The latest Spaniard to become Master of Wine shares with SWL readers the findings of his research paper on the complex scenario of sparkling wines produced using the traditional method in the Catalan region of Penedès.

Sometimes one cannot see the wood for the trees. Which are the main singularities of Spanish wine that can used as a helpful guideline? We have listed six factors to avoid losing sight of the big picture.

Online retailers in Spain report an upsurge in wine purchases since the lockdown is in place. Tougher restrictions come into effect today but they will not affect their business.

The coronavirus outbreak has come at a bad time for the wine industry which was already suffering the effects of Brexit and the US tariffs. We have talked to analysts, producers, distributors and restaurant owners to have an overview of the situation.

Held in Madrid from the 1st to 3rd April, the I International Congress of Traditional Andalusian Wines was the scene of some fascinating tastings with discussions on the ups and downs of the category and musings about what the future will hold.

Leaving aside any trace of romance or impressive images, old vines (which are an important asset in Spain) are the guardians of biodiversity and a valuable source of solutions to deal with the challenges that winegrowers face in the 21st century.

We are delighted to share the conclusions of the research paper conducted on this subject by new Spanish Master of Wine Fernando Mora –we thank the Institute of Masters of Wine for grating us permission to publish them.

Even if the official seal is not due to be issued until next year, we reveal some of the sparkling wines pursuing the new Cava de Paraje Calificado category, which aims to set the new benchmark of quality in Spain’s most famous bubbly.

Zoning and land classification are contentious issues in Spain. Following the recent approval of a single-vineyard category for Cava, Rioja continues to discuss its future while other wine producing regions are going their own way.

With lights and shadows in the organisation, the International Exhibition of Noble Wines confirmed a new stage in the Sherry Triangle and renewed dynamism both from new producers and some of the leading wineries in the region.

It seems obvious that denominations of origin are meant to protect a wine region. Paradoxically, some producers in Spain do not feel comfortable in their DOs while others demand more differentiation, authenticity and attention to their needs.

If it’s been a while since you last tasted a wine from Catalonia’s Priorat, you may be surprised by how much fresher and approachable the wines feel these days. With diversity on the rise, we embark on a journey to discover Priorat’s true character

With some producers leaving the appellation and others seeking their own path, the regulatory board has announced a high-quality category for Cava. Despite the turmoil, there has never been so much diversity and good quality bubblies in Spain.