Jerez Wine

Ah, finally, packed and ready to head off to the EWBC 2009 tomorrow morning. I’ve been looking forward to this EWBC since the last one. Ryan, Gabriella and Robert proved last year that they know how to put on a good show and as the program for this year’s conference has fleshed out over the last few months I have become more and more excited.

This year they have also managed to get some awesome sponsorship.

What am I looking forward to the most? I’m not sure where to start. There is quite a lot (in no particular order):

2. It’s going to be great to see old friends again.

7. Meeting new people who weren’t there last year will be fun.

9. The pre conference gathering at Cortes de Cima in the Alentejo. They have even set up a parallel tasting in Lisbon so we can all blog together live.

8. Given my obsession with sweet and fortified wines and that I live in Jerez, I’m REALLY pleased that Vinoble are getting involved, although I do wonder if since  The Wine Academy Spain recently won the contract to produce Vinoble any probing questions are going to be asked. It could all get very interesting…

4. Learning something new from the sessions, which are very grown up this year. Even “streamed” and all.

1. Food, especially food with wine. It looks like we’re in for a treat with the restaurants we will be eating at:  Gemelli, Restaurant 11 and Alfândega.

6. Regional visits. It goes without saying I chose Setubal.

3. A chance to learn all about Portuguese wine. My slightly ulterior motive is I definitely need more Portuguese wine knowledge for that dreaded and all encompassing WSET Diploma Unit 3 exam.

5. Finally, I was lucky enough to be included on the two-day visit to the Douro organised by the Douro Boys. That might just be a nose ahead in the most-looked-forward-to stakes.

I told you it was in no order. What would your favourite be?