Spain Report: Owen Morgan on Sherry

Founder of the award-winning 44 Group of tapas restaurants, bars and a hotel, self-confessed sherry fanatic Owen Morgan gives his pointers on how to take the category forward.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Owen Morgan, Bar 44

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Owen Morgan, owner of the Bar 44 tapas group, to find out how the year has gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.

Sherry puts the spotlight on fino

Dry sherries are being thrust into the spotlight this year, with the launch of a new campaign focusing on Jerez’s steeliest iterations. 

10th Tío Pepe challenge now open for entries

In 2023, the international Tío Pepe Challenge, the world’s largest Sherry cocktail competition, celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is now open for entries from UK bartenders on the theme, ‘Twist Your Classic’.

Friday read: Not a match – why is sherry failing to find its groove?

November and December is the time when fortifieds come out to play. At least, they do in the press. Probably 90% of port and sherry’s column inches occur in the month before Christmas.

New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.

Entries now open for Tio Pepe Challenge 2022

After a two year break due to the pandemic, Gonzalez Byass is once again hosting the world’s largest international sherry cocktail competition.

CVNE to release second vintage of resurrected white Rioja

Leading Rioja winery CVNE will release a small volume of its 'new' white Rioja, Monopole Clasico Gran Reserva 2015, in 2022.

Sherry Week’s global tasting jamboree hailed a success

With some 1,755 tastings, split 50:50 between physical and virtual events, International Sherry Week (8-14 Nov) drew in participants from some 27 countries this year, being the biggest global celebration of the region’s wines.

Headline hero: Heroic Jerez

In Association With Gonzalez Byass

Long Read: What to do about fortified wines' straitened market?

Jacopo Mazzeo looks at what regions such as the Douro and Jerez are doing to survive in a market increasingly hostile to fortified wines and explores whether these efforts are effective. Port, for instance, is heading in two diametrically opposed directions: simplification and (extra) premiumisation, with new categories that span from youth-friendly RTDs to Tawny 50yo and White 50yo. Sherry meanwhile, has just changed a number of its regulations and now embraces unfortified wine.

Copa Jerez announces 2021 UK winners

Sommelier Mattia Mazzi and Chef Vincenzo Raffone, representing The River Café in London, stormed to victory at the UK heat of Copa Jerez.

UK Copa Jerez finalists revealed

Three chef and sommelier teams have been chosen to attend the UK final for Copa Jerez in London later this month. 

International Sherry Week and Copa Jerez align for autumn celebration

International Sherry Week will this year coincide with the biannual food and wine focused Copa Jerez competition during November.

Soaring sherry sales prop up Tio Pepe’s 12th release

All-star judging line up for Copa Jerez 2021 revealed

Sherry’s flagship culinary competition has announced the judges for this year’s edition, with Sarah Jane Evans MW, Matthieu Longuere MS, and Anna Haugh all due to appear in this year’s prestigious hot seat.

Five minutes with Owen Morgan, Bar 44

Bar 44 Group’s co-owner and self-confessed sherry nut Owen Morgan talks Andrew Catchpole through launching Manzanilla 44 with Bodegas Barón and generally advancing the cause.

Bancroft adds Bodegas Emilio Lustau sherries

Bancroft Wines has added the sherries from renowned sherry producer Bodegas Emilio Lustau to its growing portfolio. 

Majestic pinpoints Beaujolais as ‘unexpected hit’ of 2020

Majestic has pinpointed Beaujolais as “one of the unexpected hits” of 2020.

Sherry champions add zing with own Manzanilla

Long known for their passionate support of sherry, 44 Group founders the Morgan brothers have gone a step further and launched their own Manzanilla.