Long Read: What to do about fortified wines' straitened market?

Jacopo Mazzeo looks at what regions such as the Douro and Jerez are doing to survive in a market increasingly hostile to fortified wines and explores whether these efforts are effective. Port, for instance, is heading in two diametrically opposed directions: simplification and (extra) premiumisation, with new categories that span from youth-friendly RTDs to Tawny 50yo and White 50yo. Sherry meanwhile, has just changed a number of its regulations and now embraces unfortified wine.

Copa Jerez announces 2021 UK winners

Sommelier Mattia Mazzi and Chef Vincenzo Raffone, representing The River Café in London, stormed to victory at the UK heat of Copa Jerez.

UK Copa Jerez finalists revealed

Three chef and sommelier teams have been chosen to attend the UK final for Copa Jerez in London later this month. 

International Sherry Week and Copa Jerez align for autumn celebration

International Sherry Week will this year coincide with the biannual food and wine focused Copa Jerez competition during November.

Soaring sherry sales prop up Tio Pepe’s 12th release

All-star judging line up for Copa Jerez 2021 revealed

Sherry’s flagship culinary competition has announced the judges for this year’s edition, with Sarah Jane Evans MW, Matthieu Longuere MS, and Anna Haugh all due to appear in this year’s prestigious hot seat.

Five minutes with Owen Morgan, Bar 44

Bar 44 Group’s co-owner and self-confessed sherry nut Owen Morgan talks Andrew Catchpole through launching Manzanilla 44 with Bodegas Barón and generally advancing the cause.

Bancroft adds Bodegas Emilio Lustau sherries

Bancroft Wines has added the sherries from renowned sherry producer Bodegas Emilio Lustau to its growing portfolio. 

Majestic pinpoints Beaujolais as ‘unexpected hit’ of 2020

Majestic has pinpointed Beaujolais as “one of the unexpected hits” of 2020.

Sherry champions add zing with own Manzanilla

Long known for their passionate support of sherry, 44 Group founders the Morgan brothers have gone a step further and launched their own Manzanilla.

Tío Pepe opens first Sherry hotel

Historic Sherry brand Tío Pepe is adding a new page to its story with the launch of a boutique hotel within the grounds of the González Byass winery.

Bodegas Hidalgo releases latest en rama

Bodegas Hidalgo has announced the spring 2020 release of its La Gitana En Rama Manzanilla sherry in the UK.

Gonzalez Byass launches new UK Manzanilla

Gonzalez Byass is to release a new Domecq Manzanilla in the UK made at Delgado Zuleta in Andalucia’s Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Tim Atkin MW: Sherry deserves applause

TIM ATKIN MW

Sherry and the pacemakers

Young drinkers have shunned Sherry for years, writes Andrew Catchpole. But premium styles are winning them over.

Bibendum’s tasting with a twist is the "confidence boost" the company needed

Bibendum’s latest event lived up to its promise of being “Not another bl**dy tasting” on Monday evening, with a music, food and wine-loving crowd that packed out The Steel Yard to the top of its brick arches.

González Byass UK MD says first Tio Pepe En Rama was “a risk”

Tio Pepe is celebrating ten years of shaking up moribund sherry sales with its en rama or ‘raw’ sherries, which established a new category in the UK.

Ten years of Tio Pepe En Rama

A decade ago, González Byass UK managed to shake up a moribund sherry category with Tio Pepe En Rama. Jo Gilbert dissects its success

B.f.t plays hardball with visitors via individual vetting process

Visitors to yesterday’s Big Fortified Tasting would have all undergone a basic background checks, Harpers has learned.

Amathus Drinks adds Bodegas Argüeso to portfolio

Amathus Drinks has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of sherry producer Bodegas Argüeso.