If you want to find our more about the Wines from Spain tasting take place in June you can go to its website site here.
The Wines from Spain tasting is back – can you tell us what we can expect?
Buyers can taste wines from across 60 of Spain’s DOs at its tastings in London and Glasgow in June
You can expect an incredible selection of Spanish wines, from a total of 60 DOs, presented by 48 exhibitors eager to show their portfolios to the UK trade and press. This year we are hosting live tasting events in London (June 28) and in Glasgow (June 20). For those unable to join us in these two cities, we will be sending out samples so they can taste from home or the office.
Any particular themes, regions and styles you are looking to promote?
With over 870 wines, all styles, regions and price points are represented. The strength of Spain as a wine producing nation is the diversity of its offering as well as the incredible innovation found both in classic and up and coming regions. We invite visitors to delve deep and discover new varietals, new DOs, new names. If we had to give a few pointers, we would encourage visitors to explore the wide range of organic and biodynamic wines, to re-visit Spanish sparkling wines and explore the range of white wines on show.
How many producers do you have coming over and from any particular regions?
We have 240 wineries represented at the tasting, including 18 bodegas seeking distribution in the UK. Producers are from all corners of Spain, from north to south, west to east, plain to mountain, coast to inland.
Any masterclasses for people to sign up to – do you have the details?
We will host two masterclasses in both Glasgow and London.
In Glasgow at the Royal College of Physicians on June 20 we have:
New Era Spain, presented by Rose Murray Brown MW, 12pm-1pm.
Discover Spain’s dynamic wine scene where a new ambitious generation of winemakers are pushing the boundaries, untapping the potential of lesser-known regions with an innovative approach and creating diverse new styles with fabulous purity and freshness.
Green Spain, presented by Miguel Crunia, 3pm-4pm.
Explore the North of Spain with Miguel Crunia and taste a selection of fresh whites and light reds from Galicia, Bierzo and Txakolí. Stretching from the North-West corner of Spain to the East along the coast of the Bay of Biscay towards the Pyrenees, this is where the Atlantic wind and rain make themselves felt to produce elegant and crisp Spanish wines with unique character.
London, Lindley Hall, June 28
Sarah Jane Evans MW will present a masterclass on Ribera del Duero at Wines of Spain’s London event in June
Ribera del Duero – the different faces of Tinto Fino, presented by Sarah Jane Evans MW, 11am – 11.45am & 2.30pm-3.15pm.
On the 40th anniversary of the DO, Sarah Jane Evans MW presents a masterclass and tutored tasting exploring Ribera del Duero’s ability to transform Tempranillo into some of Spain’s longest lived and most revered reds. She will take a look at recent developments and the new wines now making their way on to consumer tables.
Spain’s white revival, presented by Sam Caporn MW, 12.30pm-1.15pm.
Spanish whites are at the forefront of the modern winemaking revolution that makes Spain one of the most exciting wine producing nations in the world. Sam Caporn MW presents a selection of premium whites showcasing the innovation of Spanish winemakers who tirelessly champion home-grown talent, local varieties and unique terroirs.
Who do you hope the tasting will attract and be most relevant for?
We have wines destined for all sectors of the UK wine trade. We have a large selection of on-trade specific wines for example, which sommeliers can come and discover. We also have a range of off-trade listed wines as well as selections for independent merchants or online retailers. Our searchable online catalogue allows all visitors to pre-select the wines that are relevant to them, and that they are going to want to taste on the day. They can build their own, bespoke, digital catalogue which they will be able to access from their computer in the office and from their phone/tablet at the tasting. We are going paperless and won’t be printing catalogues anymore.
How are Spanish wine exports doing in the main and to the UK in particular?
Exports of Spanish wine are going well, both generally and specifically to the UK. The covid pandemic caused a fall in total exports in 2020, however exports to the UK have remained strong and in 2021 exports to the UK by value were at their highest in 20 years (despite a small fall in volume).
Exports of Spanish Wine 2000-2021 (Value €)
Source: Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, España
Exports of Spanish Wine 2000-2021 (volume m/l)
Source: Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, España
Any particular trends you can pick out of what wines, regions and styles are doing well in the UK?
There is a lot of excitement around Spanish wines – the vast diversity of styles on offer ensures there is a Spanish wine for all occasions, be it from well-known regions or those that have not always been available in the UK and are now making their way onto wine lists and retailer offerings.
More generally, the main wine regions exported to the UK are: as follows:
Spanish wine exports to the UK by DOP (million litres 2019/2020)
DOP Exports to UK % Exports to UK Total Exports % Total Exports Rioja 32,81 40,9% 99,10 22,2% Cava 15,06 18,8% 120,01 26,9% Jerez-Xérès-Sherry 8,06 10,1% 17,57 3,9% Utiel-Requena 5,08 6,3% 16,17 3,6% Cataluña 3,58 4,5% 15,70 3,5% Cariñena 3,05 3,8% 18,94 4,2% Rias Baixas 2,11 2,6% 8,25 1,8% Valdepeñas 1,80 2,2% 16,74 3,7% Valencia 1,64 2,0% 24,33 5,4% Campo de Borja 1,48 1,8% 7,37 1,7% Jumilla 1,39 1,7% 14,04 3,1% Navarra 0,92 1,1% 9,43 2,1% La Mancha 0,90 1,1% 20,15 4,5% Ribera del Duero 0,40 0,5% 7,30 1,6% Rueda 0,40 0,5% 9,68 2,2% Others 1,53 1,9% 41,89 9,4% Total 80,22 100,0% 446,68 100,0%
Source: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, España
Do you have any other activity planned for 2022?
It has been a busy start to the year.After a two-year hiatus we are delighted to return to ‘in-person’ events for our Annual Tasting, as well as relaunch the Wines from Spain Awards competition (which highlights the very best Spanish wines currently available to the UK trade and press).
Looking ahead to Autumn 2022, our Eat Spain Drink Spain campaign, designed to help food and drink retailers around the UK discover more about the fabulous diversity and superb quality of Spanish wines and foods, is currently in the planning stages.
We also look forward to welcoming the new members to the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino at our Annual Investiture Dinner in October 2022.
- To register for the Wines for Spain tastings in London (June 28) and Glasgow (June 20) then click here.
