spanish wines

Join us on an intoxicating journey through Spain, as we follow the story of our guest, Sophie Martin, an American who initially traveled to Spain to learn Spanish but ended up falling in love with the culture, the people, and to her surprise, the wine. With Sophie, we explore the world of Spanish wines and the rich culture that surrounds it, highlighting her transformation from a non-drinker to a Toro wine enthusiast. Get ready to be inspired by her account of stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing a new way of life.

Navigating through the Spanish healthcare system, discovering fascinating food culture, and adopting a 'work to live' philosophy, Sophie shares what it’s like to adapt to a completely different lifestyle. Experience the Spanish way of life through Sophie's eyes as she paints a vivid picture of siestas after hearty lunches, and the fusion of American food with Spanish cuisine. We also delve deep into the profound cultural differences between the US and Spain, a comparison that will give you a taste of true Spanish culture.

Lastly, we summarize the last days of our trip to Spain, from discussing the vineyards of the Galicia region with Joaquin from Alan de Val. From a unique wine tasting experience to fascinating stories about Spain's wine history and the revival of old Spanish varietals, get ready for an intriguing adventure. We wrap up with highlights and final thoughts from our trip. 

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Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
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Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Wines: Finca Villalobillos Pampana Blanca and Pie Franco and La Cueva Colora

Get ready to be transported to Spain's wine region, La Mancha, as we navigate the vineyards of Bodegas Garcia de Lara. We promise you a unique journey full of rich flavors, love of family and preservation of a legacy. Be prepared to have your taste buds tantalized as we introduce you to their signature wines, including the gastronome's delight- the Pie Franco.

Our journey takes an intriguing turn as we delve into the heart of their vineyards and winery.  We taste a wine variety described as a mix of Granacha and Pinot Noir that captivates with a deep, rich purple color and a fruit-forward flavor. Maria tells  us of their organic methodologies, the complexities of barrel fermentation, and the family's rich winemaking history. As we uncover the treasure of their ancestral home, you can almost taste the legacy they've worked to revive.

We wrap up our adventure with discussion of the importance of community in the wine region of La Mancha as we are joined by Maria's brother Miguel. Amidst conversations about the variety of  grapes nurtured in their vineyards, we highlight their single vineyard  wine offerings. We discuss how their family has preserved their old vines in the face of higher yield production's allure. 

So, tune in and raise a glass to Spanish winemaking traditions, family legacies, and the love for great wines.

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About Us

Buy us a Mimosa!

We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
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Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Wines: Leyenda del Paramo: El Aprendiz Blanco, Rosé and El Médico Red

Pack your bags, wine enthusiasts! We're taking you on an exciting journey to Spain's León region, where we've discovered Leyenda del Paramo. This isn't just any ordinary winery tour - we've had the marvelous privilege of being guided by none other than Pedro Gonzalez. This episode will quench your thirst for knowledge about the authentic and sustainable winemaking practices of Leyenda del Paramo, while savoring the distinctive flavors of their wines.

We begin with the unique Albarin Blanco grape, the shining star of Leyenda del Paramo's El Aprendiz white wine. Pedro shares a wealth of knowledge about this gem that gives El Aprendiz its distinctive flavor. As you virtually sip on the El Aprendiz Rosé wine, made from the rare Prieto Picudo grape, we delve into the challenges of maintaining a winery in these times and the essential role of sustainability in the vineyard. We end tasting their 2015 El Médico red wine, a masterpiece crafted from the unique Prieto Picudo grape.

But our journey doesn't end there. Pedro takes us further into the winery, revealing the secret behind their El Médico wine - the rare Prieto Picudo grape. This endangered species, grown only in this part of Spain, gives the El Médico wine an exclusive flavor profile, bursting with notes of berries, balsamic, minerals, and spice. Pedro shares the painstakingly manual and eco-friendly process that goes into making El Médico, truly a testament to the winery's commitment to sustainability.

Join us on this unforgettable journey as we unravel the stories behind the wines of Leyenda del Paramo.

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About Us

Buy us a Mimosa!

We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
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Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Wines: Bigardo, Satelite, Pellejo Vino Tinto de Parcela, & Maldito Parné

In this episode, we  meet Kiko Calvo,  the owner of Bodegas Bigardo, who made his winemaking dream a reality. We are captivated by his journey beginning with his family's plot of land to the manifestation of his very own winery.  He tells us of his worldwide travels where he honed his winemaking skills, and shares the mystery behind the symbol on his wine label that tells a tale of his origins in Toro. Kiko's inspiring story, highlighting the courage it takes to forge your own path in the competitive world of wine business, will spark your own aspirations.

In the heart of Spain lies Toro, a magnificent region that offers an extraordinary landscape for vineyards. Kiko brings to life the richness of this land and its old vines that have been home to the Tinto de Toro. He opens up about his commitment to promoting the Toro brand, the globalized wine war, and the stark differences between European and American markets. This episode introduces you to last year's vintage with its extreme weather conditions and how the resilient plants braved the challenge.

Ever wondered how each wine label offers a unique taste to your palate? Kiko's four wine labels, all crafted with 100% Tinto de Toro grapes, present a unique blend of flavors. Making us privy to his 100% human'concept, he reveals how a winery making 50,000 bottles differs from one making 5 million bottles.

After visiting his tasting room,  vineyards & winery, we sit at barrel tables next to the Duero River and sample his wines.  We discuss their flavours, acidity, and versatility.

Listen today and let your imagination take you to Toro with us.

Stay in the know and join our WTF Cru.

About Us

Buy us a Mimosa!

We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
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Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Spanish Palate Secret Cellar Lote #1 and 2020 El Alma de Gildo 

This is part two of our reconnecting conversation with Nicola Thornton of Spanish Palate. 

In keeping with the Secret Cellar wine, we spill soooo many secrets in this ep - we taped this one before it was announced but we discuss the recent announcement of a huge recognition/award Spanish Palate won for their work shining a light on Spanish wine growers and producers.  AND we share that this summer, we will actually be connecting IN PERSON with Nicola in SPAIN to journey through the Toro wine region with her to meet some of the wine growers and makers there. This is an opportunity we CANNOT wait to share with you all. 

 Nicola tells us about Spanish Palate’s Secret Cellar  wine series and that special wine she told us about back in 2020 made in honor of her adoptive Spanish grandfather, Alma de Gildo, which we were so excited to try.  Listen today to hear about these wines!!


Stay in the know and join our WTF Cru.

About Us

Buy us a Mimosa!

We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
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Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Wines Garcia de Lara 2020 Finca Villalobillos Pie Franco & 2019 La Cueva Colora Cencibel

Today we are happy to welcome back Nicola Thornton of Spanish Palate. We are thrilled to welcome another return guest as we reconnect and deepen our relationships with those we have met so far on our Wines To Find journey.

We first interviewed Nicola in Year One for episodes 36, 41, and 48. Often when we are interviewed, submit our podcast for awards or just tell people about the episodes that really resonated with us, our conversations with Nicola stand out. 

We were so happy to have Nicola back to talk about what’s new with Spanish Palate.  Nicola is such a great story-teller and advocate for Spanish vignerons and wines, it's always a treat to talk with her! This time, she shares the story of Garcia de Lara, their wines and more ~~ Listen today!

Stay in the know and join our WTF Cru.

About Us

Buy us a Mimosa!

We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
our social media pages
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/winestofindpodcasts/
Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle

Looking for a new white wine to try?!? We have just the wine for you! Most famously from the Rias Baixas area in the Galicia region of Spain, this zippy wine is perfect for the white wine lover in your life - especially if that person is you! You may have started seeing this wine on store shelves and thought “I wonder what that tastes like?” Wonder no more! In this episode, we talk about, taste, and review three Albariño wines, two from Spain, and one from Oregon, and we’ll let you know what we think about how they taste and if they are worth your hard earned money! We also talk about why white wines are sometimes not as highly regarded as red wines, and what makes the region that comes from Albariño so special. Hint - it rains a lot in Galicia! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Condes De Albarei Albariño, 2021 Abacela Albariño, and 2020 Laxas Rias Baixas Albariño. 

Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you!

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Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com

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.

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 this episode, Sandy & Michelle taste two Spanish wines, a tempranillo and a verdejo, while discussing the wine growing regions of Northern and Central Spain. As the seasons move from winter to spring, Sandy & Michelle check in with their goal progress, wines tasted count (wow!) and discuss future goals for Wines To Find.

 Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family.
To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit
our social media pages
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/winestofindpodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/winestofindpodcasts/
Til the next glass ~ Cheers!
And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!
Sandy & Michelle