Please find below the text from a wonderful Spanish newspaper article this week :
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**Sherry in the ‘rosy’ novels of Barbara Cartland**
– **Prolific and famous author of the romance genre**
– **A distinctive wine for her aristocratic characters**
By **José Luis Jiménez García**
Little by little, our wines are gaining relevance in universal literature—an area that has been little studied, except for a few that have tackled it in a documentary manner.
In this “search” among books, I have found that sherry has appeared on more than one occasion, sometimes even playing a central role in the plot.
This study mainly examines those works published in other languages, as the presence of our wines in the Spanish novel market has been rather limited.
The list is extensive, but some of the most notable authors include **Agatha Christie, P. D. James, Mary Higgins Clark, Barbara Pym, Ruth Rendell, Barbara Graham, and Henry Graham Greene**.
It also includes a large number of books published in the crime novel genre.
### From ‘Black’ to ‘Pink’
From the noir to the romance novel—two literary genres that seem almost opposite, yet both reflect society, human passions, and the ups and downs of love, often leading to financial ruin or heartbreak.
Romance novels are highly popular in the United States and Canada, where the genre thrives. The **pink fiction** of the 19th and 20th centuries has evolved over time, maintaining a significant market share—31.3%—and generating more than **$1.1 billion annually in sales**.
In Spain, with the advent of democracy, romantic novels in the Anglo-Saxon tradition made a strong entrance, displacing Spanish authors in the genre. According to available data, most of the romance novels published in the Spanish market between the 1980s and 1999 were translated works.
Among these, two outstanding authors were **Danielle Steel**, a 1970s sensation, and **Barbara Cartland**, who gained popularity in the mid-1980s.
### The Queen of Romance
Barbara Cartland’s novels were filled with romantic and sweet ‘roses’ throughout her life. She gained recognition from **London Daily Express** in 1925 when they published her first novel, *Jigsaw*, which was a surprising success.
By the 1970s, she was already an established figure in high society, a defender of morals, beauty, and elegance. She was also one of the **Guinness World Record** holders for being one of the most widely read authors.
Even Queen Elizabeth II awarded **Dame Barbara Cartland** the **Order of the British Empire** in 1991, in honor of her contributions to literature, politics, and social causes.
However, the recognition of this extraordinary figure was already widespread. Born in **Edgbaston**, a town in northern England, the British writer became one of the most prolific authors in history, with **723 books published**, translated into **36 languages**.
Her record for the highest number of books published in a year—**23 novels in 1983**—still stands today.
Her books have sold over **750 million copies**, an astonishing figure for any writer.
Her stories starred young heroines who confronted impossible love stories in a world where passion was both forbidden and longed for.
Her style was **”sentimental, ridiculous, and old-fashioned”**, as some critics described it. However, this did not prevent her from being a major success in the **independent publishing industry**, much like **Ellie Howard** in the modern era.
### Love in Golden Cups
This author understood that her novels were much more than simple literary works; they represented a **cultural production** that continued to endure across **generations and different languages**.
Sherry appears frequently in her novels. One example is a **trifle soaked in sherry**, featured in *A Cruise to Love*:
> “There was a trifle heavily laced with sherry… I always liked it that way because it paired so well with champagne.”
The aristocratic characters in *Innocent Adventuress* also drink sherry before their banquets:
> “Before dinner, tenants from the estate were drinking a cup of sherry with the marquess before heading into the banquet hall.”
In *Indiscreet*, during a conversation between **Lord Ryon** and **Miss Wickham**, the characters discuss marriage while drinking sherry.
Meanwhile, in *Love Desires*, the heroine **Virginia** remembers how the doctor recommended sherry for her recovery:
> “I love this noble wine because it restores my health.”
In *Trillio Love*, sherry is also mentioned:
> “The excellent amontillado will soon raise your spirits and put you in a much better mood!”
A scene from *The Wonderful Dream* (1993) describes an evening gathering where aristocrats **drink cigars and sherry** while making deals about land distribution.
### Literary Culture
As we know, **Jerez was selected as the Spanish Gastronomic Capital of 2022**, a distinction granted by **The Spanish Hospitality Federation (FEHR)**.
This recognition showcases **the region’s deep cultural roots**, linked to its **traditions, culinary excellence, and the art of sherry winemaking**.
Jerez will soon have the opportunity to **organize a major tourism event** that highlights **the historical and literary impact of sherry**.
Vintners and experts will continue to explore how sherry **pairs well with gastronomy**, including notable dishes like shrimp fritters, grilled meats, seafood, bluefin tuna, Iberian ham, and foie gras.
All of this reinforces Jerez’s status as a **culinary and cultural destination**, where sherry has left an indelible mark throughout history.
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This translation keeps the style and meaning intact. Let me know if you need any refinements! ?
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