29.5.13 Fedejerez Postpones Voting on Fino/Manzanilla Proposal

The Jerez bodegas association, Fedejerez, has decided to postpone the vote on this contentious issue until the next Consejo meeting on the last Tuesday of July, in order to allow more time for dialogue and a potential solution to the problem. It is not clear whether they would have had sufficient votes to have the proposal passed, though a simple majority could have been achieved, according to  Evaristo Babe, president of Fedejerez, though not necessarily in the interests of the Consejo.

He said the meeting took place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, yet there was an air of tension. He defended the proposal and his wish that it could be put to the vote, in contrast to the majority who wished it to be removed from the table, especially the Vinateros de Sanlucar, who wished it could be scrapped. Manuel Valdecantos of Barbadillo, on behalf of the Sanluquenos, recalled the historic rights of Sanluquenos to produce Fino.

Finally, Fedejerez acceded to the postponement of the vote until the next plenary meeting at the behest of Beltran Domecq, who in view of the lack of consensus and the sensitivity of the issue, asked for one last effort at dialogue.

During the next two months, the Sherry trade will sit down and negotiate a solution to the conflict, for which they have asked the Junta de Andalucia, a silent witness so far, to help. The positions of the two camps, however, seem irreconcilable.

In the face of criticism from the trade about the timing of the proposal, Babe declared that the date was pre-set from the expiry of the moratorium three years ago. Everyone knew that it was ending, and a decision has to be made now, so we are keeping in touch over the next two months while we seek more consensus.

Some sources say that Fedejerez is not interested in changing its proposal, and will spend the next two months seeking support for it, and if they don't get it, they are bent on bringing it to the next plenary meeting for its approval, even if only by one vote.

The independent growers also seek a solution which does not harm anyone's interests. Francisco Guerrero, president of Asevi-Asaja said that there is no solid base for the assertion that you can't age Fino in Sanlucar, when it has been allowed for the last 35 years since the implementation of the DO Manzanilla.

The president of Aecovi, Carmen Romero was pleased that the decision had been delayed, as the job of the Consejo is to benefit all, not to serve as a battleground for bodegas. "We must find unanimity or a good majority, or it will be bad for the trade, and worse for its image at a good time for sales. Let's be optimistic, and not seek out confrontations."