11.8.14 Various Items of News

The cork harvest has begun in Andalucia, including in the Montes de Propio near Jerez. Total Andaluz production of around 3 million kilos of cork will provide temporary work for some 129,000 people. In the Montes de Propio, cork generates a fundamental economic base for the area, with a production of 650,000 kilos generating some 900,000 euros. Andalucia is the world’s second largest cork producer with 15% behind Portugal with 61%. Cork can only be harvested every 9 years or so, so this is not exactly a full time job, yet it requires skills with an axe.

(foto: +Jerez)

Famous bullfighter Fran Rivero and chef Jose Andres visited the bodegas of Luis Caballero in El Puerto de Santa Maria after the bullfight, where they were offered a glass of Sherry and the traditional opportunity to sign a butt.

(Fran Rivero 3rd left and Jose Andres 2nd right foto: +Jerez)

Jerez now has a tourist bus which takes visitors on a sightseeing trip round the city. The 45 minute tour takes in the Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Chuch of San Miguel, the Cloisters of San Domingo and various bodegas. There are 9 strategically positioned stops, and people can get on or off where they like. The service is run by City Sightseeing, an international company.

Jerez sightseeing bus (foto lavozdigital)

The XLVII Fiesta de la Buleria will be celebrated on the 6th of September at the Jerez bullring and will pay homage to the great Jerezano cantaor (Flamenco singer) Juan Moneo “El Torta”, a wonderful interpreter of the local Buleria, who died last year. There will be a fantastic bill with many top cantaores. Not to be missed if you are in Jerez.

(Juan Moneo Lara "El Torta" foto lavozdigital)

Sherry Vinegar is selling very well. While the first semester of 2014 has shown a 5% decline in sales of Sherry, vinegar has increased growth by 25%. Sales for the period were 2.4 million litres, a record, and much of the increase was in Spain.

23.6.13 Cork Harvest; Adriano; Luna de San Juan

The cork extraction season has begun in the Montes de Propio near Jerez.  The production of cork provides a fundamental economic base with a yield of 650,000 kilos of cork, which gives an economic yield of 900,000 euros.

Cork oaks (alcornoques) can only be stripped every 9 or 10 years, and the season begins on the 1^st of June. It is highly specialised and skilful work done by men using axes who cut the bark without damaging the tree, which is not easy. They are casual workers nonetheless, as the work is not available often. The cork stripping work follows previous work to clean up the hillsides from tree detritus, which not only gives the workers room to move easily, but helps to prevent forest fires.

The lengths of bark are loaded onto mules for transport to the yard, and from there, by lorry, to the factory. Here, the cork goes through an industrial process to produce wine bottle corks. The Montes de Propio were a gift to Jerez from Alfonso X “El Sabio” (the wise) in the XIII century, and comprise a number of fincas totalling 7,200 hectares in the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. You drive through this lovely natural park when you approach Jerez from the south.

Adriano, the boat which takes people across the mouth of the Guadalete at El Puerto and the Bay of Cadiz, which sank at the quayside in Cadiz in 2011, is nearing completion of repairs. She should be ready at the end of the summer, 500,000 euros having been spent on her. While ashore, she will undergo some modifications to make her more of a tourist attraction, such as various salons for receptions, a bar and space for souvenir shops.

 La Luna de San Juan took place last night in the old part of Jerez. It takes place every year at ten o’clock on midsummer night until late, and is a fantastic festival of flamenco. San Mateo, La Cruz Vieja, Santiago and the Plaza de la Asuncion were the venues, and there were almost as many flamenco artists as members of the public and tourists enjoying the rythms on a decently warm night. The only downside was that many performances were taking place at the same time, something which needs to be addressed.

The Noche de San Juan is a christianisation of an old pagan midsummer solstice festival where it is traditional to burn fires. La Luna de San Juan is simply a flamenco festival which takes place on the same date.