The Countryside
As we’re moving in-land, we come across the countryside, where an important agricultural and cattle activity takes place. Linked to the cultivation of cereals, the bakery industry has developed with a wide range of picos (breadsticks) and regañás – very small pieces of crispy baked dough, very versatile and the perfect accompaniment to tasty tapas.
Marco de Jerez (Jerez region) stands out in the Cádiz countryside. Its unique landscape of rolling hills and white lagoon soils, between the Guadalquivir River and the Atlantic coast of Sanlucar, surprises the visitor – as if it was from another planet. These special soils are home to the vineyards of the Palomino variety, where most of wines from Jerez Marco de Jerez (Jerez region) stands out in the Cádiz countryside. Its unique landscape of rolling hills and white lagoon soils, between the Guadalquivir River and the Atlantic coast of Sanlúcar, surprises the visitor – as if it was from another planet. These special soils are home to the vineyards of the Palomino variety, where most of wines from Jerez (protected by the D.O.P. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Manzanilla de Sanlúcar) come from. Wines that are unique in the world, some of them authentic jewels of oenology, made with the characteristic system of soleras and criaderas. This territory can also be proud of other products of innate good taste such as Sherry Vinegar and Sherry Brandy.
However, the wine industry in Cádiz isn’t limited to Sherry Wines. Now, there is also an emerging activity in the production of new still wines, especially red and white, some of them of the so-called minimal intervention type, which are gaining international success.
Countryside is also home to oranges, high-quality rice and chickpeas. Wildlife is also thriving there with such products as snails of various types (caracoles, cabrillas), tagarninas (oyster thistle), asparagus, small and big game hunting.
Its pastures and meadows are home to a booming livestock activity related, above all, to cattle reared extensively. The peculiar morphology and colour of the Retinta breed of cattle form part of the landscape of the Cádiz countryside, full of contrasts of singular beauty.
