Even the most seasoned Sherry taster would struggle to navigate all the wines at this year's Great Sherry Tasting. So, if you want the low-down on what to look out for, what's new and who's attending, read on. This is our fast-track guide of what not to miss.
Masterclasses will, once again, be a main feature of the event. Three very different sessions have been planned, each with a different audience in mind.
Masterclass programme
11.30am - 12.30pm Becoming a Sherry Sommelier ** FULLY BOOKED - WAITING LIST ONLY **
hosted by Andrea Briccarello, head sommelier at Galvin Group and Giovanni Ferlito, head sommelier, The Ritz
Learning about Sherry is just the beginning of becoming a true Sherry sommelier. Guests attending this masterclass will: taste six hand-picked Sherry wines, chosen by some of the UK’s leading sommeliers; learn the art of sharing Sherry knowledge with customers and staff; be taken on a culinary journey to understand how truly versatile Sherry is when pairing with food; and be welcomed into the world of Copa Jerez, the ultimate Sherry and food pairing competition.
1.30pm - 2.30pm Cheese pairing with Sherry ** FULLY BOOKED - WAITING LIST ONLY **
hosted by Susy Atkins
Tasting Sherry often gives added dimensions of flavour, depth and aromas but when those wines are tasted again with different cheeses something magical happens. This masterclass will explore six different styles of Sherry paired with three different cheeses, from Paxton & Whitfield, to illustrate the dramatic and evolving flavour sensations of pairing Sherry with cheese.
3.45pm - 4.45pm The nation's favourite Sherries: en rama & cream ** LIMITED AVAILABILITY **
hosted by Beltrán Domecq
Two styles of Sherry dominate the headlines in the UK, and they couldn’t be more different. Each has caught the attention of a demanding British public but both have their own unique tales to tell. Guests to this masterclass will taste five of the best examples from both ranges, under the expert tutelage of the CRDO Jerez y Manzanilla president, Beltrán Domecq.
Firstly, the latest addition to the Sherry family are en rama wines, most often younger styles of bone-dry Fino and Manzanilla, released typically in Spring and Autumn each year when the ‘flor’ is most active.
And, then, the most well-known sweeter styles of medium dry, medium sweet and cream Sherry. Often overlooked but these styles provide elegant wines, perfect for food pairing and give the most rewarding tasting experience.
The business of Sherry in the UK is changing and we are delighted to record the highest number of importers for nearly ten years - showing that buyers in the UK value the potential of Sherry. As a result we welcome the wines from Bodegas Garvey (Inverarity Morton) to the GST for the first time, as well as the return of Sandeman's (Liberty Wines) Sherry wines to the event.
Bodgeas Alonso, a small, family owned bodega in Sanlucar de Barameda will be attending it's first UK event, showing it's premium range of wines.
It is not just new bodgeas exhibiting at GST that offer our visitors something new. Two of the most established and well-known producers - Hidalgo-La Gitana (Mentzendorff) and Barbadillo (Fells) - will be showing new wines for the first time at GST. And, guests will be able to 'Meet the Maker' at Fernando de Castilla (Boutinot), Bodegas Alonso (seeking UK importer) and Williams & Humbert's tables (Ehrmanns).
And, we welcome back some familiar names in the list of exhibitors below:
- Berkmann - Rodriguez La-Cave; Delgado Zuleta
- Boutinot Wines UK - Fernando de Castilla
- C & D Wines - Delgado Zuleta
- Ehrmanns - Viniberia
- Ehrmanns - Williams & Humbert
- Emporia Brands - Osborne
- Ellis of Richmond - Covijerez
- Fells - Barbadillo
- Fields, Morris & Verdin - Emilio Lustau
- Gonzalez Byass UK - Gonzalez Byass
- Indigo Wines - El Maestro Sierra
- Inverarity Morton - Garvey
- Les Caves de Pyrene - Cesar Florido; Emilio Hidalgo; Sanchez Ayala
- Liberty Wines - Valdespino
- Liberty Wines - Sandeman
- Mentzendorff - Hidalgo-La Gitana
- Morgonrot Group - Baron
- New Generation McKinley - Bodega Tradicion
- Top Selection - Yuste
- Whyte & MacKay - Harveys
- Bodegas Alonso - seeking UK importer
- Diez Merito - seeking UK importer
In addition to the masterclass programme, 22 exhibitor tables, showing nearly 200 wines, and a large number of Sherry experts to utilise, guests will also be invited to try a slection of Sherry Cocktails (from 1-5pm).
Whether you are a Sherry aficionado wanting to hone your knowledge of these unique wines, or someone who’s new to Sherry and wants to learn more, we would like to welcome you to our annual Sherry showcase event (trade only).
Simply click here to register.
- Download the tasting catalogue now: simply click link above.
