Fifth edition of the Spanish Wine Educator course

The fifth edition of the Spanish Wine Educator Program led by ICEX and powered by The Wine Studio has gotten off to a great start! During the first three days of training, which took place at The Wine Studio here in Madrid, these future ambassadors of Spanish wines immersed themselves in a series of sessions guided by some of the country's top professionals and key players in the industry. Through a wide range of wine tastings, they explored recent trends in the industry, key grape varieties and regions, diverse viticulture and winemaking approaches, and gained a better understanding of the success behind some of the country's most well known brands.

These 15 participants are wine professionals from a wide range of countries, including Japan, the United States, Mexico, Serbia, Brazil and many others. Here is an overview of their exciting agenda:

DAY 1

1. Course Induction by the project leaders Maria Naranjo , Agrifood Industry Director at ICEX Food and Wines From Spain & Elisa Errea , Founder and Director at The Wine Studio
2. Spanish Wines in 2024. A discussion and tasting of current trends by Nygil Murrell Head of Study & Diploma Educator at The Wine Studio. Primitivo Collantes Itsasmendi Félix Callejo Zárate Bodegas Exopto
3. An in-depth look at Tempranillo through the lens of viticulture by manuel del rincón sanz , Co-owner and Viticulture Director at Bodegas Marta Maté. Remírez Ganuza, Bodegas Mazuela, #garagewine, Numanthia Moët Hennessy
4. Sherry and the south, Wine tasting and pairings with González Byass Bodegas Barbadillo S.A. and Bodegas Alvear at La Casita restaurant - En Copa de Balón, led by Sommelier Claudia Gozalbes Mendoza

DAY 2

1. Spanish Power Brands – Understanding the success of Spain’s high volume brands with Paco & Lola CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España Familia Torres VIÑA ALBALI RESERVAS SA Bodegas Protos Wine Intelligence (acquired by IWSR)
2. Spanish Iconic Wines. Marqués de Murrieta Estates & Wines Mas Doix Bodegas Barbadillo S.A. Pazo de Señorans, Dominio de Pingus and Culebrón. Both sessions were led by Ferran Centelles
3. Mediterranean wines. Terroir al Limit and Terroir sense Fronteres. Montsant and Priorat through the lens of altitude and the absence of oak, led by its Serbian oenologist Tatjana Peceric. #DominikHubert

DAY 3

1. Ebro River Valley & Pyrenees Wines by Nygil Murrell tasting Bodegas Frontonio Marqués de Murrieta Estates & Wines Viña Zorzal Wines Grupo La Rioja Alta, S.A. Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha Abel Mendoza
2. Atlantic Wines by Yolanda Ortiz de Arri tasting Oxer Bastegieta Zenigaonaindia Forjas del Salnés Luis Anxo Rodríguez Guímaro Puro Rofe Suertes del Marqués
3. Continental Spain with Sandra Bravo , oenologist at Sierra de Toloño, Villabuenade Álava, talking about Site expression in La Sonsierra, #DOCaRioja. And with Rafael Somonte , General Manager and winemaker at Dominio de Tares, San Román de Bembibre, León, focused on Understanding the evolution of Mencía and Godello in #DOBierzo.

We want to thank everyone who makes this project a reality year after year. For us, it’s both a challenge and a pleasure to be the hub where all of these professionals come together. On the one hand, we're continually impressed by the extensive knowledge that students from abroad have of Spain. On the other hand, we cannot say enough of the generosity shown by the speakers who cross the country to spend just a few hours with us each day, sharing their insights, their experience and their passion.

Our journey through Spanish wines continues this Thursday and Friday when we visit some of the country's top regions that include Gredos, Rueda, and Ribera del Duero.

We’ll share more details upon our return!

The Wine Studio Team