9.3.16 Gold for Delgado Zuleta

Manzanilla La Goya and Amontillado VORS Quo Vadis have both won a Medalla Gran Oro at the Premios AkataVino. This international competition is unusual as only wines which have scored over 90 points in the Guia Xtreme are invited to participate, so only the 180 best Spanish wines could enter. It is about the best of the best. All 3,000 wines were tasted blind twice by a panel of experts.

18.6.15 Ruiz Mateos Jailed; Harley Heaven; Jerez, Culrura y Vino; Ruta Website; La Goya Cocktails

José María Ruis Mateos, founder of Rumasa and Nueva Rumasa has been jailed by surprise in Madrid for defrauding Hacienda (the Spanish Inland Revenue). It was felt that because of his age (84) and physical and mental condition he was no longer able to serve the 3 year sentence, but he was submitted to tests and deemed capable. Sending someone to jail at this advanced age is extremely unusual, and his daughter Patricia had to rush to the jail with his armoury of medications.

This weekend sees the arrival of some 10,000 Harley Davidsons in the Marco de Jerez for the annual rally of worldwide Harley clubs. The event coincides with the Carrera de las Leyendas (Race of the legends) at the Jerez circuit. Trouble is not expected, but the main problem is where so many people are going to sleep.

Typical Harley rider (foto:lavozdigital)

The Consejo Regulador is tonight hosting the presentation of the book “Jerez, Cultura y Vino” published by Peripecias Libros which consists of the collected talks given by various experts on Sherry and its culture in celebration of Jerez Ciudad del Vino 2014. Subjects cover wine, architecture, history, poetry, art, archaeology and more.

Tomorrow there will be a presentation at the Consejo Regulador of the new Ruta del Vino y Brandy de Jerez website and promotional video developed as part of the “Vivejerez” project financed by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. www.rutadeljerezybrandy.es is now live and offers visitors the chance to organise their tours and create made-to-measure tours as well as book them.

Delgado Zuleta has celebrated the V Manzanilla La Goya Cocktail Competition at the Hotel and catering school of Sanlúcar. 27 current and past students competed and the winners will be presented with their prizes at the bodega on Monday. The winning cocktail was:

Cocktail Al-Andalus by Nazaret Marín Gómez

3cl La Goya, 4cl banana liqueur, 2cl mandarin liqueur, 4cl alcohol free passion fruit liqueur and 1.5cl lemon juice

Manzanilla La Goya 15%, Delgado Zuleta

Appearance

Bright strawy gold, light legs.

Nose 

Moderately intense and marine with hints of salinity, flor and dried flowers with a trace of bitter almond and cabezuela showing through. A classic Manzanilla nose with a trace of wildness, but just on the elegant side of that.

Palate

Fairly intensely flavoured, dry with that delightful bitterness from the yeast, hints of nuts and traces of butter from the autolysis giving it depth, and a moderate acidity giving it zing and length. This is thoroughbred Manzanilla and has a strong capacity to make you want more.

Comments

Named after a famous singer, Aurorita Jaufre, nicknamed La Goya, and who loved this wine, the brand name goes back to 1918 when she gave permission for her name to be used. The wine, which is aged through 7 "clases" or scales is at least 6 years old, about enough to call itself Manzanilla Pasada, and certainly showing signs of intent. In fact in Spain it is labelled "Manzanilla Pasada" but just "Manzanilla"  for the export markets. Delgado Zuleta is the oldest firm in Sanlucar still trading, going back to 1744. La Goya was the Sherry served to their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias on the occasion of their wedding banquet on the 22nd May 2004. They are now, of course King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. In 2018, to celebrate the centenary of the brand, a smart new label was introduced.

Price

£7.00 (half bottle) from Vino, Edinburgh. Whole range available at Borough Wines, London.