Jerez

Today was a trip to Jerez – only 35 minutes on the train from Cadiz and a very picturesque journey with tidal mudflats and birds and salt pans
 
Jerez was a bit problematical.  Nothing at the Station to say where the Tourist Office was and hardly any street had a sign on it.  Finally got to the Office who were very helpful, but the map they provided had hardly any streetnames either!
 
Finally decided on a trip around the Bodegas Fundador - https://www.grupoemperadorspain.com/es/bodegasfundador/ - which is the largest of all the producers, with brands such as Fundador Brandy and the Harvey’s range of sherries.
 
We had a very informative tour around the property, including the Bodega La Mezquita which was built in 1974 and reflects the design of the Mosque in Cordoba.  It can hold 40,000 American oak barrels and the black on the pillars and walls is the evaporated alcohol – or angels’ share – from the barrels.
 
 
At the end of the tour we were provided with a glass of Harveys Bristol Cream, but unlike my experience of the sherry back in the 1960’s it was served on ice with a slide or orange and was delicious.  I think we might be getting a bottle of that!
 
Because of all the delays we missed the opening hours of the Alcazar, so headed back to the station and Cadiz.
 
Probably worth a second visit if we are in the area in the future, but we will plan a bit more.