Spain is considered an “old world wine region” — a blend of tradition and innovation where superb quality goes hand in hand with unparalleled value. Working with indigenous grape varieties, winemakers craft robust reds, crisp whites, lively sparklers and world-renowned fortified wines. Spanish wines have a classification system based on the "Denominación de Origen" (also known as a "D.O." or designation of origin) that indicates where the wine was produced. In this episode, we're joined by Elisa Errea as we look at seven enchanting wine regions across Spain.
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
Elisa Errea started her career in wine over twenty years ago, working for the Codorníu group (Export and Winemaking) for 10 years. In 2012 she founded The Wine Studio, an internationally awarded Spanish wine school offering WSET qualifications as well as custom training. She's also a strategic consultant for wineries and institutions as well as a lecturer at different master-level programmes and sommelier degrees. She has designed the current wine programme taught by her team at Le Cordon Bleu Madrid. At an institutional level, she’s Rioja Wine Academy academic advisor and also director of ICEX-Wines from Spain official education programme "Unveiling Spanish Wines."
In 2015 Tobias moved to Canada, to follow his heart - met his wife and became assistant winemaker with Vineland Estates in Niagara. Having been trained in the northern region of Rheine, Germany Tobias was accustomed to working with cold climate wines. We talk about non-aloholic wine options, Chardonnay vs Riesling, and which foods pair best with fruity vs dry rieslings. Listen now!
This episode we are chatting with Valentina Argiolas of Agriolas Wines. Having been born right on her families winery in Sardinia, Valentina has been surrounded by wine her entire life. Learn about wine varietals that are unique to Sardinia, and how the Argiolas family are using new technologies, including geo-positioning to produce traditional wines.
In this episode our guest is Alessio Planeta, owner of Planeta winery in Sicily and 6 boutique wineries throughout the island. What is frapatto, and how do we get chardonnay drinkers to try frapatto? If you're travelling to Sicily, what is a must-try wine? And how does a volcano impact the wine industry? Find out the answers to these, and much more - Listen in!
In this episode, we chat with Pepe Raventos, one of the leading wine makers around the globe, joining us straight from his vineyard. The Raventos family has been making sparkling wine sing the Xarel·lo grape variety on the same property for 21 generations now. Hear how Pepe's great great grandfather was inspired by French winemaking traditions and brought them back to spain in 1872, and what makes Pepe known as an innovator in wine.
In this episode we welcome guest J.L. Groux. Originally from the Loire valley region in France, for the last 30 years he's called Ontario home. As the winemaker at Stratus winery, in this episode we learn about how he blends different grape varieties to create new flavours, how different varieties create consistent wines year after year. J. L. Groux gives us a peek into his experience of creating ice wines, his collab with Guelph Sanctuary, and his latest sparkling project. Tune in to hear all about it.
Spain is home to hundreds of native wine grapes! The country was a safe haven for vitis vinifera during the last Ice Age causing a boom of developing grape species that are part of the tapestry of this wine making country. As we explore some of Spain’s interesting range of indigenous varieties we are joined by Ferran Centelles, Spanish Wine Specialist for jancisrobinson.com.
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
Ferran is a WSET Diploma level graduate and Sommelier who has worked for the world-renowned El Bulli and is still owner Chef Ferran Adria's "wine guy" for his new project El Bulli 1846. Ferran received the WSET 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award. He also sits on judging panels at international wine competitions and is WSET Certified Educator.
Tinto Fino, Tinto Del País, Tinta De Toro, Tinto de Rioja and Cencibel — so many different names for just one grape! Tempranillo is intrinsically linked to the winemaking culture of Spain. Grown all over the country in varying names, you might not even know you are drinking a Tempranillo! To help us unravel the mystery of many names, today we are joined by Pedro Ballesteros, MW.
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
Based in Belgium, Pedro Ballesteros Torres, MW, holds a degree in Agronomical Engineering and a Masters in Viticulture and Oenology among his qualifications. Having studied around the world, he is a columnist at several papers and magazines in Belgium and Spain and consistently works to elevate Mediterranean grapes and wines on the world stage. He sits on many boards and councils including the Council for the Institute of Masters of Wine, and the Basque Culinary Centre's Wine Committee.
Wine regions around the world have seen a major shift in the last couple of decades, a shift that’s seen more women at the helm from making wine to running wineries (and more!). Any professional would agree that the judgement of their work should be on what they are able to accomplish around the world rather than their gender or any other characteristics. Wine regions around the world have seen this shift in culture, Spain being one at the forefront. There are so many amazing women influencing the wine industry in Spain, including our guest today, Almudena Alberca.
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
Almudena Alberca is the first woman in Spain to achieve the title of Master of Wine. After graduating in agricultural engineering, she continued her studies gaining a degree in oenology and a masters in viticulture. With more than 20 years of experience in the world of wine, Almudena has crafted premium wines from some of the finest terroirs in northwestern Spain. At Viñas de Cenit, she went from assistant winemaker to managing the entire winery. She also has much experience sourcing Spanish wines for the American market, overseeing the strategic development of wineries, launching new products, and developing training programs for sommeliers participating in both WSET and IMW students.
It’s champagne and cremant in France, sekt in Germany, sparkling wine in the new world, and in Spain, it’s Cava! Today we explore that wonderful range of sparkling wines from Spain, catch up on new developments, and learn about some maverick producers breaking the rules. Ever wondered what makes Cava unique, where or how it’s produced, why it’s so affordable, or the best food to pair with this wine? If so, this is a must-listen. In this episode, we are joined by Master of Wine Álvaro Ribalta who will be taking us on a tour of Cava!
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
Originally from Barcelona, Álvaro Ribalta moved to London in 2006 after completing his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. But like many in the wine business, his passion developed over the several years he spent working in restaurants and wine bars in London. To quench his thirst for learning, Álvaro began completing the WSET qualifications where he graduated at the Diploma level in 2014. Álvaro then decided his future was going to be in the wine industry and set a goal to become an MW (Master of Wine) which he achieved in 2020, becoming one of only 417 people to do so and one of only a handful of MW’s from Spain.
From Andalucía in Spain's southwest, sherry is one of the most well-known fortified wines. Within the region, we find Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Puerto de Santa Maria — together they form “The Sherry Triangle.” The wine region has a very unique terroir where land, environment, winemaking style come together to craft the many styles of sherry we get to explore in the glass!
This is Spain Uncorked, a Special Miniseries from Wine Pod.
César Saldaña is a native to the region. In his professional career, he has focused almost exclusively on international wine trade and commerce. For over fifteen years, he held various top management positions at González Byass and Sandeman wineries, overseeing both the Sherry Wine and Port Wine divisions. He is also an active member Spain's Food & Wine advisory group.
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