News from Jerez 6.9.12

Fire at a cooperage in Jerez

Fire broke out yesterday in the 600 m2 roof of the Tevasa cooperage, a well-known supplier of barrels to the Scotch Whisky trade. It is thought to have been caused by a spark, and happened at about 6.00 when the 57 men were winding down from their day’s work. They managed to control the flames with their own hoses and cut off the electricity supply. The fire brigade hosed the place down to avoid any risk of the fire restarting, and unfortunately some of the machinery got wet, holding up work till it can be dried out. The civil Guard were also in attendance.

The Harvest

The coastal areas of the Sherry zone have now started picking. In Chiclana and Sanlucar thecrop is coming in to the presses albeit at a slightly lower must weight than the vineyards of the interior. In Trebujena the harvest is finished. In all the picking is on the home straight.

La Catedra del Vino: Why Sherry is good for you

Carmelo Garcia Barroso, director of Andalucian Centre of viti-vinicultural Investigation and chair of Analytical Chemistry at UCA (Cadiz University) was the first speaker at the event held at the Consejo’s own bodega, San Gines. He talked about the many benefits offered by Sherry.

 It prevents illness, preserves and lengthens life, it can even be eaten, it can be used in skin care and in cooking. It is effective against colds and flu – the old home remedy of a glass of sweet Sherry with an egg yolk in it. He quoted Alexander Fleming who said “If penicillin cures disease, then Sherry can surely waken the dead”.

Sherry contains nutrients such as amino acids, calories, vitamins. For that reason in the past, Spanish ships were provisioned with it. Sherry can prevent cardiovascular problems and augment good cholesterol. Its polyphenols act as antioxidants blocking dangerous free radicals. It fights degenerative diseases such as cancer, osteoarthritis, dementia and diabetes.

And it doesn’t even need to be drunk; it is as wonderful in a dish as out of it, it enhances flavours. If the alcohol and water are removed, the resulting essence can be made into delicious sweets, and chocolate with sweet Sherry is sublime. Even the leftovers from winemaking have valuable uses; jam or biscuits are made with pressings, and cosmetics and gels too.

What more can one say?!!