Your Excellency, Acting Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, New Caballeros, Caballeros, Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! And a special welcome to those who have not attended before.
I’d like to thank Sr Conde for his terrific speech. Not easy to follow that!
This is a unique event in the UK wine trade. And in these difficult times, it is great to be able to enjoy an evening among friends, away from preoccupations.
This is a time to celebrate achievements. Last year, Spain was in the headlines and we were all cheering Carlos Alcaraz. This year, though, here in the UK we can celebrate Arsenal’s defeat of Real Madrid – but I must admit that Mikel Arteta has a role to play in Arsenal’s success.
This year I was a judge at Copa Jerez. Typically the UK does not do too well in this competition, But I was very pleased that the UK team from Silo Restaurant in London won not only Best Chef, but also most Creative pairing. Theirs is a ‘no-waste’ cuisine, and the judges were blown away by the imagination, and their philosophy.
I’m delighted to say that for this anniversary dinner we have had the very best of Spanish gastronomy in the UK. José Pizarro and Owen Morgan have worked tremendously hard to deliver this terrific menu. José, Owen, please stand up – and let’s give them a round of applause.
This is the 40th anniversary of the dinner, and by chance today is also the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to Europe. I can remember with how much pleasure we used to bring back wine that we had discovered in Spain. How complicated it has become now.
Nevertheless many things have changed for the better in the last 40 years – take a look at my introduction to the menu. Despite the complications in the market place I’m delighted to say that our wines today include some particularly exciting choices. It was a highly qualified team who chose the wines: 5 MWs, of whom 4 are Caballeros. In particular I’d highlight our first Vino de Pasto, (Luis Pérez El Muelle de Olaso) and our first wine from the Canaries (Tamerán Marmajuelo). In addition we selected an elegant white Rioja from Caballero Jesús Madrazo, and for our red wines an impressive Priorat and a classic Rioja. With the dessert, we will finish with Leonor, González Byass’ Palo Cortado.
While I have the opportunity I want to call on everyone present to assist us with our new Mentor programme, launched for the 40th anniversary. We are seeking people working in the UK wine trade, aged under 40, with a strong interest in Spain, who would benefit from mentoring by a Caballero. The application form is on the Gran Orden website.
As I come to a close, being British, I can’t escape mentioning the weather. Travelling about Spain over the past year I have heard from growers about drought, low yields, and latterly mildew. All of this will be affecting production quantities. But above and beyond that I must mention the terrible floods in the Valencia region. On Wednesday October 23rd, the Ambassador hosted a Sherry tasting with our new Caballero César Saldaña. The news was just coming through about the floods. The Ambassador asked for a minute’s silence for the 70 people who had died. Little did we know then what the true figure was to be.
At this point it’s appropriate to thank the Ambassador for all he has been doing to promote Spanish gastronomy and wine during his time here.
To conclude:
My heartfelt thanks to ICEX, both in London and in Spain, and especially to Marianne Rodríguez for her work making this dinner happen.
I’d like to thank the team at the hotel.
Our toastmaster.
The Ambassador and Mrs Dufort.
And a very warm thank you to all of our guests.
Finally, would all the Caballeros stand a raise a glass to toast our guests.