Information about the food and drink of Andalucia, Southern Spain Information about the food and drink of Andalucia, Southern Spain. The others are on the coast are Sanlucar de Barrameda at the mouth of the r ver Guadalquivir, and Puerto de Santa Maria. Between them they produce virtually all the genuine sherry that is shipped to the rest of the world. There is not much difference between the wines of Jerez and Puerto de Santa Maria, except that the latter are noted for their fino and amontillado types of sherry. Despite such a short distance between them the wine produced will be affected by any slight change in the atmosphere or climate.
History records the earliest fermented fruit as date wine, but mead probably came first, then beer.
The Greeks however practised viticulture as an art. When the Romans captured Spain, they found many vineyards and viticulture advanced rapidly. It heralded a time of perpetual war until the Moors swept over the peninsular for some 7 centurias, only to be usurped finally by the Christians. During Moorish domination, Jerez expanded in size and wealth. In recent times, wage inflat on and the availability of cheaper and better mach nery and new computer technology have jolted the traditions and whole atmosphere of the sherry towns.