Jerez Means Sherry in Spanish

Jerez de la Frontera is know for it’s Andalusian horses, flamenco, and sherry, so naturally I explored all 3.

I’ve always liked horses (ask any of my childhood friends who came to my horseback riding birthday parties) and I was drawn to come to Jerez after I read about the show “How the Andalusian Horses Dance”. During the 2 hour performance there were different acts all set to traditional music: single horse and rider, groupings of horses with riders, carriages, and horses on leads.

I had know idea that horses could move the way that they did. There were times they glided like figure skaters: changing lead leg as they changed direction and doing cross over steps as they moved diagonally. There were times they moved like ballet dancers: prancing in sync with the music, skipping, and timing intricately choreographed designs. There were times they had the muscle control of break dancers: squatting on their back legs while holding their front legs balanced in the air and jumping like kangaroos across the arena. There were times they played like children: marching their front legs forward like soldiers, bouncing all 4 legs off the ground, and jumping high in the air and kicking their back legs out.

I was entranced. I could almost feel the change in air pressure as the audience collectively held their breath then let out sighs. I could see the glisten of perspiration on the horses as a song neared completion. I could sense the connection between horse and rider; the rider lovingly patting the horse during applause. More than once I felt the prickle of tears in my eyes. I did not predict that it would move me this much.

Photos and videos are prohibited, so here are some outdoor shots at the practice arena and a couple of sneak pics from during the show. Take my word for it that no picture or video can compare to seeing this show live.

Next I went to a popular flamenco and sherry bar. If you haven’t seen a flamenco show, it’s also something that can’t be described with words and images. There’s usually someone playing rhythmic guitar and a singer who sings in a very passionate and emotional way, almost wailing at times. The dancer is also very emotional and uses his/her whole body (stamping, clapping, facial expressions) to adjunct the dance.

I really liked the atmosphere of this bar. They write a person’s tab in chalk on the bar, so when I wanted something else I just pointed to my chalk tab and he’d add the new drink.

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As for the Sherry tasting, I went to a bodega called Emilio Lustau. It offered a tour with 9 Sherry tastings and 2 vermouth.

Here’s how my tasting notes went:

#1: hints of nail polish remover and lemon

#2: scent of sea air with a finish of nail polish remover

#3: starting to taste better… Maybe like orange peel and hydrogen peroxide

…

#6: yes, caramel with cardamom undertones

…

#9: Sherry? Who is she?

#10 (white vermouth): yum

#11 (red vermouth): yum with coriander and ginger aftertaste. Followed by a couple of free pours by an English woman who was on the tour.

There may or may not have been a cartwheel done in the main square following. Because I was alone you’ll never know…

Here are a few pictures from my wanderings around town.

I took a day trip to the seaside city of Cadiz. I hadn’t planned to go there, but it had the best forecast in the area. It was wonderful to explore the winding streets and walk the boardwalk.

Tomorrow I head to Seville to take my night bus to meet RobO. As promised I’ll do an Easter week blog before you get to start hearing from RobO.