5.10.14 Jerez Now has More than 600 Sherry Educators

The Consejo regulador has concluded the 2014 Courses for Sherry Educators. It is eleven years now, since the educational courses began, during which well over 500 top level professionals of more than 20 nationalities have received this prestigious title which they use regularly in their educational work.

The objective of the course is to promote the title to educators who are specialists in the wines of the region and who act in extension to the work of the Consejo in different markets, imparting rigorous quality education which develops knowledge and understanding of the value of these special wines.

In order to receive accreditation as Sherry educators, participants attend an intensive course over three days and must pass a theoretical as well as practical (blind tasting) exam. This October, twenty-five leading professionals such as sommeliers, oenologists, distributors and journalists from eight countries participated in the seminars.

Sherry Educators and trainers at Vina La Canariera (foto reporteros jerez)

Those aspiring to the title of Sherry Educator received practical and theoretical sessions designed to deepen their knowledge of the history of Sherry, the role of the Consejo Regulador, the types of Sherry, as well as the production and ageing methods, keeping and enjoying the wines of the region. The castle of San Marcos in El Puerto de Santa Maria, which belongs to Grupo Caballero played host to the session on history, there was a visit to Grupo Estevez' vinification plant, and lessons in running the soleras at Bodegas Tradicion.

Vina La Canariera, belonging to Gonzalez Byass, was the host to the practical class on grafting and pruning in the traditional "vara y pulgar" (finger and thumb) method. Later, once the exams had been passed, the Consejo president, Beltran Domecq and director Cesar Saldana presented the certificates, after which there was a magnificent celebratory dinner at bodegas Williams & Humbert.