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Perličky ze středověké Kastílie - část první
Korida (Corrida de toros)
Sherry
Sherry is being made for centuries on the outskirts of city Xeres in Andalusia. Winery had been imported to Jerez region around 1100 B.C. by Phoenicians, and Romans continued the tradition. Moors had conquered the area in 711 A.C. and Moor alchemists combined winery with their knowlegde of distillation. Thus brandy and sherry originated. Wine production under Muslim supremacy had continued for next five centuries. In 966 A.C., khalifa Al-Hakam II., commands to destroy the vineyards. The residents of Xeres had protested vigorously and objected the vineyards provide raisins to nourish the armies of khalifa. In the end, khalif decided to spare two thirds of the vineyards. In 1264 A.C., Alfonso X. reconquered the insurgent city of Xeres and decreed Muslim inhabitans to be banished. The production of sherry grew significantly and started to be exported into the whole Europe. By the end of 16. century, sherry was concidered as the best wine in the world. Columbus ferried sherry into the New world and when Magellan in 1519 (a.c.) was preparing for the travel around the world, he had spent more money for sherry than he had for weapons. Shakespeare wrote about him, Edgar Allan Poe immortalized Amontillado in his novel and Monty Python´s Flying Circus dedicates him a big part of tenth episode in the third TV season.
In Cantigas Alfonso mentions vineyards of Xeres in song 359, and promotes the whole region in more than next ten, where he also describes the revolt of Muslims in the city. Mentions are to be found also in Estoria general and in Siete partidas. We are looking forward badly to bring a barrel of Amontillado at the events of Hradecký dvůr!
author: Vít Hrachový, English translation by Cyril Dušek