Bodegas Tio Pepe
is the first bodega in Jerez to be awarded the “Q Certification” for quality as
a tourist venue. The Instituto para la Calidad Turistica de España (ICTE) made
the award, which is endorsed by the secretary of state for tourism and the
autonomous communities. The ICTE is there to promote, find and organise quality
tourism in Spain. This means constant attention to various factors, such as accessibility,
management of resources and care for the environment. The certificate thus guarantees
quality in touristic establishments. The
award of the certificate to Bodegas Tio Pepe makes it the leading tourist
attraction in Jerez with around 250,000 visitors per year (30,000 British) –
the most visited bodega in Spain.
The Consejo Regulador
thinks it is time to think about the “revaluation” of Sherry. Now that the balance
of supply and demand is satisfactory – at least for the moment -after years of
over-production and ever falling prices, the hitherto unthinkable prospect of
actually raising prices is on the horizon.
At yesterday’s last Consejo meeting before the harvest, it
was felt that this might be a possibility, providing, in the words of Cesar
Saldaña “that producers and bodegas plan the immediate future well. We’re not
going to go mad planting more vineyards but we will seek to control the
reduction of wine stocks in bodegas.”
Forecasts for this year’s harvest show a 30% increase on
last year’s very small crop giving a total of 68,000 butts of qualified must,
as opposed to last year’s 51,392. Actual sales are 82,000 butts – 2,000 more if
you include vinegar – so this harvest will leave the trade short by some 14,000
butts. For the 2014 harvest there will be more vineyard in production, since
527 hectares which had been set aside for experimenting with other products
have been allowed back to Sherry production. Taking this into account, 2014
could yield 77,000 butts, which calculated with wine already in bodega, means
sufficient supply for four years.
There is an opportunity here to revalue vineyard and wine,
and everyone should give it some thought and not miss the opportunity. Both
Cesar Saldaña and Beltran Domecq underlined the quality of the grapes this
year, which are recuperating from reduced phenol levels caused by abundant spring
rain and variable temperatures. A very good quality harvest is expected.
The matter of Chiclana wine being sold in bulk, and the
Fino-Manzanilla question have been shelved for the time being, provided that
the situation does not go on for ever.
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