If we are to speak of products as having a Denomination of Origin, then two different elements must coincide: the origin and production process. For sherry, wines produced in the Jerez region in accordance with specific traditional processes and fulfilling specific conditions are legally protected by the Denominations of Origin "Jerez-Xérès-Sherry" and "Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda". In addition, another agro-food product also exists within the Jerez region, one which in the year 1994 achieved the status of a Denomination of Origin: "Vinagre de Jerez" (Sherry Vinegar).

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While there are other wines made in these regions, unless they adhere to the methods and meet the strict requirements of the Regulations, these wines are unable to belong to the Denominations of Origin. Equally, there are also wines made outside of the Jerez region in similar methods to these DOCs but because they originate in the region defined by the Denomination of Origin, they are unable to make use of terms such as Jerez, Sherry or Manzanilla.

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The Consejo Regulador

THE REGULATIONS

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The Consejo Regulador is trusted to legally defend the Denominations of Origin of "Jerez-Xérès-Sherry" and "Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda."

It is Public Law Corporation representing both economic and social interests and acts as a decentralised body of the Andalusian Regional Government Council of Agricultural and Fisheries.

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In more simple terms: the Consejo Regulador has a "private" dimension in that it represents the private interests of all the registered wine-growers and sherry firms; and a "public" dimension, acting in the name of the Government in mattered related to the management and defence the region which itself, is tetchnically a public asset.

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The Consejo represents all players in the Denomination of Origin system: sherry firms, independent wine-growers and members of co-ops. The council of the Institution is made up of 23 members, 20 of whom are democratically elected every four years. In this vote, 10 members are elected to represent the production sector (wine-growers) and 10 representatives from Bodegas (the selling houses). Once elected, the 20 members of the Consejo in turn elect a President, who is put forward to be officially named by the Regional Government.

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