8.6.16 Mildew Likely to Reduce Harvest; Fiesta de la Vendimia

The rain in May followed by hot sunshine has provided the perfect conditions for mildew and it is a very serious outbreak. Some small vineyards have completely succumbed, especially coastal ones where there is more humidity, and some fear losses of 50-70% around Sanlúcar, 30-60% around Trebujena and 50% around Chipiona. Worse still, it is spreading towards vineyards further inland where 15-30% of vineyard is affected. Those who don’t have crop insurance are being encouraged to contract it.

A flooded vineyard (foto:miguelangelgonzalez/diario jerez)

According to Francisco Guerrero, president of the independent growers, one factor is the lack of treatment or insufficient treatment of the vines due to a lack of financial resources resulting from the difficulties of the cooperatives to whom they sell their grapes. “In a dry year people can get away with the minimum of treatment and the heavy rains took them by surprise. “ Once the mildew has spread it is more difficult to treat, and its effects could reduce next year’s harvest as well. He feels, however, that it is still too early to predict harvest losses accurately. Vines are not the only plants affected; mildew also attacks tomatoes, potatoes and onions, also important industries.

Mildew in all its ugliness (foto:lavozdigital)

The Fiesta de la Vendimia with its famous treading of the grapes on the Cathedral steps will take place on 6^th September, two days earlier than last year. From the 8^th till the 10^th there will be a great Sherry tasting “De Copa en Copa” hosted by bodegas at the Claustros de Santo Domingo at which there will also be tapas. Another top event, the Catas Magistrales will take place on the 8,9,10 and the 15,16,17 September. Each event will be hosted by a bodega and there will be food matching with the Sherry.

10.9.15 It's All Happening in Jerez!

De Copa en Copa starts today at 20.30 in the Claustros de Santo Domingo in Jerez and runs till Saturday. It is a wonderful opportunity to taste a huge range of Sherries as no fewer than 16 bodegas are taking part. They are Diez Mérito,  Estévez, Delgado Zuleta, Grant, Gutiérrez Colosía, Wiiliams & Humbert, Garvey, Coop Las Angustias, César Florido, Harveys, Faustino González, González Byass, Barón, Álvaro Domecq, Sánchez Romate and Dios Baco. Entry is free but there are various tasting tickets at various very reasonable prices.

Los Claustros de Santo Domingo

Also starting today and running till Saturday is the II Feria ConVinoJerez featuring cocktails based on Sherry. This is in the Plaza Canterbury and runs from 20.00 till late with drinks priced at €2.50. There will be live music, some bodegas will have stands, and an exhibition of photographs of winemaking by Mariano Cano. Tonight it is the turn of Williams & Humbert to hold the Cata Magistral at the Alcázar which will be led by their oenologist Paola Medina.

If that were not enough, there are visits organised to the La Mezquita bodega, Bodegas Tradición and Cortijo de la Jara. Then there are guided cycle tours of the historic centre of Jerez or all-terrain vehicle tours of the countryside, the Ruta de los Tabancos de Jerez y la Vendimia, and a tour of the traditional bodegas Cayetano del Pino.