Jerez DO was established in 1933 and its most famous fortified wine, Sherry, is produced in three towns know as the Sherry Triangle. Jerez de la Frontera, Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda make up the triangle.
Palomino, Pedro Ximenex and Muscato de Alejandria are all white grapes and used to make Sherry. The styles of Sherry range in order of dryness from: Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Paolo Cortado, Olorosso and Pedro Ximenex.
The climate here is maritime, warmed by Spain's interior and cooled by the Mediterranean breezes. This cooling effect is important as it helps retain grape acidity. The area also receives about 300 sunshine days, an important grape ripening factor. There are three main soil types to mention. Albariza has a calcium/clay mixture which is almost white, helping reflect sunlight back onto the grapes. It also retains moisture well. Barros is mostly clay based with chalk and Arenas or sands.