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How I fell in love with Spanish wine – Nine insiders share their Proustian memories

Nine industry leaders and opinion makers share the first, memory-evoking wine moment that catalysed their passion for, and specialism in, all things Spain – that taste that shaped their personal and professional paths.
Ines Salpico Ines Salpico

Those of us who work in and with Spanish wine go on, passionately and relentlessly, about how exciting the Spanish wine scene is, how it has evolved dramatically in the last two decades and how it is home to some of the world’s (often overlooked) standout producers – those now crafting the present and future classics.

This relentlessness is driven by an ever renewed sense of wonder: discovering Spanish wine is an ongoing journey, punctuated by reliable favourites and offbeat surprises, never predictable and always enjoyable.

The country’s history, geology and topography have given rise to terroir diversity and viticultural singularity – amplified by equally diverse, vibrant communities of growers and winemakers.

The urge to convert those who roam the world unaware of Spain’s wine riches stems from the fact that we too once lived in darkness. Until a bottle, visit or encounter opened our eyes and palates – forever changing, in many cases, personal and professional trajectories.

Some found themselves living in Spain, either temporarily or permanently, and building businesses and families on Spanish soil. Others have become leading voices in Spanish wine production, trade and education.

We asked Decanter contributors, Decanter World Wine Awards judges, winemakers, buyers and restaurateurs about that one pivotal bottle that marked a ‘before and after’ in their personal Spanish wine journeys, and to which they return for delicious nostalgia.

Think of it as their Proustian wine madeleine moment, imbued with Spanish hedonism. Here’s how and why they fell in love with Spain, its wines and its people.

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