Published: 14 January, 2026
Last January, leading alcohol retailer Majestic reported a 15% rise in fortified wine sales over the previous six weeks. The figure might seem positive for the category, yet sales data from the festive season – when Ports and sherries are traditionally enjoyed at celebratory gatherings – are notoriously misleading. In fact, the category has been experiencing a sustained decline in recent years. Sherry, for example, recorded its third consecutive year of falling sales globally in 2024, at around 24m litres, down from just under 32m litres in 2022 (Consejo Regulador for sherry). And Port has been following a similar trajectory, with 2024 marking its fourth year of global decline, from 124m litres in 2021 to just under 115m litres in 2024 (IVDP).
Read more...
|
Published: 03 November, 2025
For sherry aficionados in the trade, few achievements are more rewarding than transforming a geek-centric niche into a mainstream phenomenon. Yet while this remains a formidable challenge, a growing number of on-trade advocates are proving that, with the right positioning, storytelling and training, this venerable fortified category can drive both engagement and margins. So, what’s the secret? Step one, says sherry producer and importer González Byass, is to break down misconceptions and educate consumers about the category’s incredible versatility.
Read more...
Sommelier Zoé Donadio of Apricity (pictured, left) and chef Will Stoyle of Silo (pictured, right) were both awarded prizes at the 11th International Final of the Copa Jerez for their team UK entry. The overall win went to team Denmark, marking the Scandi nation’s fourth triumph at the event.
Read more...
Published: 07 April, 2025
González Byass, the leading sherry producer, has invested €3.1 million into environmental projects during the company’s 2023-24 fiscal year (September 2023 – August 2024). The producer also revealed that 68% of its vineyards are now certified sustainable, revealed as part of its 2023-2024 Sustainability Report.
Read more...
Published: 28 October, 2024
Ellie Scott looks at how sherry’s evolving legislation, style and focus on terroir is impacting category perception in the UK.
Read more...
You have to hand it to Moorish architects – they know a thing or two about keeping cool in the heat. And keeping a lid on the extremes of an Andalucian summer is essential to retaining flor.
Read more...
The search is on for UK sommelier and chef teams to compete in the 2024 UK finals of Copa Jerez and win their place to represent Britain at the prestigious international culinary competition in Spain next year.
Read more...
Published: 03 November, 2023
Founder of the award-winning 44 Group of tapas restaurants, bars and a hotel, self-confessed sherry fanatic Owen Morgan gives his pointers on how to take the category forward.
Read more...
Published: 04 August, 2023
Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Owen Morgan, owner of the Bar 44 tapas group, to find out how the year has gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.
Read more...
Dry sherries are being thrust into the spotlight this year, with the launch of a new campaign focusing on Jerez’s steeliest iterations.
Read more...
Published: 04 January, 2023
In 2023, the international Tío Pepe Challenge, the world’s largest Sherry cocktail competition, celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is now open for entries from UK bartenders on the theme, ‘Twist Your Classic’.
Read more...
Published: 25 November, 2022
November and December is the time when fortifieds come out to play. At least, they do in the press. Probably 90% of port and sherry’s column inches occur in the month before Christmas.
Read more...
Published: 11 February, 2022
Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.
Read more...
Published: 03 February, 2022
After a two year break due to the pandemic, Gonzalez Byass is once again hosting the world’s largest international sherry cocktail competition.
Read more...
Published: 25 November, 2021
Leading Rioja winery CVNE will release a small volume of its 'new' white Rioja, Monopole Clasico Gran Reserva 2015, in 2022.
Read more...
Published: 19 November, 2021
With some 1,755 tastings, split 50:50 between physical and virtual events, International Sherry Week (8-14 Nov) drew in participants from some 27 countries this year, being the biggest global celebration of the region’s wines.
Read more...
Published: 08 November, 2021
In Association With Gonzalez Byass
Read more...
Published: 23 September, 2021
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.
Read more...
Sommelier Mattia Mazzi and Chef Vincenzo Raffone, representing The River Café in London, stormed to victory at the UK heat of Copa Jerez.
Read more...
Three chef and sommelier teams have been chosen to attend the UK final for Copa Jerez in London later this month.
Read more...
