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 natalie@nataliemaclean.com 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?