398: How Did One Decision Trigger Sherry's Decline From Britain's Favourite Drink?

How did a single decision trigger Sherry's decline from Britain's favourite drink? What would it take for Sherry to make a comeback after decades of decline? How can you make the most out of your trip to the Sherry region of Spain? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Howkins, author of a new book on Sherry. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Ben Howkin's terrific book, Sherry: Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent! To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights Why was Pedro Ximénez once considered too valuable to bottle on its own? Why did Shakespeare mention Sherry so often in his plays? How did Sherry become one of the world's most popular wines before its dramatic decline? How did one businessman almost single-handedly bring down the modern Sherry industry? Why did people in Jerez say José María Ruiz-Mateos had turned wine back into water? How has the collapse in Sherry sales unexpectedly created a rare opportunity for wine lovers? Why does Ben believe the world's finest old Sherries remain one of wine's greatest bargains? What would it take for Sherry to become fashionable again? Why are small independent bodegas giving Ben renewed hope for the future of Sherry? What makes a visit to Jerez unlike any other wine region in the world? How did Ben help revive one of Europe's oldest and most celebrated sweet wines after the fall of the Iron Curtain? Why did Hungary insist on calling it the Royal Tokaji Wine Company instead of the Imperial Tokaji Wine Company? What does "five puttonyos" actually mean on a bottle of Tokaji? After a lifetime in wine, what advice does Ben have for anyone looking to enjoy wine more?   About Ben Howkins Ben Howkins is widely regarded as the UK's leading writer and expert on port and sherry. In 1963, he became the youngest recipient of the Vintners Scholarship, an experience that took him across Europe's vineyards and helped shape his lifelong passion for wine education, particularly fortified and dessert wines. A prolific author, he has written extensively for both consumer and trade publications. His books include Rich, Rare & Red, Real Men Drink Port… and Ladies Do Too!, Sherry and Adventures in the Wine Trade. He is a member of the Vintners' Company and has lectured for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, where he also served as a Trustee. An international wine judge and public speaker, he has led vineyard tours across Europe and South America and promoted wine globally, including in the USA and China. He is co-founder of the Royal Tokaji Wine Company and a key figure in reviving Tokaji Aszú's global reputation.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/398.