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National Geographic
08-06-2025
- National Geographic
Where to drink in Jerez, the birthplace of Spanish sherry
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). A pretty place with a jumble of Moorish-style courtyards, gothic churches and grand baroque buildings, the small Andalucian city of Jerez is largely untouched by gentrification and tourism — despite being only an hour from Seville. Yet it has a long-held reputation as the country's sherry capital: 'jerez' means 'sherry' in Spanish and the fortified wine has been made here for over 3,000 years. Once considered old fashioned, sherry has stepped back into the spotlight in recent years, popping up in cocktails and spritzes in bars globally, and Jerez is the ideal place to rediscover it. Locals work hard to preserve their traditions — and have a good time, too — whether it's at flamenco clubs, horse shows or lively sherry bars called tabancos. And with new direct flights from the UK launching this summer, the city is more accessible than ever. Tabanco & tapas tour Start your sherry education with Jerez native Aurora Muñoz, who runs Soleras y Criaderas. Her evening tours take travellers through the winding streets of the historic centre, stopping in different tabancos. As guests sample sherry and tapas, Aurora tells the story of the fortified wine, including how its production boomed in the 16th century after Sir Francis Drake stole 3,000 casks from neighbouring Cadiz and took them to England. The history of the tabancos themselves — originally drinking spots reserved for workers in the sherry-producing bodegas — is also explored. Alongside traditional bars, Aurora stops at places putting a modern spin on the sherry drinking experience, such as bottle-shop-meets-deli Mantequeria El Espartero. Las Banderillas All ages gather at this traditional tabanco, where the walls are covered in bullfighting paraphernalia. Grandparents perch on high stools waiting for plates of Iberico ham to be passed back to them, toddlers are put on the bar and young couples grab glasses of fino — the driest sherry — to swig standing in the street. While normally tabancos serve simple cold snacks alongside the sherry, people come here for the full kitchen and excellent tapas — don't miss the grilled octopus with garlicky potatoes. C. Caballeros, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera Tabanco El Pasaje At Jerez's oldest tabanco — 100 this year — the sherry comes with a side of the city's other most famous export, flamenco. Three times a day (around 2pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm), a silence falls upon this normally riotous bar, one soon filled with the distinct sounds of this Andalucian art form — strumming guitars, energetic stomping and emotive singing. Book one of the limited tables for a front-row seat or join the standing crowd at the back — there's a well-positioned mirror to enable those with an obstructed view to see. Restaurante Pedro Nolasco Best known for its famous Tio Pepe fino, the González Byass winery complex also houses this standout restaurant. Accessed via a private cobbled street enclosed by a canopy of vines, this minimalist ground-floor spot sits in an old wine cellar that opens up to a bright courtyard overlooking Jerez cathedral. Start with a refreshing fino spritz, made with dry sherry, sparkling water and elderflower. The dishes that follow are sherry-themed, such as sea bass with sherry vinegar, and melon infused with Tio Pepe, lime and honey. Bodegas Tradición This small-scale independent sherry producer offers informative tours with a tasting. After seeing the sherry-making process and cellars up close, the bodega's guide pulls up chairs in front of the barrels and serves up six key sherries. Taste from the driest (fino) to the sweetest (Pedro Ximénez), accompanied by an explanation of the processes that transform white grapes into these distinct flavours. The visit concludes with a tour of the owner's private art collection, which includes works by Goya, Velázquez and El Greco. Jerez's little airport is six miles north east of the city. New direct flights are available from May to October with Jet2 from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Seville is also just an hour from Jerez by train and has year-round flight options from across the UK. Rooms at the world's first 'sherry hotel', Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe, start at €195 (£165) per night, B&B. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Isco makes Spain squad return for Nations League final four
Real Betis' Spanish midfielder Isco has been playing superbly in recent months for the Andalucian side (CRISTINA QUICLER) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called up Isco on Monday for the Nations League final four, six years after the midfielder's last appearance for La Roja. The 33-year-old has enjoyed a superb season with Real Betis, helping them reach the Conference League final where they face Chelsea on Wednesday. Advertisement Euro 2024 winners Spain face France in the semi-final in Stuttgart on June 5 before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. "It was the opportune moment for Isco to come and give something to us," De la Fuente told reporters. "He will be adding a lot -- if not, he would not have been in the list." Out of favour for several seasons at Real Madrid, former Malaga playmaker Isco moved to Sevilla and then Betis in 2022 and 2023 respectively. At the Benito Villamarin stadium he has rebuilt his career and become a vital cog in Manuel Pellegrini's attractive attacking set-up. Advertisement "I'm happy to return after so many years, it's a nice objective to be able to play again with my national team," Isco told Real Betis's in-house media. "I'm proud to get back there, that means that things have been going well." Real Madrid's new defensive signing from Bournemouth, Dean Huijsen, who impressed in the quarter-final win over the Netherlands, returns to the squad, while Barcelona midfielders Gavi and Fermin Lopez also make the cut. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal and playmaker Pedri are the key figures, along with Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams. Advertisement Manchester City holding midfielder Rodri was not included despite his recent return to fitness, with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi set to start at the base of midfield. "Rodri is hugely important (but) he's been out for eight months and has only played 10 minutes," added De la Fuente. "It's not the moment to take any risks, we always prioritise the health of the players, he's in the process of improving and gaining back confidence, finding himself again." Full Spain squad for Nations League final four: Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad) Advertisement Defenders: Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri Gonzalez, Dani Olmo (all Barcelona), Isco (Real Betis), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Villarreal) Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Samu Omorodion (Porto), Alvaro Morata (Galatasaray) rbs/gj/pb
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Toddler, 3, dies after being found trapped in parked car in 27C tourist town
A three-year-old boy has died in a popular Spanish tourist town after being found trapped inside a parked car in 27C heat. Emergency responders including police and paramedics were sent to the scene after a 999 call from a member of the public just before 3pm this afternoon. They tried to revive him for several minutes after freeing him from the vehicle and discovering he didn't have a heartbeat. The child was then rushed to a local hospital where he was certified dead. The drama happened in Linares in the Andalucian province of Jaen, home to the Andres Segovia House Museum dedicated to celebrated classical guitarist Andres Segovia.
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Europe's most walkable city is 'best for tourists' and one of the sunniest too
Seville in southern Spain is one of Europe's warmest destinations and has been named the best city to explore on foot. Here's what to see and do in the Andalucian city Is there anything quite as thrilling as discovering a new city on foot? However, some cities are much more pedestrian-friendly than others. A study by the team at Preply analysed Europe's most walkable cities based on how easy it is to explore the city's main attractions without using public transport or a car. Seville, the capital of sunny Andalucia in southern Spain, came out on top. The pretty city is also one of Europe's warmest destinations. According to Preply, it'll take tourists just 20 minutes to walk between Seville's top five attractions. Plaza de Espana is Seville's top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor. Tourists can even take a boat out to explore the pretty city square. However, Britons might want to move fast if they want to explore the square. Seville's city officials have plans to charge an entry fee for it. Just a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Espana, the Royal Alcazar of Seville is a stunning medieval Islamic palace that blends Moorish and Christian architecture, reports the Express. The palace's gardens are incredibly spectacular so it's worth pre-booking a ticket as they can sell out on the day. The city's Cathedral is just a short step from the Plaza and the Alcazar and it dates back to the 15th century. While you're at the Cathedral, don't miss the Torre Giralda, which was once a mosque minaret but has been converted into a church bell tower. As you amble along, you'll encounter the Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville's historic district and one of its top five must-see spots. Its labyrinthine lanes can be a bit tricky to navigate, but there are plenty of tucked-away cafes where you can take a breather and grab a snack. After soaking up the sights, don't miss out on sampling some tapas in this Andalusian city, which proudly proclaims itself as the birthplace of this beloved cuisine. Top picks include slow-cooked beef cheeks, pork sirloin doused in whisky sauce, crispy fried fish or a refreshing seafood salad.
Press and Journal
13-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Do you know your Bourbon Reds from your Nankins and Minorcas?
There's a niche area of farming – away from the mainstream business of producing beef, lamb, pork, chicken and eggs – quietly doing its bid to preserve Britain's rare native livestock and equine breeds. There are sheep and cows among these, but also pigs, horses, ponies, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. In fact, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has more than 100 varieties on the 'priority' section of its 2025-26 watch list alone. They include Eriskay ponies, Tamworth pigs and Old English goats. There are dozens of poultry breeds getting the priority treatment. Chicken varieties include Andalucian, Australorp, British Faverolles, Buff Orpington, Cream Egbar, Croad Langshan, Minorca, Nankin, Scots Dumpy and Sicilian Buttercup. Bourbon Red, Crollwitzer (Pied), Harvey Speckled and Narragansett are among the turkey types. How many of these have you heard of? These fabulously-named animals are new to me. Then there's the 'at risk' category, which includes Llanwenog and Lonk sheep, Shetland and Traditional Hereford cattle, Clydesdale horses, Highland ponies, British Saddleback pigs, Bagot goats and many more. Many of these breeds would die out if it wasn't for the efforts of the RBST and a dedicated band of people throughout the UK who are committed to keeping them alive. Alice Lennox straddles both camps, having recently found her 'dream job' with RBST. She grew up surrounded by rare breeds of pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, ducks and other animals. Her mum and dad, Graham and Debbie Lennox ran Doonie's Rare Breeds Farm, in Aberdeen. For decades, Doonie's was a well-loved destination for visitors from across the north-east and beyond. It was also a working conservation farm, with RBST accreditation. But it was forced to close in August 2023 after landowner Aberdeen City Council decided to make the site part of the city's multi-million-pound energy transition zone. The Lennoxes had run Doonie's for 30 years, and it had been open since the 1970s. Now a few months into her new job as Scottish co-ordinator for RBST, Alice told me she was loving the role. She added: 'I'm spinning a lot of plates but thoroughly enjoying it. Alice won the rare breeds champion of the year title in the 2023 RBST Scotland Food and Farming Sustainability Awards. The accolade recognised her work at Doonie's from 1993 until its closure, and her decade volunteering with RBST support groups around Scotland. She is as passionate as ever about rare breeds and still gets to look after animals belonging to her friends. She's effectively the face of RBST north of the border, focused on achieving its objectives here. Her days are devoted to conserving and promoting native livestock and equine breeds as sustainable alternatives to the intensively farmed animals that have come to dominate our countryside in recent decades. Her duties also include managing events, supporting applications for funding and advising on conservation projects. Events she's at the heart of in 2025 include the RBST Scotland Conference on July 31. Asked why her work is so important, Alice said: 'Our rare native livestock and equine breeds have long served Scottish farms and communities. 'They continue to deliver important roles today and for the future too. 'Bred for local landscapes and conditions, our rare livestock breeds are ideal for high quality, nutritious and sustainable food production that also supports the natural environment. 'The equine breeds are fantastic across a range of disciplines, and the ponies are also excellent for improving natural biodiversity through conservation grazing.' Conserving the genetics of these irreplaceable breeds could also be crucial in the face of future disease outbreaks, the impacts of climate change or other as-yet-unknown challenges.' Alice Lennox, Scottish co-ordinator, RBST She added: 'There are fantastic examples of rare livestock and equine breeds at the heart of farm diversifications. 'Conserving the genetics of these irreplaceable breeds could also be crucial in the face of future disease outbreaks, the impacts of climate change or other as-yet-unknown challenges. 'These breeds are part of Scotland's identity and I look forward to exploring their future at the heart of farming and land management at the RBST Scotland Conference at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire, on July 31.' Through its 4,200 members, staff and support groups, RBST provides a network of knowledge to support and encourage those doing their bit to support native rare breeds. Native breeds play a major role in rural life in the UK. According to RBST, there are around 30,000 herds and flocks in the category contributing more than £700 million a year to local economies around Britain.
