Online Course - Made in Spain: The wines of Northern Spain

We are delighted to offer this one off 3 week online course in collaboration with our friends at the Norfolk Wine School, who are part of our national network of local wine schools.

From the comfort (and warmth) of your own home we will share the stories behind some amazing wines made in Northern Spain. Highlights include a comparative tasting of a Rioja vs a Ribera del Duero and the opportunity to meet Miguel Eguren from Bodegas Sierra Cantabria.

This interactive wine adventure will take you from the wet and wild west coast to the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, capital of Catalunya, on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline. Highlights of the series include two opportunities to ‘Meet the Maker’ – sessions in which representatives from wineries join you LIVE to taste their wines and answer your questions.

Friday 15th January - Session 1: ‘Green Spain’ & The North East
This is Spain, but not as you know it. While Spain is known mainly for its red wines with a good dollop of oak, the cooler-climate north-west or ‘Green Spain’ is famous for its tongue tingling white wines prized for their freshness and verve. You'll enjoy tasting a premium Albarino which captures the spirit of the region. As you head east and inland the climate becomes more continental so black grapes dominate. We will introduce the region of Leon and taste a wine with you made from the traditional black grape variety Prieto Picudo.

Friday 22nd Janaury - Session 2: Rioja vs Ribera del Duero
No course on Spain would be complete without paying respect to Tempranillo, the king of black grapes in Spain. While you may recognise it as the main grape of the Rioja region, nearby Ribera del Duero is challenging Rioja for the Tempanillo crown. We'll explain the differences between wines from the two regions and then you’ll enjoy a comparative tasting of a premium Rioja alongside a very special wine from Ribera del Duero. You'll be  joined by Miguel Eguren from the family owned Bodega, Sierra Cantabria who will share the secrets of their success. Which expression of the Tempranillo grape will you prefer?

Friday 29th January - Session 3: Catalan Classics
Cataluñya may not be the 1st region you think of when you think of wine from Spain, but this vast and varied region is home to two of Spain’s classic wine styles; Cava and Priorat. Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne and who better to explain what makes Cava so deliciously biscuity than a representative from leading Cava Producer Pere Ventura in the second ‘Meet the Maker’ of the course. Finally to complete your course on Northern Spain you’ll experience something very special, a wine made by former UK Sommelier of the Year, Franck Massard, who has cleverly applied his own creative flair and innovative approach to winemaking to the wines of one of the most traditional of Spanish regions, Priorat.

The wines for this course are an additional cost and can be ordered from our wine partner for this course, Great Wine Co. Your case will include the following six bottles of wine: