Course for Sherry Educators in Jerez

October 15^th 2006

The “Consejo Regulador” of the Designation of Origin Jerez-Xerez-Sherry organized an intensive course, on October 4th and 5th, to form “Sherry Educators”.

The course was attended by a group of 22 participants from 12 different nationalities. The objective of the course is to teach the participants how to transmit the culture and tradition of Sherry and its wines in their respective countries. The programme was conducted in English by César Saldaña, General Manager for the Designation of Origin, by Jorge Pascual its President, with the assistance of Carmen Ausmesquet and Blanca Villalba in the organization and coordination of the course.

During two full days the students followed a total immersion programme to learn the viticulture of Sherry, its history, tradition, production techniques and ageing process. The practical sessions were conducted at the vineyards of Sandeman and at ageing bodegas of Jerez, Puerto Santa Maria y Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The wineries visited included José Estevez, Valdespino, Barbadillo, Caballero and Valdivia where the students had the chance to learn the solera ageing system and tasted several types of wines such as “mostos”, “sobretablas”, “criaderas” and final products.

The participating students were all wine professionals from England, Ireland, Argentina, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Denmark, France and USA. At the end of the course they had to sit a theory and a blind tasting exam in order to obtain the official diploma from the Consejo Regulador that qualifies them as “Official Sherry Educators”.

Sybille Troubleyn was one of the invited professionals, who attended the two days in order to expand here Jerez knowledge. If you would like here to conduct a Sherry seminar for your organisation please send an e-mail to info@winewise.be.