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Gonzalez Byass UK plans twist for milestone portfolio tasting

To celebrate 21 years of Gonzalez Byass UK, its upcoming portfolio tasting will feature “BYOB like you’ve never seen before”.

It is not every year you get to celebrate a 21st birthday. It is little surprise, therefore, that Gonzalez Byass UK is pulling out all the stops for its anniversary tasting. Although the Spanish winery is considerably older – it celebrated its 21st birthday in 1856 – 2025 marks 21 years of the company’s current UK office.

To mark the occasion, Gonzalez Byass UK has a special treat for its portfolio tasting in central London. Many of the producers will be bringing something special to mark the occasion. As managing director Melissa Draycott terms it: “It’s BYOB (bring your own bottle) like you’ve never seen before.”

Whether showing off a legendary vintage or liberating a special release from the cellar, they have been tasked with uncovering something extraordinary. What’s more, visitors will have the chance to sample these rare treasures.

The full list, of course, will remain a mystery until the day. Yet with a portfolio of fine wine producers across four continents – not least the iconic Sherries of the namesake winery – there should be something for everyone.

In fact, even discounting this anniversary special, the tasting offers a chance to explore a wide-ranging portfolio featuring iconic brands.

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The Gonzalez Byass portfolio now features wines from 10 countries, but naturally Spain is at the forefront. Alongside the fortified wines of Jerez, the tasting will showcase iconic regions such as Ribera del Duero and Rías Baixas as well as lesser known appellations like Somontano.

One producer at the centre of the celebrations will be Bodegas Beronia. The Rioja producer, founded in 1973, has been a mainstay of the portfolio for more than 40 years and routinely wins awards for its expressions of Rioja Alta.

The London tasting will be a chance for the British trade to meet its new winemaker, Alejandro López, who joined the winery last autumn. He will be presenting the producer’s new barrel-aged Viura, alongside its long-established bottlings.

Turning to the rest of Europe, visitors will find wines from the Douro, Champagne, Alsace, Wachau and Tokaji.

Of particular note is Famiglia Castellani, a Tuscan producer dating back to 1903. Giacomo Castellani, the fifth generation winemaker, will present a selection of its wines. Its range includes Sangiovese and Vermentino from its homeland as well as its Messer del Fauno range from the south of Italy.

Some of the standout bottles come from other long-established producers. Champagne Deutz will showcase Amour de Deutz 2013. This signature Blanc de Blancs prestige cuvée spends more than eight years ageing in the bottle.

Meanwhile Quinta do Noval, a historic Port house, will bring fortified wines such as its Colheita 2012 and Vintage 2015. It will also show table wines, which now account for 40% of production.

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht will present a snapshot of its more than 30 wines. Attendees will even have the chance to taste the latest 2022 release of Riesling Rangen de Thann ‘Clos Saint Urbain’, described as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the range by organisers.

Also featured are wines from Chile, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The spirits selection on display includes two Spanish brandies as well as gins and whisky from the UK.

The Gonzalez Byass UK tasting takes place at 2 Savoy Place on Thursday 6 February 2025. Members of the trade can register to attend here.

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