6.9.16 La Pisa de la Uva 2016; Japanese Visitor

The most important and emblematic ceremony of the Fiestas de la Vendimia takes place today at 20.00 on the steps of the Cathedral, the building of which was paid for by a levy on wine. It is the traditional treading of the grapes symbolising the birth of the new wine. The event begins with the arrival of a group of young “harvesters” bearing baskets of grapes which they tip into the lagar. Here men who work for the Consejo Regulador will get to work rhythmically treading the grapes, supported by wooden spades. The juice flows from the spout of the lagar into jarras (jugs) which are duly poured into a couple of butts below. All this takes place to the sound of the municipal band playing the Harvest Hymn and the cathedral bells, while the Bishop of Jerez blesses the new must. It will be hot work; yesterday the temperature reached almost 45ᴼ and today will be about 38ᴼ (the all- time record is 45.1ᴼ from 2003). After fermentation the wine will go to the Consejo bodega San Ginés.

Japanese cocktail bartender, certified venenciador and owner of Cádiz Bar in Tokyo, Masaru Yokota, is visiting Jerez for the Vendimia celebrations in an intense tour organised by Tomoko Kimura, Jerez’ own Japanese Sherry expert. He has been demonstrating his bartending skills with Sherry and Jerez Brandy cocktails, his venencia skills at Lustau, picking grapes and tasting wines at bodegas La Gitana, Gutiérrez Colosía, Faustino González, Caballero, Diez Mérito and at the Consejo. Masaru has done much to promote the products of Jerez in Japan.

9.9.15 Treading of the Grapes

The traditional treading of the grapes took place yesterday in Jerez as part of the Fiesta de la Vendimia celebrations and those of the Consejo’s 80th anniversary.  The event took place at the façade of the cathedral where the municipal band played and the Dean of the cathedral blessed the grapes in the name of San Ginés de la Jara, patron saint of vintners. Council dignitaries were present as were those of the Consejo.

Harvesters lined up with their baskets of grapes which they poured into the lagar where four men wearing “zapatos de pisar” (boots with nail-studded soles) began the age-old process of treading 1,000 kilos of Palomino. After about 15 minutes the lagar’s tap is opened and the juice runs into jarras (bodega jugs), through a sieve and into a butt. It takes an hour and a half of constant treading, back and forth to complete the exhausting job. The resulting wine goes to the Consejo’s own bodega San Ginés.

News from Jerez 18.9.12

Beam Global offer last of this year's Alcazar tastings

The final of the Great Tastings held in the Alcazar of Jerez as part of the Fiestas de la Vendimia was sponsored by Beam Global, owners of Harveys and Terry. The enologist, Manuel Jose Valcarcel, showed various of their wines married with food to very happy diners.

Harveys win top prize

Harveys Fine Old Amontillado VORS won the Champion Award trophy at the recent IWC (International Wine Challenge) in London. More than 1,000 wines had been entered, and this wine also won the Sherry trophy and the Amontillado trophy. Antonio Jose Souto, director of Beam Bodegas said that Harveys had a wonderful range of wines and that they won trophies every year. Their enologist Manuel Jose Valcarcel has 28 years of experience.

News from Jerez 13.9.12

Muestra Gastronomica

One of the central streets of Jerez, the Alameda Vieja, came alive last night in celebration of the Harvest Festival with forty stalls serving local dishes in the second annual Muestra Gastronomica. The stalls will be open from 8.00 in the afternoon till 1 am until the 16^th, and have already attracted crowds of people. The idea is to offer a tapa and a drink for only 2.50 euros, and many stalls are also selling local produce.

Bodegas Barbadillo

The Sanlucar bodega has finished its harvest satisfied that while the shortfall in yield was about 20%, the quality was excellent Quite a lot of red grapes were harvested as well as the white in order to produce Barbadillo’s new red wine, the Gibalbin with 8 months crianza. The sin crianza Gibalbin has been produced successfully since 2008, and the crianza wine has only been produced since last year. Is is made with  Tempranillo, Merlot and Tintilla de Rota grapes.

Copa Jerez

The international food matching competition Copa Jerez .offering chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs from all corners of the world the opportunity to show off their talent, has begun.  After a first national round to decide who will represent their countries. The international final will be held in Madrid in November. All that is required is to present a menu which matches perfectly  the wines of Jerez.