The southernmost region of Spain is also the oldest wine-growing region in the country. Vineyards are said to have been cultivated here for over 1,000 years before the birth of Christ. A good half of the approximately 30,000 hectares of Andalusia under cultivation is reserved for sherry wine. However, full-bodied table wines are increasingly being pressed in the region, for example from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Palomino and Zalema varieties.