23.4.16 Jerez Moto GP; BIB Controversy

Jerez is bursting at the seams with bikers and motor bikes here for this weekend’s Moto GP, the 30^th to be held at the Jerez Circuito de Velocidad. It is an incredible sight and will do no harm to the city’s coffers. Of the first ten places, Spanish riders occupy seven, so the locals are all fired up as well. Ex-king Juan Carlos arrived in Jerez yesterday for the event – but not on a motor bike.

Meanwhile Carmelo Ezpeleta, director of Dorna the company which organises the World Championship, paid a visit to González Byass and was guided by the firm’s president, Mauricio González Gordon, and Pedro Rebuelta, vice president. Signing a butt Ezpeleta remarked that while Jerez has been famous forever for Sherry, it is gaining fame for the Moto GP as well. He said he was honoured to be signing a butt at González Byass alongside other butts signed by motorcycle racing legends like Ángel Nieto, Giacomo Agostini and Jorge Lorenzo.

(foto:diariojerez)

The BIB polemic is hotting up again, and today’s Diario de Jerez says that it will continue until the Junta stops looking the other way and pronounces on the question once and for all. The majority of bodegas are against BIB either for sale to the public or to the trade and thus the Consejo refuses to issue suitable precintas, while the manzanilleros feel they have the Junta’s support for sale to the trade but are forced to use precintas issued for garrafas, a practice which is not permitted.

Fernando López Gil of the Junta says it is in touch with both sides, but the interlocutor is the Consejo, and an administrative solution will take time and would be better after the Consejo elections scheduled for the middle of June. Until such time, the manzanilleros are frustrated by the Consejo’s refusal to issue precintas for containers they see as legal. Both sides wish the Junta would take decisive action.

5.5.14 Vinoble; Julian Jeffs; Feria de Sevilla; Moto GP Jerez

The VIII edition of the fortified and sweet wine fair Vinoble which takes place in the Alcazar of Jerez between the 25^th and 27^th May looks to be excellent. There will be 700 of the world’s best wines from 13 countries and 20 international wine producing regions being shown at 46 stands. There will be a further 10 stands devoted to Gastrovinoble which will involve internationally renowned and Michelin-starred chefs. No fewer than 12 Masters of Wine will be present, along with many experts from the producers themselves.

The programme for the event has just been released and includes many tastings, including one on Amontillado by Tim Atkin and Jesus Barquin; Vintage Palos Cortados; Flor, Solera y Caliza; and many others on wines beyond Sherry. There will also be Flamenco. This has to be the best event in the world!

Julian Jeffs, author of one of the best books on the subject of Sherry, is in Jerez preparing for the sixth, revised and expanded edition of his book “Sherry”. Originally published in English in 1961, the book is a marvellous, well-written volume, essential in the library of any Sherry lover. Every ten years or so he revises it, and it would be well worth obtaining an updated copy. Unfortunately the Spanish version which appeared in 1992 has never been updated.

The Feria of Seville, the first major Feria of the season, began today. It is expected that 1.2 million half bottles of Sherry will be consumed in Seville, and that over the whole Feria season, which ends in mid-August, some 12 million will have been sold. This constitutes about 36% of total annual sales in Spain. Why half bottles? Simple. Because they are consumed before they warm up too much! The Consejo Regulador is advising people to check that the guarantee seals are correct, as these occasions can produce some “unofficial” bottles.

Ham and Manzanilla, fare of the Fair (Foto CR Vinos de Jerez)

 Jerez has been playing host over the weekend to around 50,000 motorcyclists who came to watch the Jerez Grand Prix. Despite the numbers, there has been no reported trouble, and a good time was had by all. There were exhibitions of classic old bikes as well as the serious racing. Hotels were at capacity, and Jerez was congratulated on its organisation of the events. Best of all, the Spanish riders showed everyone the way!