December 2007
Copa Jerez
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The UK leg of the Copa Jerez, a Sherry and food matching competition, is looking for applicants to emulate the success of James O'Donnell and Kevin Sutherland's of edinburgh's Number One The Balmoral restaurant
who won the trophy in January 2007. The competition is for sous chef and sommelier duos, who can show the versatility of Sherry as a food wine. The Sherry Institute of Spain will pick 10 finalists, who will meet for a live
cook-off on the 18th February 2008, putting together a three course menu, each course paired with a different style of Sherry. The winners will receive a gastronomic tour of the Sherry region of Jerez, and become the UK entrants into the
Global final, held in Jerez in 2009. Closing date for applicants is the 31st December, contact Peter Griffiths on 01564 776 842 or peter@salonculinaire.co.uk.
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Zuccardi tops out
Familia Zuccardi has been awarded the international title of 'Innovative Wine Tourism Experience' for their visitor centre at the 2008 'Best Of Wine Tourism' Awards. The annual awards were announced at a ceremony in
Oporto, Portugal last month. The Zuccardi visitor centre was cited by the judges as being "among the most impressive, comprising vineyard and winery tours, encompassing tastings, a gourmet restaurant and even an
art museum". The Zuccardi Visitor Centre opened in 2004 and attracts around 45,000 visitors each year. Situated half an hour east of Mendoza City, visitors are able to sample traditional Argentine food - empanadas
cooked in the oven, dulce de leche and barbeques - paired with Zuccardi wines and olive oils.
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Wine Selecting for the Future
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Retec Digital has expanded its portfolio of "guided selling solutions" by developing a touch screen, interactive wine selecting unit in conjunction with MW Matthew Stubbs.
The company say the unit is "aiming to not only make a significant impact on the customer's enjoyment and knowledge of wine, but increase sales, assist the staff and make a positive impact on the retailer's bottom line."
The company is currently in talks with a number of large retailers and off-licenses and hopes to roll out the units in the New Year. The units have been designed
allow the shopper to make purchasing decision based on what they look for in a wine; be it taste, price or occasion. Recommendations of which foods accompany and complement each wine are also incorporated into
the units. Matthew Stubbs says "This wine selector is a great idea to encourage experimentation for those buying wine in supermarkets. I am delighted to be part of this new initiative to help consumers with their wine
choices at the point of purchase. It will make life so much easier for many who still view buying wine as a daunting and bewildering experience."
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Spiral Cellars Goes White
An underground Spiral Cellar is the ultimate, if expensive solution to wine storage problems for many people. The traditional Spiral Cellar is available in four different depths,
but all of them fairly industrial in design. Now, in these makeover-obssessed days, the company has launched a stylish White Cellar option, with a smooth finish, similar in appearance to limestone,
and optional available with a glass trap door instead of the more traditional wooden hatch. Grand designers can also opt for a range of bespoke lighting solutions, including under-step LED lighting, ceiling down-lighters
and floor up-lighters. Step tread inlay can include tan or dark brown leather, grey or Chinese slate, wood plank effect and various Amtico colours. The White Cellar is available from £21,750 from
Spiral Cellars
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Ultimate English Wine Experience
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Bookers Vineyard, West Sussex, is inviting you to "Treat the wine enthusiast in your life to the Ultimate English Wine Experience, " with a package that comprises a half day viticulture course including a tour of
Bookers vineyard and winery. Visitors will "learn about winemaking from grape to glass and take part in a tutored tasting to learn how to evaluate and appreciate fine wines, and identify flavour characteristics."
The tasting session will also explore how factors such as climate and growing conditions impact on the winemaking process in England compared to other wine producing countries.
At the end of the course guests will enjoy locally produced cheeses and biscuits, matched with a selection of Bookers' wines. The Experience is available from
buyagift.co.uk, priced £75.00.
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