

As we have mentioned in previous posts, Brandy de Jerez is only produced and aged in the Marco de Jerez region (municipalities of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Sta. María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda), and its characteristics make it unique among other types of brandies and distillates. Brandy de Jerez stands out for its unique ageing system in Sherry Casks, the famous unique casks. These casks have contained sherry wines of the highest quality (Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez) before being used for ageing other liquids, giving the best nuances to the wood and modifying their organoleptic characteristics. In this way, the casks transmit different nuances to the brandy depending on the wine that has been in the cask. For example, Sherry Casks with Fino will produce lighter brandies than those which have contained Amontillado or Oloroso. Likewise, brandies aged in casks that have contained Pedro Ximénez will be more intense and darker. As a result, the final brandy will acquire different characteristics in terms of colour, aroma and flavour from the wines that the casks have contained.

What do Sherry Casks provide to brandy?

Sherry Casks are one of the cornerstones for the quality and ageing of brandy de Jerez. As we have mentioned, the casks have contained the best sherry wines, acquiring their best nuances thanks to their porosity, and transmitting them to the brandy during its ageing. The result will be a liquid with unique organoleptic characteristics.

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All this gives our casks the status of a jewel desired by other distillates, such as the best Single Malt Whiskies in the world, which have incorporated them into their processes to make the results even better. However, what makes our Sherry Casks unique is that apart from being part of the oldest and largest collection of the Marco de Jerez, they contain liquids such as Fundador Supremo, three Prestige expressions that have won important international awards, Fundador Triple Madera or Fundador Sherry Cask Solera, the last commitment of Fundador to the category, resulting in the Sherry Cask Collection. As you can see, the ageing process of brandy de Jerez is more complex and special than it seems. Dive into the brandy and Sherry Casks world and take a look at our blog to find out more and keep updated with the latest news.

Sources used and linked to in this article Denominación de Origen Brandy de Jerez. The production process. Available at: http://www.brandydejerez.es/en/our-philosophy/production-process. Access on 16 December of 2021. Denominación de Origen Vinos de Jerez. La Ageing. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/sherry-wine/production/ageing. Access on 16 December of 2021. Denominación de Origen Vinos de Jerez. El envinado. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/es/sherry-cask/el-envinado. Access on 16 December of 2021.

Jerez, home of the best Sherry Casks

December, 2021

Jerez de la Frontera, located in Cadiz (Spain), is known for being the birthplace of Brandy de Jerez and for its dynamic ageing system in Sherry Casks. Find out in this article what makes this region and its Sherry Casks so special.

Why the best Sherry Casks are located in Jerez?

The Marco de Jerez (the area between the municipalities of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez de la Frontera and El Puerto de Santa María) is located in the northwest of Cadiz, the southernmost province of the Iberian Peninsula. This is a privileged region, surrounded by the rivers Guadalquivir and Guadalete. This area is known for the elaboration of the famous Sherry wines, a key business in the history of the municipalities that are part of the Marco and of the cultural identity of the area. Its weather, characterised by the presence of east and west winds, more than 300 days of sunshine per year, temperatures between 4º and 40º and high annual pluviosity (up to 600L/m2 per year), make it a unique location. In addition, these climatic conditions, together with its particular albariza soil, make this region an ideal place for the grape growth and the subsequent production of high quality Sherry wines: Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. For hundreds of years, these wines have been aged in Sherry Casks, justifying the need for such extensive collections in this region, which are necessary for the proper development of the industry. They are also used to age the best distillates of the area, such as the well-known brandy de Jerez, giving these products unique nuances due to their quality. In this way, Jerez is where " the magic" happens, becoming the heart of the whole process and making it impossible to understand the brandy' s world without it.

What factors affect the quality of a Sherry Cask?

Sherry Casks are an essential part of any distillate production process. As we explained in our previous post, Sherry Casks are American oak casks with a large capacity, great porosity and a transfer of nuances. Thus, having contained in their interior the highest quality, very old sherry wines and, subsequently, ageing our brandies, they give them special qualities. The result is unique products: Fundador Supremo, Fundador Triple Madera and Fundador Sherry Cask Solera, which are part of the Sherry Casks collection, emphasising the essential element in their elaboration process. Other distillates, such as the world's finest Single Malt Whiskies, have also recognised the qualities of Sherry Casks, incorporating them into their ageing processes, demonstrating what a precious jewel they are. All these conditions endorse us and allow these unique butts to be certified by the Consejo Regulador de Denominación de Origen Jerez, giving an excellent ageing to the brandy and being a crucial factor in its quality.

Our locally produced and handcrafted Sherry Casks

Our Sherry Casks, in addition to being in the oldest bodega in the Marco de Jerez, Bodegas Fundador, are part of the largest collection of casks in the region. The art of cooperage - cask making - is a traditional art that still persists and has been part of the history, culture and tradition of the Marco de Jerez for centuries, but why are sherry casks so highly prized worldwide? The production of sherry casks is a centuries-old art. Their elaboration requires a highly developed technique and a great precision, which is why it is a profession that is learnt and passed on from generation to generation. In addition to their traditional and handcrafted production, as mentioned above, what makes our casks special is that they have previously contained high quality sherry wine, giving the Brandy they age an incomparable flavour, colour and aroma.

If you want to know more about these very special sherry casks, read our article about Sherry Casks, what are they and their benefits.

Sources used and linked to in this article: Sherry Wine. The Sherry Wine Region. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/sherry-region/sherry-wine-region. Accessed 11 November. Sherry Wine. The Consejo Regulador. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/sherry-region/consejo-regulador. Accessed 11 November. Sherry Wine. The history of Sherry Casks. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/sherry-cask/the-history-of-sherry-casks. Accessed 11 November. Sherry Wine. The cooperage. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/sherry-cask/sherrycask-the-cooperage . Accessed 22 November.

Fundador Supremo at Gastronomika 2021: Spain and France united thanks to brandy de Jerez

November, 2021

Fundador conquers the world's most demanding palates thanks to its participation in San Sebastian Gastronomika. This 23rd edition, with its focus on French cuisine and culture, has been the boost that brandy de Jerez needed to consolidate its position as an essential part of haute cuisine. Fundador has reaffirmed its leadership in the Olympus of haute cuisine and the finest liquids.

Romain Fornell, one of the leading representatives of French cuisine and ambassador of Fundador Supremo, has been the leader of the new dialogue between French and Spanish cuisine. This gastronomic collaboration between Fundador Supremo and Fornell, between Spain and France, between brandy and haute cuisine française, has been the perfect reunion at Gastronomika 2021.

Fundador Supremo's presence at the San Sebastian congress was accompanied by a variety of actions to publicise and highlight the quality and excellence that characterises this Brandy de Jerez. The virtues of Fundador as the perfect complement to haute cuisine were presented through different activities.

Romain Fornell, Chef and ambassador of Fundador Supremo

Fundador conquers the world's most demanding palates thanks to its participation in San Sebastián Gastronomika. The 23rd edition, with its focus on French cuisine and culture, has been the boost that brandy de Jerez needed to consolidate its position as an essential part of haute cuisine. Fundador has reaffirmed its leadership in the Olympus of haute cuisine and the finest liquids. A recognition by industry professionals that has been supported by Romain Fornell, one of the leading representatives of French cuisine and ambassador of Fundador Supremo. This gastronomic collaboration between Fundador Supremo and Fornell, between Spain and France, between brandy and haute cuisine française, has been the perfect reunion at Gastronomika 2021. Under this slogan, the Kursaal opened its doors. After the successful online edition in 2020, this event was brought back in person, marked by a great acceptance from both the public and the chefs, and that long-awaited return to normality in which smiles, hugs and happiness were reunited again.

Fundador Supremo at Gastrononomika 2021

From 14 to 17 November, San Sebastian was the global capital of gastronomy. This year the focus was on France, trying to establish a new dialogue between French and Spanish cuisine and being the core around which the programme of this congress was based. Spanish and French culture have merged into one to achieve excellence thanks to the best in the world. And here we could not miss Fundador and Romain Fornell, examples of excellence on both sides of the border. The most transformative concepts, new talents of the sector and important figures from Spain and France have been present together with relevant chefs from all over the world. This congress was the cornerstone of this meeting between the French and Spanish gastronomy. This is just the beginning, the start of a relationship full of richness and diversity.

Simone Caporale, Martin Berasategui and Ángel Piña enjoying their perfect serve de Fundador Sherry Cask Solera.

Fundador's French Taste

Vanguard, fusion, technique and alliance. All this and more was Gastronomika 2021. Taking advantage of its main focus, Fundador took part in this event to showcase the virtues and qualities of its brandy as the perfect complement to haute cuisine. Flavour has no frontiers and Spain and France have always been united for this reason. Fundador and Fornell have created a bridge to the future, a connection that combines the best of each part. Fundador's participation in Gastronomika has been marked by an agenda of events, in which the quality and distinction that characterises the brand has been presented. The roadmap began on Sunday 14 November with the inaugural dinner of the event. Around 150 people met at the Basque Culinarie Center to enjoy the evening. A meeting at which Fundador Sherry Cask Solera, Fundador's proposal to revitalise the category, was presented. Simone Caporale, a collaborator of Fundador Sherry Cask Solera, owns SIPS cocktail bar together with Marc Álvarez, and they are two of the best bartenders in the world. Therefore, Simone Caporale was the responsible to present this product as a perfect alternative to mixed drinks with cola. On Monday 15th, in Room 35 of the Kursaal and in front of around 40 people, Fundador's main event took place, exemplifying this perfect French-Spanish alliance. From 17:00 h to 18:30 h a workshop was held, preparing a pairing between Spanish and French cheeses and Fundador Supremo range of brandies. Eva Vila, a cheese expert in Spain, the chef Romain Fornell, who explained these pairings, and Simone Caporale, who presented the virtues of these premium liquids. This masterclass was also attended by Ángel Piña, Global Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer of Fundador. As a representative of the brand, Piña knew that this was the perfect opportunity to show the nuances that the Sherry Casks give to these Prestige brandies.

Romain Fornell, Eva Vila, Ángel Piña and Simone Caporale

Gastronomika 2021 has been an introduction to what Fundador Supremo can offer haute cuisine. With this event, brandy de Jerez adds a new story to its legend: the conquer of cognac's land. Fundador dreamt of France and turned it into a reality.

The written legend of Fundador Supremo

Fundador Supremo is the result of centuries of knowledge distilling brandy in the oldest bodega of the Marco de Jerez. The taste of this brandy dates back to 1874, when Fundador, the first Brandy de Jerez, was born. It is precisely the time that these wines (Oloroso, Amontillado and Pedro Ximénez) spend in contact with the wood of the Sherry Casks that today we can speak of Fundador Supremo, a brandy with unique nuances. Speaking of Sherry Casks is referring to American oak casks with a great porosity and transfer of nuances, and which are the object of desire of distillates such as the best Single Malt Whiskies for their ageing process. Excellence and history define the relationship between Fundador and Romain Fornell. Both are role models in their respective fields, as they have been able to develop over time and create new products for the most demanding palates, always offering a unique sensorial experience.

Chef Amandine Chaignot, Guillaume Gómez, Ángel Piña, chef Alain Dutournier, Simone Caporale and chef Romain Fornell

As Fornell rightly says, "Supremo plays with wood and time, just as a great chef plays with product and technique. Haute cuisine must understand the greatness of the Jerez region and the products elaborated there, in order to play with a liquid like Fundador Supremo, and elevate it to a premium gastronomic experience". Visit our blog and discover all about the sherry cask universe: what are they and what are their benefits.