13.1.16 González Byass Tweaks Packaging; Fedejerez Wants End to BIB; Magellan Ship

Viña AB, Nectar, Alfonso and Leonor are getting a facelift. In this smart new presentation the red capsule denotes a dry wine and the black a sweet one, and Tio Pepe appears in gold at the bottom.

“A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” This expression was used by Fedejerez in reference to the BIB Manzanilla producers and their repeated claim to represent Manzanilla. Following the publication of the manifesto signed by the members of the Association of Artisan Bodegas of Sanlúcar “in defence of Manzanilla and the wine producing traditions of Sanlúcar,” in which they demand more decision making power in the Consejo and ring fencing of the commercialisation of bulk wines, Fedejerez president, Evaristo Babé, underlined that their claim to represent Manzanilla is “completely false” given that their sales represent a minimal percentage of total Manzanilla sales. He insisted on the need to avoid the “manipulation” on the part of the rebels, who account for barely 20% of Manzanilla sales, and thus could not be said to represent its interests.

The rebels have initiated a campaign to collect signatures of support which is seen as one more step by them in the open conflict to get recognition for BIB, a container prohibited by the DO. At the end of summer at a full Consejo meeting, Fedejerez proposed that 100% of DO wine be bottled and bulk sales banned, with the possible exception of small garrafas for domestic use. The rebels, on the other hand want to see BIB as the principal means of supply to bars, restaurants and despachos. Fedejerez will revive its proposal at forthcoming Consejo plenaries at which the rebels are seeking equality or if that is not possible, an independent plenary. Babé insists on getting rid of BIB to protect the quality of wine sold in bars and restaurants and create better value. “Things need to change; it can’t go on like this” he said.

A replica of the first ship to circumnavigate the globe is berthed at Bonanza near Sanlúcar. The Nao Victoria was the only survivor of five ships which set out from Sanlúcar in 1519, under the command of Ferdinand Magellan, to find a new spice route. After many vicissitudes, Victoria returned in 1522 captained by Juan Sebastian Elcano. Big celebrations are planned for 2019, the 500^th anniversary. The ship can be seen for a week starting today, and there will be an exhibition on board. For further information contact www.fundacionnaovictoria.org

I have been on board this ship, and wondered how such a small ship could possibly circumnavigate the globe. It is a real testament to the sailors and their courage. They did have plenty of Sherry with them, so maybe that's how!

28.5.13 Sanlucar Threatens War over Fino/Manzanilla Proposal

Pladevi (Plataforma de defensa de la vina - a growers' association) has joined in the fray against the Fedejerez proposal to limit the ageing of Fino to Jerez and El Puerto.

The Consejo will debate the polemic issue at a meeting on Tuesday, but meanwhile Pladevi has expressed its disapproval in a communique which threatens legal action. "We are convinced this is a bad idea, but if it were adopted, we are prepared to resort to the law to stop business interests putting themselves before those of the people," said Pladevi president Francisco Yuste in the communique.

The Sanluquenos insist in their call to the Junta de Andalucia and the town councils of affected areas that they do what they can to prevent the proposal from being adopted, since it would "endanger the economy of the Sherry zone and some of its population," according to the communique, in which it is noted that Fedejerez had tried to restrict Fino production in Sanlucar three years ago, provoking a schism resulting in the Manzanilla producers' group Arjeman to leave the DO and found Vinateros de Sanlucar.

On that occasion, it was agreed to place a moratorium on the matter and create a technical commission to investigate, and it reported back in 2011 with the conclusion that there were no technical or organoleptic criteria to differentiate Fino and Manzanilla. Now that the moratorium is over and the technical report received, Fedejerez wants to get on with its prohibition of the simultaneous production of Fino and Manzanilla in Sanlucar and preserve the DO Manzanilla, signed into European law in the mid 1960's.