When I was in Jerez we took a turn down a narrow little side street heading back to the hotel and I saw a guy walking towards us, obviously a bit down and out, and a little unsteady on his feet, but he seemed friendly enough and waved at us as he went by, and I waved back. Then we passed where I had seen him get up from, a doorway that was clearly his home. And my heart broke a little bit. The sign posted on his little stand said…
No estoy aquí por gusto, ní para que me humíllen. Sólo pido ayuda por favor.
I am not here by choice, nor to be humiliated. I am simply asking for help, please.
Then I noticed a rather large book next to his bed and took a closer look… it was the 1992 edition of Curso de Vinos Españoles a classic work on wine education. And I thought, what the fuck man, you just never know do you? And then I wished he hadn’t been in such a hurry to head out because I suddenly had so many questions. I’ll have another look for him next time I’m in Jerez.
I lived in the house on the right for 18 years and remember when Hotel Casa 1800 
So there I was – as usual – making last minute bodega visit plans via Twitter and WhatsApp the day before my trip… and mostly that worked out, except that two of the bodegas I wanted to visit weren’t available at such short notice. Really, it was probably enough seeing five bodegas in two and a half days, but I am always left wanting more. I think I might plan a longer stay in Jerez soon and make day trips to Sanlúcar and El Puerto while there, and keep it down to one bodega a day. Well, maybe two now and then… 😉
