The “Copa de Jerez” is all about sherry-food pairing and in the past has been judged by our own Heston. This year the big man is Ferran Adrià, who has to be one of the most famous people in the food world. Despite being from the same country (although I bet Ferran, being Catalan,  would dispute that) the local rag can’t even spell his name correctly or even get the accent in the right place. Could that be a typo they cut and pasted from the Consejo press release? I don’t recognise the other judges, perhaps US people will know Michael Franz. I guess he’s the man behind Wine Review Online?

For an international competition, it’s a surprise to see the website is in Spanish only. I guess budgets at the Consejo must be tight? Not so tight that they can’t afford a new Japanese website though, so I’m not sure. 

I often wonder about the whole Japan thing when the worlds’ largest importer of wines and largest market for sherry is on the doorstep, but seemingly neglected.

Two of the comments to the local rag’s first story are interesting:

A team from the British Army are representing the UK and RAF questions if this says something about the standard of the competition or the standard of cooking in Jerez. All I can say is don’t underestimate the British Army Culinary Arts Team, and some of the local “chefs” should be told that a can-opener and microwave are not the route to culinary success.

Exiliado – who obviously feels left out – wonders if any specialised journalists from Jerez are covering the event. I think Ferran Adrià might be able to answer that.

There is a story about Medium sherry being big in Germany. English maiden aunts coming home from Matins might have a thing or two to say about that.

Finally, something from a while back. Sherry vinegar sales are heading south.