The Wines of Spain

Wine making in Spain has undergone more change in the last 25 years than in the whole of its 3,000 year history. With the help of grants from Brussels, vineyards have been re-planted and new wineries constructed in some of the country’s remotest corners. There has also been much experimentation and innovation. As elsewhere in Europe, lessons have been learnt from the New World but inherent respect for the traditions of the past and a strong sense of regional identity have ensured that this has been a very Spanish revolution.

This course is designed to help you gain an appreciation of the wines of the ‘New Spain’.

The course consists of five two-hour sessions.

The Session topics are:-

• The North West + Spanish Sparkling Wine
  In this session, we start by giving you an overview of Spain’s wine producing regions. We then look at the distinctive wines of the cool north-west or “Green Spain”, such as Bierzo, Chacoli, Rias Baixas and Somontano. In this session, you will also learn how Cava, the famous sparkling wine of Spain is produced.
• The North East
  Cataluna was the first of Spain’s wine producing regions to introduce modern methods of viticulture and vinification. You will taste wines from Alella, Costers del Segre, Monsant, Penedes, Priorat and Tarragona.
• Rioja & Navara
  Rioja is the pre-eminent wine region of Spain. We look the reasons for this, tasting examples of old and new style wines from top producers. You will also taste wines from Rioja’s eastern neighbour, Navarra.
• The Centre
  Some of Spain’s most fashinable wines are produced in hard continental climate of the centre of the country. You will taste examples from Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro.
• The South
  In this session you will taste wines from the inland regions of La Mancha, Valdepenas and the coastal regions around Valencia. You will also learn how the fortified wines of Jerez, Montilla and Malaga are made.

A comprehensive course manual is provided.