Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Famous visitors to bodegas


A lovely article in today’s Diario de Jerez about famous people visiting bodegas

In 1862 Queen Isabel II decided she would like to know how Sherry was made. A visit was arranged to Gonzalez Byass, but in the days before trains the journey took some time and she arrived long after the harvest. This was no problem for Manuel Maria Gonzalez, who went out to the vineyards and managed to buy enough unpicked grapes (the growers kept them back for eating) to make 3 butts of mosto (new wine), which he was able to offer to her Majesty.

At Domecq, Paco Perez was in charge of the visit of JFK’s daughter Caroline. He pulled out all the stops for such a VIP and showed her everything from the vineyard to the finished wine. After more than two hours, he asked her what she would like to drink. “Do you have any Coca Cola?” was the reply.

Ian Fleming and Roger Moore preferred whisky, but Orson Wells liked Tio Pepe - though he went on to promote Domecq’s Double Century in the USA.

Jose Carreras was out of sorts when he visited Jerez, as he was suffering from advanced Leukemia, yet when he appeared with make-up on stage at the Teatro Villamarta he looked well. After the show, a lady whose son was crying and also had Leukemia asked if her son could meet Carreras. After 10 minutes the son came out with him, both smiling.

These are just some of the anecdotes.

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