Ports, sherries and fortifieds get ready for Christmas

The tapas craze helped boost sherry sales temporarily but the category is now in decline, and Port is still struggling to shake its fusty and festive image. Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith look at how fortified wines can carve a niche

Jeremy Rockett leaves González Byass GB after 10 years

González Byass GB marketing director Jeremy Rockett has left the business after 10 years of service.

Sherry gains popularity in the US with younger drinkers

Tio Pepe sherry sign returns to Madrid skyline

Following a three year absence, the iconic Tio Pepe sign that dominated Madrid's Puerta del Sol skyline has been returned to its rooftop home.

?The Big Fortified Tasting to be held at the end of April

The Big Fortified Tasting (the b.f.t.), the single largest wine fair in the world which is solely dedicated to fortified wines, will be held on April 24, 2014, at the Church House Conference Centre, Westminster.

Why UK bars, restaurants and retailers are putting their faith in sherry in the UK

Douglas Blyde talks with 10 of the UK's most influential sherry opinion formers in the UK, including leading figures in on and off-trades, suppliers and importers, on how sherry is enjoying a new lease of life across the country

González Byass sees rapid growth in on-trade

González Byass is growing rapidly in the UK on-trade since taking on distribution for Champagne Deutz five months ago.

An Independent View of The Great Sherry Festival

My thoughts, opinions and reaction to The Great Sherry Festival.

Sandeman's WW2 sherry is returned home

A bottle of Sandeman Golden Oloroso Sherry from 1937 was returned home this week after spending more than 70 years in the US.

First Sherry Trail to be held in London this month

The Sherry Institute of Spain is to hold its first Sherry Trail in designated London bars from October 14-27. 

Port & Sherry Supplier Views

Views from: Jim Grierson, on-trade sales director, Maxxium UK (Harveys); Tony Brown MW, Boutinot (Wiese & Krohn Port); Anthony Habert, UK marketing manager, Sandeman Port; Mark Symonds, marketing controller, Port and Madeira, Fells (Symington Family Estates); Damian Carrington, sales and marketing director, Fields, Morris & Verdin (Lustau, Quinta de la Rosa); Jeremy Rockett, marketing director, González Byass; Jackie Brown, senior brand manager, Maisons, Marques et Domaines (Ramos Pinto); Andrew Hawes, managing director, Mentzendorff (Fladgate, Hidalgo).

Port & Sherry Buyer & Sommelier Views

Views from: Gyles Walker, wine buyer, Morrisons; Hal Wilson, managing director, Cambridge Wine Merchants; Rémi Cousin, assistant head sommelier, the Fat Duck; Andrea Briccarello, head sommelier, Galvin La Chapelle.

Douglas Blyde peruses the sherry list at Ametsa with Arzak Instruction

Meaning "dream" in Basque, "Ametsa" with Arzak Instruction opened two months ago in the site of what had arguably once been Europe's leading Thai restaurant - Nahm at The Halkin Hotel. Five employees made the crossover, joined by a full-time representative from Ametsa's triple-Michelin-starred Basque mothership, Arzak. Run by Juan Mari Arzak and daughter Elena, the latter maintained eighth position in Restaurant Magazine's World's 50 Best awards this year.

Fortified wines: brimming with potential

As Port shows its resilience, premium sherry is gaining new ground as Spanish cuisine becomes ever popular. Richard Woodard assesses the fortified market

Basset judge on sherry and food matching competition

UK sommelier and hotelier Gerard Basset OBE will be joining the judging panel of The Sherry Institute of Spain's bi-annual international food and sherry matching competition.

My Choice: Beth Willard, Wine buyer, Laithwaite's

My current top wine from Laithwaite's is our new Peña Garnacha 2010 from the home of Garnacha, Calatayud. This is rich, full bodied and completely over-delivers at £8.99.

How will you be changing your wine list this year?

As we go into 2013, we ask three industry sommeliers from Sketch, Coq d'Argent and Launceston Place how they'll be looking at changing their wine lists this year.

González Byass holds first Birmingham Sherry Summit

González Byass UK is holding its first Birmingham Sherry Summit on January 23 in a bid to help spread the growing sherry revival to the Midlands.

Chilean winery Undurraga switches distribution to Gonzalez Byass

Chilean winery Undurraga has switched agency from Moreno to Gonzalez Byass in the UK.

Consumers face massive price hikes for Christmas drinks

Consumers are facing a massive price hike for their average Christmas drinks shop if government proposals on minimum pricing go ahead, the Wine & Spirits Trade Association has warned.