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The women who are breaking ground in grape growing

Amaya Cervera | March 7th, 2024

Viticulture has transcended its traditional male-dominated status. We talk to six leading female professionals in grape farming: a wine grower, a consultant, a head of viticulture, an estate manager, a multi-talented wine professional and a researcher.

People 2024-03-07 06:03:25

People

The human factor in Sherry and Montilla, by Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | June 15th, 2022

The tasting offered by this duo at Vinoble 2022 aroused the usual expectation that often accompanies them and focused on eight people who have changed the rules of the game in traditional Andalusian wines from the 18th century to the present day.

People 2022-06-15 05:06:03

People

Obituary: Alejandro Fernández (1932-2021), founder of Pesquera

Amaya Cervera | May 24th, 2021

The legendary Castilian producer, who converted the type of reds he loved to drink into the style that went on to define Ribera del Duero, died at the age of 88 in Santander. With his passing, a whole era of Spanish wine comes to an end.

People 2021-05-24 01:05:57

People

“As long as there is a surplus of grapes, it will be difficult to lift the image of Cava”

Amaya Cervera | July 24th, 2020

Following Cava’s announcement last week of a long-awaited territorial division and tougher quality requirements, we interview Javier Pagés, president of the Cava Board. He talks of changes and unveils further details about the new regulation.

People 2020-07-24 07:07:30

People

José Peñín: “Balance is my one and only rule; I accept everything else”

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | April 22nd, 2020

In this long interview, the dean of wine publishing in Spain talks about his early days, the challenges for Spanish wine in the world, his activity on social media, the coronavirus crisis and his memoirs, who promise to ruffle a few feathers.

People 2020-04-22 11:04:56

People

Obituary: Carlos Falcó, a great pioneer of Spanish wine

Amaya Cervera | March 22nd, 2020

The first coronavirus victim in the Spanish wine industry, Carlos Falcó brought New Word viticulture techniques to his country and boosted quality wines in Castilla-La Mancha.

People 2020-03-22 10:03:04

People

Which Spanish wines are chefs into?

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | December 20th, 2019

Many chefs seem to lack interest in wine, but we wanted to talk to some of those who do show sensitivity to the liquid side and ask them to recommend us some of their favorite wines.

People 2019-12-20 02:12:10

People

The new faces of Ribera del Duero (and II)

Amaya Cervera | February 12th, 2019

In the second of a two-part series on the latest developments in Ribera del Duero, we focus on new projects launched by experienced winemakers, both from the area itself and from other wine producing regions in Spain.

People 2019-02-12 07:02:36

People

The new faces of Ribera del Duero (I)

Amaya Cervera | January 28th, 2019

In the first of a two-part series on the latest and most exciting developments in Ribera del Duero we look at wineries that have reinvented themselves, young, terroir-driven producers and new projects set up by experienced winemakers.

People 2019-01-28 07:01:10

People

The challenges ahead: “Rural areas, medium-range wines and the cultural sphere”

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | November 13th, 2018

With their global vision of the wine trade, Masters of Wine Pedro Ballesteros, Andreas Kubach and Fernando Mora went through the challenges and problems that Spanish wines need to overcome at the 13th International Wine Forum in Logroño.

People 2018-11-13 02:11:16

People

“Sherry is not as exciting as we are led to believe”

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 25th, 2018

From his Bodega Cigaleña in Santander, Andrés Conde Laya has been —and still is— a pioneer in discovering uncharted wine paths. Independent and with his own personal views, Conde Laya talks candidly with SWL about wine in Spain.

People 2018-09-25 09:09:06

People

Almudena Alberca, the first Spanish woman to become MW

Amaya Cervera | August 31st, 2018

Winemaker at Viña Mayor in Ribera del Duero and at two other wineries in the Bodegas Palacios group, she is the first Spanish woman to join the Institute of Masters of Wine. Alberca is one of the 10 new members announced today.

People 2018-08-31 09:08:54

People

On the trail of minerality with Pedro Parra and Comando G

Amaya Cervera | May 22nd, 2018

Although scientists deny a direct link between soil components and wine flavours, Chilean terroir consultant Pedro Parra helps producers like Comando G in Gredos and others across the world to bottle the essence that lies deep under the vines.

People 2018-05-22 09:05:22

People

“The wine business owes a lot to artisan producers”

Amaya Cervera | April 16th, 2018

The first edition of Muestra 2018, a tasting hosted by wine distributor Cuvée 3000 in Madrid last week, gave us the chance to interview Joan Valencia, organizer of the event and one of the most enthusiastic champions of natural wine in Spain.

People 2018-04-16 10:04:32

People

Who is who in Mallorca’s wine scene

Amaya Cervera | February 27th, 2018

This is the second piece on our Mallorca series including profiles of the most relevant producers in the island with a focus on key aspects of their philosophy, working methods and wine styles.

People 2018-02-27 11:02:18

People

“My dream is to compete on equal terms with Champagne”

Amaya Cervera | January 20th, 2017

After his New York adventure, Pepe Raventós, Penedès’ 'enfant terrible' since he left the DO Cava, has returned home to go back to his roots and “practice instead of seeking.” He talked to SWL about his plans and his vision of life now.

People 2017-01-20 09:01:45

People

Destemming grapes with Abel Mendoza in Rioja

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | October 18th, 2016

This Rioja producer, who embodies the concept of a Burgundian vigneron working his land to make honest wines, show us how he makes his Tempranillo Grano a Grano and his philosophy of life, which is based on terroir and respect for the environment.

People 2016-10-18 09:10:11

People

Leading wine producers in Terra Alta

Amaya Cervera | September 27th, 2016

After our recent piece about this Catalan region, focused primarily on Garnacha, we have profiled some of its most interesting winegrowers. This is our particular vision on who’s who in Terra Alta.

People 2016-09-27 08:09:37

People

“Sherry has been badly mistreated”

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | April 19th, 2016

Juan Ruiz Henestrosa is head sommelier at Aponiente, a two-Michelin starred restaurant on the cutting edge of Spanish gastronomy. Sensitive and passionate, Juan has managed to put Sherry at the same level as chef Ángel León’s celebrated dishes.

People 2016-04-19 09:04:55

People

Xavier Ausàs: “I don’t forget that I’ve made a name thanks to Vega Sicilia”

Amaya Cervera | August 20th, 2015

The Spanish wine world has been rocked by the news of Xavier Ausàs departure from Vega Sicilia. SWL has talked to him about his time at this iconic winery and his plans for the future.

People 2015-08-20 03:08:09

People

A new generation of brave producers in Rioja (and II)

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri | April 21st, 2015

They are young and talented and they all fight to get their wines to mirror the terroir they come from. This is the second part in the series about some of the figures shaping the future in Rioja.

People 2015-04-21 10:04:30

People

A new generation of brave producers in Rioja (I)

Amaya Cervera | April 8th, 2015

They are young, energetic and set on making wines in their own style. In this two-part piece, we talk to some of the new faces that are likely to shape the future of Rioja.

People 2015-04-08 06:04:30

People

Touching wine heaven with Vega Sicilia

Amaya Cervera | December 24th, 2014

We have asked some leading figures in the world of wine to recall their most enduring memories of Vega Sicilia on the year this legendary winery celebrates its 150th anniversary.

People 2014-12-24 01:12:31

People

Zev Robinson films wine as an agricultural product

Amaya Cervera | November 24th, 2014

His documentaries eschew glamour and actively seek what lies beneath wine, often in isolated rural environments. For Robinson, wine is an agricultural product, not an object of desire.

People 2014-11-24 12:11:50

People

Jean-Guillaume Prats is a Spanish wine lover

Amaya Cervera | October 8th, 2014

The CEO of Estates & Wines, the LVMH luxury group’s wines division, visited Madrid last week for the launch of a new vintage of Numanthia. We got the chance to talk to him about Spanish wine.

People 2014-10-08 10:10:43

People

Peter Sisseck, portrait of a mature winemaker

Amaya Cervera | September 16th, 2014

This article is linked to the first post in our Photoblog. Pepe Franco is the author of an extensive photographic report about Peter Sisseck, the Danish winemaker behind Pingus in Ribera del Duero and a leading figure in Spanish wine.

People 2014-09-16 10:09:36