Fundador Solera Spanish Brandy 700ml

It is no surprise that Spain became one of Europe’s earliest centres of distillation. Following the absorption of Arab cultural influence in the early 8th century, Spaniards were among the first Europeans to master the art. For many years, much of their production was exported to the Dutch as raw spirit, until phylloxera devastated vineyards in Cognac, France in the early 1880s. During that period, Spanish brandy briefly entered a golden age, becoming a popular and accessible alternative to Cognac.

Today, Spain has two regions with Denominación de Origen protection for brandy production, namely Jerez, Andalucía, Spain and Penedès, Catalonia, Spain. To qualify for certification, the spirit must be aged in one of these regions. In the case of Jerez, most grapes used are Airén and Palomino, with distillation typically taking place in La Mancha, Spain before the spirit is transported for maturation in Jerez.

Brandy de Jerez is a national favourite, and visitors to Spain are certain to encounter it. Much of the maturation is carried out by local sherry bodegas, which already possess extensive stocks of seasoned casks. Ageing commonly occurs in 500 litre American oak barrels that have previously held sherry for at least three years, imparting distinctive dried fruit and nutty characteristics.

In 1874, Fundador Brandy was one of the first spirits to be marketed under the name “Brandy de Jerez”. Today it is produced by Pedro Domecq at one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, dating back to the 1730s. Known as La Mezquita, the Mosque, the bodega is celebrated for its whitewashed walls and Moorish arches. It remains one of the region’s oldest commercial establishments and a popular destination for wine tourism, thanks to its atmospheric cellars and high quality wines and spirits.

In style, Brandy de Jerez is generally broader and more robust on the palate than Cognac, with a strong emphasis on dried fruit and flavours derived from sherry seasoned casks. This particular expression is considered an entry level bottling, designed for everyday enjoyment.