Brandy de Jerez

Social and Economic Importance

Brandy is one of the greatest universal beverages. Its consumption is widely spread throughout the world and there are numerous countries of wine-growing tradition which produce brandy. Brandy is a very traditional drink in Spain, our country being one of the major producers in the whole world.

95% of Spanish brandy is Brandy de Jerez, the only one to benefit from a Specific Denomination and a Consejo Regulador. Brandy is also produced in Cataluña, Castilla la Mancha, Rioja, País Vasco, Murcia, Andalucía, Galicia ..., but they are not classified as Brandy de Jerez.

The economic importance of the product can be clearly seen from the following points:

1. Brandy de Jerez is the most important of all spirituous beverages produced in Spain, with an approximate production volume of around 67 million bottles per year, of which approximately 60% is consumed on the home market and 40% abroad.
2. Brandy de Jerez is by far the spirituous beverage most widely exported from Spain, with a volume of over 26 million bottles in 2006. It is exported to 70 countries in all five continents. Amongst the main export markets for Brandy de Jerez are the Philippines, Mexico, Germany, Great Britain, etc…
3. The annual production of Brandy de Jerez requires a minimal input to the ageing system of around 18 million litres of wine alcohol. In terms of area, over 49,000 hectares of vineyard are dedicated exclusively to this end
4. Turnover corresponding to Brandy de Jerez in 2006 was of over 444 million Euros of which around 130 million Euros were paid into the Inland Revenue department in the concept of tax