Fundador celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of the first Spanish brandy and the creation of a new category, that of Brandy de Jerez.
In the 19th century, in a corner of the winery, some “holandas”; wine spirits, were stored for decades in American oak barrels that had previously contained the excellent world-renowned “generosos” or fortified wines of the area.
After many years, a master winemaker found the casks hidden from view in a corner of the winery and upon opening them and tasting the liquids inside, he discovered an exceptional product resulting from its aging, with its own characteristics, soft, complex in aromas and rich in nuances, thanks to its silent repose in these Sherry barrels, known worldwide as “Sherry Casks”.
Thus the new category of brandy was born, going down in the annals of history.
And this unique product was registered under the name FUNDADOR.
Brandy Fundador “The Original Legend”.
A brand that over the years has worked to preserve tradition, combining it with innovation, to adapt to the times, customers and forms of consumption.
BRANDY FUNDADOR, DARE TO TRY IT ON ITS OWN OR COMBINED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE SOFT DRINK
Fundador Sherry Cask Solera + SIPS: a perfect serve that revolutionises the Brandy category
February, 2022
● Fundador Sherry Cask has arrived to show the world the most versatile expression of Brandy de Jerez. With a legendary flavour and a history that has only just begun, it will revolutionise the way brandy is consumed from now on.
● Together with Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, Fundador Sherry Cask presents its 'perfect serve'. Both, two of the best bartenders in the world, owners of SIPS Drinkery House and ambassadors of Fundador Sherry Cask, joined brandy de Jerez to introduce this golden liquid in the most modern mixology flavours.
● Fundador, the origin of the first Spanish brandy and a leader since 1874, has known how to adapt itself to the modern times without leaving the tradition that guarantees its quality . Thanks to its ageing in Sherry Casks, it acquires special notes and a sweet and smooth taste, perfect to enjoy on its own, in a tall wine glass, and also with ice, Cola and a lemon/orange mix as wedges.
Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez: two of the best bartenders in the world
Fundador Sherry Cask has arrived to show the world the most versatile expression of Brandy de Jerez. With a legendary flavour and a history that has only just begun, it will revolutionise the way brandy is consumed from now on. After more than 40 years, Fundador presents a renewed image of its classic brandy, offering a modern drink that can be enjoyed with friends, family, in the bar or at home, but always with a unique personality.
Now this brandy is presented as the perfect accompaniment to our combined drinks, offering a new way of consumption. Although the quality of the product is as important as the way it is served; therefore, as the best flavour must be accompanied by the best presentation to be consumed, Fundador, together with Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, presents the 'perfect serve' of Sherry Cask. Both are two of the best bartenders in the world, owners of the SIPS Drinkery House and ambassadors of this product.
Fundador Sherry Cask: surrendered to innovation
Fundador Sherry Cask perfect serve
Fundador is promoting this new movement in which brandy leaves its old image and surrenders to the innovation, avant-garde and savoir faire of the great figures. Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, bartenders with great national and international recognition, fit perfectly with Fundador's objective with this versatile Brandy de Jerez: both want to create trends and revolutionise the drinks sector. Evidence of the impact that SIPS has had on the world of mixology is that, just months after its opening in Barcelona, they entered in the World's 50 Best Bars in 37th position.
Caporale and Álvarez, with a long and successful career, are two true trendsetters in the beverages world and, of course, they have surrendered to the charms of this product. But it is not only the two of them who have fallen in love with this liquid, as renowned chefs have been seduced by the magic of this drink. Fundador Sherry Cask is a trend, as the legend has never been more fashionable than now.
This perfect serve is the maximum expression of delicacy with which the product should be treated: a tall wine glass is the perfect glassware for Fundador Sherry Cask, since its characteristics and the concept behind it make it the best presentation. As Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez said, "it is a consumer proposal that is totally in line with the product. From the moment we started working with Fundador Sherry Cask, it was clear to us: we had to develop a perfect serve that would respect its elegance and, at the same time, be different from the rest of the proposals". And the addition of two citrus fruits helps to achieve it: "it is a totally differentiating mix, balancing and harmonising the serve".
A legend born in the oldest bodega in Jerez, Bodegas Fundador, and whose ageing in Sherry Casks gives it unique nuances. The brandy acquires special notes and a sweet and smooth taste, perfect to enjoy on its own, in a tall wine glass, and also with ice, Cola and a lemon/orange mix as wedges. In addition, this perfect serve creates a balance between the brandy and cola without either dominating over the other, so that the nuances of Fundador Sherry Cask finish in a subtle way.
Fundador, the origin of the first Spanish brandy and a leader since 1874, has known how to adapt itself to the modern times without leaving the tradition that guarantees it. The result is the presentation in 2021 of its best-known Brandy, Fundador Sherry Cask. Fundador expands its legend and takes another step forward in the history of premium distillates.
Fundador Sherry Cask is presented as the updated version of the brand's icon, in an effort to revitalise and premiumise the category after more than 40 years of success. An unprecedented launch that will be available in important markets such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico and the United States, as well as Spain. From the cap to the embossing with the date of birth of the Bodegas or the new double label, it seeks direct communication with the consumer, taking care of every detail. In addition, the incorporation of a QR code on its packaging allows for further information, encouraging this union with the public.
Discover more about Fundador Sherry Cask in this website.
Earth with John Holden: Brandy sostenibility
April, 2022Earth with John Holden explores in this episode the vineyards of Daramezas in Toledo, Spain. A place where a very special grape variety is grown, necessary to obtain the best brandy de Jerez in the world: Brandy Fundador.
What is Earth with John Holden?
Earth with John Holden is an American TV program that showcases inspiring companies and places around the world where sustainable and environmentally friendly practices are implemented. Its main objective? To create an efficient community and improve people's life quality through different activities: business, health, food, industry...
Hosted by six-time Emmy Award winner and NBC News journalist John Holden, the programme takes an in-depth look at innovative solutions, ideas and technologies that are being used, developed or researched around the world. Each episode focuses on those who are striving to make the right choices to promote the health of the world we live in.
This way, viewers are involved and reflected in these stories through interviews and location visits. This provides an insight into how companies are pursuing environmental protection, combining tradition with the latest technological advances, in order to create a better world with the most efficient result.
Earth with John Holden: discovering Fundador
In this episode, John Holden accompanies us to Daramezas (Toledo), a key location in the production process of our brandies de Jerez. The famous and large vineyard placed here is where the Airén grapes, needed to produce the highest quality products, are grown. This grape has been cultivated for centuries, approximately since the year 1700, improving and optimising the techniques used in its growth.
Guided by the company's expert employees, you will see the importance that history has in this place, where tradition has continued to be preserved as a symbol of sustainability.
It also highlights the sustainable and eco-friendly processes that we implement, from the vineyard to the bottling process, always looking for an optimum final result. This includes monitored humidity and salinity sensors, intelligent irrigation systems that optimise the oxygenation of the water used, as well as its more efficient use, aerial drones for a simpler vineyard supervision, and the use of the falcon, an ancient art, for pest control.
Kevin Tan, executive member of Emperador Distillers, to which Fundador belongs, says: "As the world's largest brandy producer, we have a responsibility to take care of our consumers, making the best products for both them and the environment around us.
In this way, the heritage of the most traditional methods and the most modern systems merge to create a perfect ecological synergy that is reflected in the quality of all our products, both in the Sherry Cask Collection and in Fundador.
As you can see, the world of brandy de Jerez hides many secrets, making it a unique drink. Visit our blog to learn more.
Bodegas of Jerez: an essential part in Brandy’s history
February, 2021
The Marco de Jerez Bodegas, known as cathedral-bodegas due to their special characteristics, are the most representative of the region, becoming the cornerstone in sherry and brandy production process.Find out more about these bodegas and their characteristics in this article.
What is a "cathedral-bodega"?
As we have mentioned in previous posts, the Marco de Jerezregion has special conditions for brandy and other distillates elaboration, such as its climate and soil, as well as the architecture of its bodegas, known as "cathedral-bodegas", one of the icons of this area. To learn about its origins, we have to look back centuries. In the past, sherry wine used to be sold year by year and not required a long ageing process, making its storage easier and less space-consuming. However, in the early 19th century, sherries began to be recognised for their organoleptic characteristics thanks to their careful ageing process, so keeping them in a proper place became necessary. This is the origin of the cathedral-bodegas, which are strategically located in elevated areas near the coast to allow the circulation of fresh air to preserve inside the optimum humidity and temperature levels.
Bodegas of Jerez characteristics
These bodegas are very attractive in terms of architecture, but at the same time they are the ideal place for brandies and sherries ageing.They are different from the rest due to their visual characteristics, such as their impressive dimensions, high ceilings and geographical locations. Our bodega La Mezquita, part of Bodegas Fundador, the oldest in Jerez de la Frontera, is a good example of this. It was built for Fundador's centenary in 1884, and it is recognised by its hundreds of arches that house more than 40,000 casks where brandies and sherries are aged. Enjoy this virtual tourto learn more about it and be surprised by its interesting facts.
Bodegas architecture: its influence on Sherry wines and brandies
As we have said, their construction is not accidental, it was designed to provide the best conditions to the products. In this way, both its orientation and the roof structure create an ideal space, avoiding temperature changes, absorbing humidity and giving thermal insulation to achieve the ideal temperature. The soil is usually made of ‘albero’ in order to preserve a cool and humid atmosphere in summer, when the temperature is specially high. Height is also crucial, affecting on the volume of air that it can hold and being essential for their ageing process. Moreover, windows are set at a high position and in a specific direction to minimise the warm East wind (Levante wind), and maximise the cool and humid West wind (Poniente wind).
As you can see, bodegas hold a lot of history in their walls, being an essential part of the Sherry wine and brandy production process. Check out our blogand learn more about them.
Brandy ageing: which varieties of Sherry wines are necessary?
February, 2021
Sherry wines are one of the most appreciated and recognised wines in Spain due to their uniqueness and special dynamic ageing process in Criaderas and Solera.Discover in this article the different types of Sherry wines that exist, its characteristics and their role in the Brandy de Jerez production process.
What is Sherry wine?
Sherry wine is a type of fortified wine with a high alcohol content, around 15% to 20%. They are also characterised by a special production processes, in which extra alcohol is added to achieve a unique result.Moreover, these wines are different from others because of their place production, the Marco de Jerez, a unique location between the municipalities of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which, due to the weather and soil, results in unique products. Read the article and learn more about the Marco de Jerez and what makes it so special.
We can categorise Sherry wine into three groups:Dry Sherry wines
Manzanilla
Fino
Amontillado
Palo Cortado
Oloroso
Sweet Sherry wines
Moscatel
Pedro Ximénez
Liquor Sherry wines
Medium
Cream
Sherry wines ageing process
Sherry wine ageing is a fundamental part of the process. In the Marco de Jerez area, we can differenciate two different ageing processes:
Oxidative ageing: It is called oxidative due to thepermanent contact of the sherry wine with oxygen, giving it complexity, structure and particular aromas. He quitado eso porque me da miedo que parezca estatico, mucho tiempo en 1 bota.
Biological ageing:under the "velo de flor"the wine evolves thanks to the biological veil, full of yeasts, formed on its surface. The “velo de flor” protects the wine from environmental oxidation and promotes significant changes, offering pleasant aromas characteristic of Sherry wines.
Regardless of the type of ageing used, the Sherry wine production process could not be understood without the traditional dynamic system of Criaderas and Solera, typical of the Marco de Jerez that is still used today. This consists on the establishment of several scales of casks (Criaderas) through which the liquid passes until it reaches the lowest part (Solera), from where the final liquid is extracted. 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.
According to the Consejo Regulador of the Denomination of Origin Jerez, ageing period for Sherry wines should be at least two years, although this is usually longer so that each type of wine acquires the appropriate characteristics.
Types of sherry wines used for Brandy ageing
Sherry wines are highly appreciated all over the world for the distillates' ageing, since, as we have explained in another article about brandy ageing in Sherry Casks, each type of wine gives different organoleptic characteristics to the liquid contained in the cask.Sherry wines used for Sherry Casks seasoning are:
Fino: made from Palomino grapes and aged through biological crianza. Their aroma has a very characteristic almond hint, result of the yeasts generated in the "velo de flor". Characterised by a very dry, low-acid taste, their alcohol content is usually around 15% ABV.
Amontillado: it is also produced with Palomino grapes, but its ageing has two stages, a biological and a oxidative one, which develops its organoleptic characteristics. This wine has a golden to mahogany colour, with hazelnut notes on the nose and a structured and alcoholic taste, with spicy notes of wood. Its alcohol content is usually between 17% and 20% ABV.
Oloroso: made from Palomino grapes, its oxidative ageing results in an intense amber wine, which will gradually darken. On the nose, predominate aromas of dried fruits, spices and leather, whilst on the palate, it is powerful and textured, with a high alcohol content (between 18 and 20% ABV).
Pedro Ximénez: obtained from Pedro Ximénez sun-dried grapes, a process that concentrates the fruit sugars in the juice. They are very sweet wines, with a dark colour and a dense texture that grips the glass. It has mellow aromas of raisined fruit.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of Sherry wines, bringing different nuances to the brandies because of their unique characteristics. Find out in this article how Sherry wines can affect brandy ageing. Visit our website to learn more about brandy.
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.
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.
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