14.4.16 Consejo Watching For BIB at Ferias

At last year’s Feria del Caballo in Jerez, Seprona, a division of the Civil Guard detected fake Manzanilla in BIB during their “operación resaca” (operation hangover!). The product was a poor imitation and its source was found and sealed off. But this year the trade has detected more fakes which illegally use the word “Manzanilla” or allude to the genuine article such as “MZ”.

"Even if it's wet and windy every day, I'm going to all the ferias in Andalucia! (Peri/diariojerez)

During the feria season, when sales of Fino and Manzanilla hit their peak, the fakers will be out in force and the trade faces two forms of fake: the sort mentioned already and the genuine Manzanilla in illegal BIB. The Consejo is worried and is alerting Feria-goers and those in charge of casetas to the risk, advising them only to buy wine in bottle and check it has a DO seal.

Casetas at the feria (foto:lalaviajar.com)

Until the Junta resolves the BIB situation it is still in legal limbo, while also awaiting a decision is the modification to the regulations approved by the Consejo, precisely to try to avoid this problem. However until the Junta comes up with a definitive decision, the BIBs will continue to be sold without DO seals and the Consejo will continue to denounce them.

7.1.16 Junta Allows BIB for Horeca

The technical services of the Junta de Andalucía’s Agriculture department have given a boost to the Manzanilla rebels by issuing a statement which, at least up to a point, supports their use of BIB. It says it is legal so long as the wine is destined for horeca (the hotel, restaurant, bar and catering trade) which is regarded as “direct” consumption, as the wine is used to make sauces etc. and not for sale by the glass (at least officially). The Consejo Regulador has asked for clarification on the matter, which hinges on whether sale to horeca is or is not direct consumption. It has the power to dictate which containers are used for the wines it represents, and currently it does not allow anything other than glass which must carry its official seals. The Consejo feels undermined by the Junta, which is not really helping to achieve a definitive solution to the problem.

27.11.15 Irene García Supports Sanlúcar

The president of the Junta in Cádiz and socialist ex-mayor of Sanlúcar, Irene García, who yesterday participated in the opening of the Scientific Symposium in celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the DO Jerez, was not shy in standing up for the Sanlúcar rebels among the big guns in Jerez.

Irene Garcia and Beltran Domecq at the Symposium (foto:diario jerez)

She made a spirited defence of the bodegas of her birthplace saying the Consejo should keep up with the times and that the BIB suits consumer preferences. The said that there was obviously a problem and that it should be addressed by “sustained, sincere and necessary dialogue. The Consejo cannot forget that Manzanilla forms a part of it.”

For his part, and after Wednesday’s resounding vote at the Consejo plenary with 17 votes in favour, 2 abstentions and 1 against prosecuting the rebels, Beltrán Domecq said “the rules must be obeyed, and if some small bodega decides to do things illegally in breach of the rules, we will not allow it.”

6.10.14 Manzanilla Should be Served from the Bottle

Ferejerez has asked the Consejo for a campaign to inform the consumer that genuine Manzanilla can only be served from the bottle. The Manzanilla producers are facing the dilemma of either selling their wines in bottle, as the Consejo insists, or losing its support by selling in other formats such as bag-in-box (BIB), whereby their wines would be disqualified from the Denominacion de Origen (DO).

Many producers have opted for the BIB, particularly for the catering trade, and especially for the ferias, mainly that of Sevilla, where some Sanlucar firms prefer to sell their wines without a DO just to maintain decent levels of sales and not lose clients. It is a widespread practice which, according to the Consejo, has now reached hundreds of thousands of litres, predominantly in spring.

Look at that flor!! (foto:descubrecostaballena.com)

Up till now the bodega has been free to choose, but some are not happy to renounce either the DO or the packaging. Fedejerez has denounced bodegas who are members of the Consejo and are selling ten litre BIB’s with the names "Sanlucar" and "Manzanilla" on the label, names which are protected under the DO. What’s more, these BIB’s are being sold at ridiculously low prices like 2 euros per litre which undermines the trend for increasing prices and thereby value.

Manzanilla can be sold in bulk – under Consejo supervision – but normally must be sold in bottle in which case it can mention those two words on the label: “Manzanilla de Sanlucar”. Fedejerez has reported this fraudulent practice to the Consejo so that it can take appropriate action, which could include sanctions such as removing the product in question from the market.

Evaristo Babe, Fedejerez president, said that it is necessary to inform the public in a positive and clear way that Manzanilla is only Manzanilla if it is in bottle with the seal of the Consejo Regulador. Anything else is to deceive the consumer which must be stopped to maintain the value of the DO, especially in this, its fiftieth anniversary.