November was indeed an exciting time for Sherry in Taiwan and Mainland China as Bosco Torremocha, Director General of FEDEJEREZ, visited and held seminars and Sherry Wine Associations dinners in both places. The turnout of media and trade people was excellent and they enthusiastically learned more about and experienced Sherry wines. Another piece of good news in both the Taiwan and Mainland China markets is the increasing number of new importers who import Sherry as well as their expanding range of wines. In this issue, you'll find more interesting articles on impressive pairing of Sherry & Chinese cuisine, Sherry events and news from Jerez.

John H. Isacs - CEO of EnjoyGourmet Digital & Print Media
/Founder of Sherry Wine Association - Greater China

Greetings from Sherry Lovers
Spanish Sunshine in a Bottle

As a wine editor, I have sampled a variety of delectable wines. Few could indulge me, and even fewer could impress me as their names make themselves unforgotten for one year long. However, Sherry Oloroso makes it.

I remember tasting Sherry first time at John’s dinner, the most interesting part of which is to pair Sherry wine with Chinese food. At the initial sip, what surprised me was its taste. "How come it tastes like Shaoxing?" As I drank more, the difference between Sherry and Shaoxing revealed. Shaoxing showcases the brewer’s technique, while Sherry not only the brewer's technique but the brewer’s taste, although each represents the quintessence its culture. Sherry is a wine with soul. Taste-wise, Sherry has a stronger and fuller body than Shaoxing. With a friendlier flavor, Sherry is a great partner to cuisine, well matching all kinds of dishes. No wonder William Shakespeare spoke highly of Sherry as "Spanish sunshine in a bottle!"

Zhang Yan - Senior Reporter of Tyloo Magazine

The Consejo Regulador is currently developing an intense campaign to promote Sherry amongst internationally recognized trend-setters and wine experts from around the world. During the past month, following the completion of the harvest, the Casa del Vino has hosted a series of events which form part of a strategic promotional campaign launched to highlight Sherry's advantageous position in the list of preferences of the world's most celebrated wine connoisseurs. Among the groups targeted are the "Masters of Wine", the most prestigious international title in the wine trade, which has only been awarded to some fifty people in the whole world. With this aim the Consejo Regulador recently organized a group visit to Jerez for a number of British Masters of Wine, including BBC journalist Sarah Jane Evans, who obtained her title with a study on Sherry Almacenistas.

The experts visited several bodegas and vineyards protected under our Denominations of Origin in Jerez, El Puerto, and Sanlúcar where they were able to see the full production process of Sherry and Manzanilla, from the grape picking, transporting and storage, to the aging process. The President of the Consejo, Jorge Pascual, and the Director General, César Saldaña, led a presentation and tasting session, which placed a special emphasis on the rare and age-certified Sherry categories, the oldest wines which can be consumed in the world. The participants of this "reverse trade mission" were given the opportunity to further their knowledge, and experience first hand the most attractive aspects of the wine traditions preserved in the bodegas registered under our Denomination of Origen. For some of them it was their first visit. Also part of the group was the first Spaniard to have been awarded the Master of Wine title, Pancho Campos. The President of the Spanish Academy of Wine has also visited the area on two occasions, something that demonstrates his unswerving passion for Sherry, a wine which he ranks amongst the best in the world.

THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY OF "SHERRY EDUCATORS" IS GROWING AROUND THE WORLD

At the beginning of October another seminar was held, aimed at aficionados who wished to obtain the title of "Sherry Educator". This is awarded to teachers, wine lecturers, critics, and journalists who become part of the international arm of the Education Programme of the Consejo Regulador in their respective countries. On this occasion participants include prestigious sommeliers, oenologists, specialists, and critics from China (Hong Kong), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Great Britain, the United States, and Spain. During three intensive days of activities they have been able to broaden their knowledge in areas such as the history of Sherry, the role played by the Consejo Regulador and the Denomination of Origin, the process of production and maturing, viticulture, the various types of Sherry and their different ages, their storage and ways of being served, and their combination with gastronomy.

This has involved both theoretical and practical sessions which took place both at the headquarters of the Consejo Regulador and in various vineyards and bodegas in the Jerez wine growing region (Fundador Pedro Domecq, Grupo Estévez, Grupo Caballero, González Byass, and Hidalgo- La Gitana, amongst others). With this new title the Consejo recognizes the advanced level of specialization achieved by the participants which in turn guarantees the effective process of education and dissemination carried out in their various different countries, in accordance with the standards and requirements specified by the organization. By formalizing the different criteria a more homogenous and effective training process becomes more possible in the most important markets for Sherry around the world.

Sherry Wine Association Activities
Sherry ~ Spain's Greatest Wine Visits Taiwan "Learn About the World's Most Unique Wine"

The Sherry Wine Association held an one-of-a-kind seminar and wine tasting party at the B1 Banquet Hall of the Landis Taipei Hotel on the afternoon of November 10th. The special guest of the evening was the General Director of FEDEJEREZ, Bosco Torremocha, who generously shared with the audience his first-hand information on sherries. All the guests were attentive to Mr. Torremocha’s detailed and in-depth presentation, nodding their heads excitedly and looking inspired.

After the informative talk on Sherry wines, Mr. Torremocha led the attendees to taste five different styles of Sherry wine to experience the varied character of the sherries. The activity sometimes quieted down with guests’ heightened attention and sometimes became exuberant with their happy praises. Interestingly, the atmosphere of this seminar was just like the varied character of sherries.

Sherry Wine Association Activities
When Sherries meet innovative Chinese cuisines

Sharing the food and wine pairing tips—one of the best parts of Sherry wine association dinners—has always been a solo act by John H. Isacs, the CEO of EnjoyGourmet Digital & Print Media. But this time, the wine dinner held on November 10th at People Restaurant had a honored guest, Bosco Torremocha, General Director of FEDEJEREZ to costar with John. At that night, with all the guests seated in a long dining table, chatting and laughing with delight, the event seemed like an quintessential feast of the West.

In the nice atmosphere of dusky lights, the attendees tasted the sherry wines, from dry to sweet, light body to full body, and paired the wines with different kinds of innovative and traditional Chinese cuisines. Then, came the great gourmet experience when good food meets the right wine. The satisfaction on geusts’ face and their joyful laughter were the best evidence of how successful this wine dinner was!

Sherry Wine Association Activities
From Jerez to Shanghai Experience World's Wonderful Wine

On the afternoon of November 12th, "Shanghai Sherry Wine Seminar", hosted by the Sherry Wine Association – Greater China, took place at the Chinese-style Cheers Wine Cellars. The Director of FEDEJEREZ, Bosco Torremocha, attended the seminar, discussing the unique culture of Sherry with all the guests, and guiding them to enjoy the beautiful wine.

Torremocha introduced five different styles of Sherry, including the fresh Barbadillo, Solear Manzanilla; complex Valdespino, Contrabandista Amontillado, impressive Williams & Humbert, Dry Sack; fruity and nutty Osborne, Santa Maria Cream with a famous black bull logo throughout Spain, and sweet Sánchez Romate with a huge popularity among young ladies. On the toasting to each other and saying “Salud” the successful seminar had a happy ending.

Sherry Wine Association Activities
When Hong Kong Food Meets Sherry Wine November Banquet of the Sherry Wine Association - Greater China (Shanghai)

On the evening of November 12th, the banquet of the Sherry Wine Association - Greater China (Shanghai) took place at the Pu Jing Restaurant, where the synergistic beauty of Sherry wine and Hong Kong food was shown to all the guests, including F&B operators, local media and wine lovers in Shanghai. The Director of FEDEJEREZ, Bosco Torremocha, attended the banquet, delivering knowledge about the wines on site, and sharing experience in food pairing as a number of dishes served in the banquet was quite similar to Spanish-style dishes which go well with Sherry.

John H. Isacs, CEO of EnjoyGourmet Digital & Print Media, helped interpret and explain the wonderful pairing of Sherry wine and Chinese food. He gave high credit to the seasonal dish "Steamed Shanghai Hairy Crab". Without vinegar it matches Harveys, Harveys Fino and Hidalgo-La Gitana, Manzanilla, while with vinegar it matches Lustau, Solera Reserva Los Arcos Dry Amontillado. The "Fried River Fish Stick with Salt & Pepper" has a soft texture with slight salty and spicy flavors, well matching Harveys, Harveys Fino. The flavorful dish "Spicy Steamed Sea Fish in Sichuan Style" is best served with Valdivia, Prune Medium Semi Seco. The fantastic banquet ended with the Hong Kong dessert “Sweet Pineapple Bun" with Valdespino, EL Candado PX in a continuously lively discussing and cheering.

Islamic people who invaded Spain in 711 and occupied the region until the 13th century. It was the Moors who brought the science of distillation to the Jerez region, a process that later helped create the distinct fortified wine style that is now the Sherry of today.

This flavorful dish is a fine pairing with the Valdivia, Prune Medium Semi Seco as the deep meaty flavors of the beef are balanced by this sophisticated, just slightly sweet flavors of the wine and the chewy texture of the tendons is balanced by the clean slightly acidic finish of the Sherry.

• Region：Sanlúcar de Barrameda, DO Manzanilla, Spain
• Variety：100% Palomino
• Alcohol：15%
• Comments：Lovely version of Sherry's lightest and freshest style of wine, this Sherry has a light straw color, delicate nose of almonds and vanilla and elegant nutty flavors with a touch of saltiness; the very long finish is quite impressive.
• Serving & Food Pairing：Serve well chilled, about 8℃; great aperitif and pairs well with cured ham, especially Iberian Ham, and all types of fresh and marinated fish as well as Taiwanese Style Dried Mullet Roe.
• Aging Method：Over 3 years in American oak.
• Aging Potential：Best within 1 year of purchase.

• Region：Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain
• Variety： Palomino, Pedro Ximénez
• Alcohol：19%
• Comments：Another winner from the excellent Sherry producer Barbadillo, this Sherry has a rich mahogany color, lively nose of candied fruits and nuts and elegant mellow honey and nut flavors and a soft clean finish; the balance of this Sherry is impressive.
• Serving & Food Pairing：Serve well chilled, about 10~12 C; lovely as a digestif and pairs very nicely with goose or duck liver, delicate cakes and cookies as well as Taiwanese and Shanghai Style Sweet Sticky Rice Balls.
• Aging Method：Minimum 6 years in American oak.
• Aging Potential：Best within 4~5 years of purchase.

• Region：Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO
• Variety：Palomino
• Alcohol：18.5%
• Comments：From a highly regarded producer comes a very sophisticated old Amontillado; the wine has a lovely tawny golden color, with a lively nose of nuts with oak overtones and rich, concentrated dried fruit, nuts and oak flavors and a very long and complex finish; this is one of the finest Amontillado Sherries.
• Serving & Food Pairing：Serve well chilled, about 12℃; excellent with rich meat dishes including Spanish or Cantonese style Suckling Pig and also very nice as an after dinner, contemplative drink.
• Aging Method：Minimum 8 years in American oak.
• Aging Potential：Best within 5 years of purchase.

• Region：Jerez-Xeres-Sherry DO, Spain
• Variety：Palomino, Pedro Ximenez
• Alcohol：20%
• Comments：Reviving an historic style of Sherry when casks of Sherry were lashed to ships as ballast then drunk, dark mahogany color, sweet nuts and cream aromas and lots of raisins, sweet orange peels and nuts flavors with a long smooth finish.
• Serving & Food Pairing：Serve well chilled, about 10~12℃; lovely as a digestif and pairs very nicely with stinky cheeses, light cakes as well as the popular Chinese Moon Cakes.
• Aging Method：Over 6 years in American oak.
• Aging Potential：Best within 4~5 years of purchase.