9.8.13 Consejo Agreement with Cadiz University; Harvest; GB Buys US Distributor

An important agreement has been signed between the Consejo Regulador, The University of Cadiz (UCA) and the Andalusian Industrial Heritage Foundation (FUPIA) to collaborate in the development of training and educational activities, aimed at raising awareness of the viticultural heritage of Jerez. The agreement complements others with a similar aim, which have been developed by UCA, either through the Andalusian Centre of Viticultural Research (CAIV) or through the development of specific courses such as the degree in oenology (the only one in Andalucia,) and the Master’s Degree in Viticultural Practices in Warm Climates.

As a long-established industry, wine making in Jerez has a unique heritage which should be preserved and promoted through training, educational, touristic and investigative activities. Consejo president, Beltran Domecq, was delighted with the agreement as it covers the entire Sherry process.

(Imagen CRDO)

 The harvesting machines are being fired up already in the Gibalbin area near Arcos. Some inland vineyard areas are a week ahead of the coastal areas in terms of ripeness, and need to be picked now. If the weather stays as it is, the Sherry harvest as a whole will probably start around the 20^th, when the sugar levels should reach the required 10.5 Beaume. That said, the harvest for other types of wine is already underway. Many bodegas also make table wine, for which the grapes need to be picked earlier.

In the lagares (vineyard winemaking facilities), the “pie de cuba” (starter fermentations) are being prepared, so that when the main crop comes in it will ferment without complications. This year the weather has been much better than last year, when extended drought drastically reduced the crop. This year rainfall has been good – 650-800 litres/square metre, and the harvest yield should be normal.

(Imagen Diario Jerez)

 Gonzalez Byass has bought a distributor in the United States. Vin Divino deals with wines from Chile, Italy and Austria, to which will now be added wines from Spain. The US is the world’s largest wine market in terms of both quantity and value, and has seen a 30% increase in sales of Sherry, and is the 5^th largest importer of it. GB will also be selling its other wines from Somontano, Rioja, Castilla, Cadiz and Penedes.

Junta Postpones Fino/Manzanilla Question

The Junta de Andalucia has recommended the Consejo Regulador to shelve the contentious question of whether Fino can be produced in Sanlucar. Without wishing to get involved in the minutiae of the question, the secretary general for agriculture, Judith Anda Ugarte, said that it was better to complete the matters already in hand - modifications to the Reglamento, which are now awaiting approval by Brussels – before starting on any others.

Fedejerez, whose proposal it was, were frustrated at the last plenary at the Consejo, when the vote was postponed till July in order to allow more time for dialogue. The Manzanilla producers felt they were to be deprived of a long standing right, though it should be borne in mind that the Jerez and Puerto Santa Maria bodegas had once to give up their right to make Manzanilla in Sanlucar. Nonetheless, the Manzanilleros are prepared to go to court over the issue.

News from Jerez 13.8.12

The first semester of 2012 has brought the unwelcome news that Sherry sales in Germany, the 3rd biggest export market, have plummeted by 32 % (2.4m litres down to 1.6m litres).  This wipes out the slight growth in markets such as the UK, the biggest export market at @ 4m litres - up 1%), Holland (up 4% to 3.5m litres) and Japan, up 10%. So sales are down on aggregate by about 5%.

Sherry is an export wine with well over 60% going abroad. The Spanish market is about 35% or 6.5m litres - down 1%, with sales in Europe accounting for some 60%. Many feel that the market has bottomed out and that sales can only grow, especially since the recent uprooting of vineyards has supposedly brought supply and demand into balance. We can only hope so.

Other news:
The King, Don Juan Carlos was in Puerto de Santa Maria the other day to celebrate a bullfight on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of La Pepa (the Cadiz Constitution of 1812). Security was tight. In case he fell?

More:
Antonio Fernandez, ex President of the CRDO Jerez, in custody for involvement in the ERE scandal, has been released on payment of 450,000 euros in bail. He is one of about 60 people involved. While this had nothing to do with his CRDO duties, he resigned, and has been replaced by Beltran Domecq.

Sherry Institute Tasting London 17.9.12

Sherry lovers will be delighted that Beltran Domecq, new President of the CRDO Jerez will attend this fantastic tasting in central London. Such a tasting will give a real fillip to the slowly emerging renaissance of Sherry here in the UK - so long as you live near London. It promises to showcase the biggest range of Sherries ever presented at a tasting, as well as promoting the "en rama" style Finos and Manzanillas.

With a dramatically squeezed budget the Institute and its director, Graham Hines, do fantastic work, mainly from sheer dedication to and love of Sherry. But could the budget not accommodate a tasting in Scotland too? Are the bodegas not chipping in for the tasting? It costs us north of the border a fortune to get to and fro London, with the almost inevitable overnight stay. It will cost me much the same to go to Jerez itself.

Many others already do two tastings; Australia and New Zealand are only two examples, but then their budget is probably much bigger. Hey ho.