Spanish Wine Specialist™

October 18th to December 13th, from 4 to 6 pm. No class on November 22nd.

Spain is a cornerstone in wine education. In this advanced certification program, students will explore the depth and diversity of Spanish wine on a regional level, with weekly deep dives into historic zones, modern revivalists, and essential benchmarks. Designed as part of the National Wine School’s Advanced and Master certification tracks, the Spanish Wine Specialist course offers a comprehensive understanding of one of the world’s great wine nations, far beyond the cursory treatment it receives in most U.S.-based programs.

Over eight weeks, students will examine each major region through guided tastings, historical context, and structured comparative analysis. Each class features essential wines—some iconic, others rare—and highlights the cultural and viticultural forces that make Spain one of the most dynamic wine-producing countries in the world.

This program covers not only what’s in the glass, but why it matters—pairing deep technical knowledge with a narrative understanding of history, winemaking, and regional identity.

Class Sessions Include:

1. Green Spain
   Galicia and Bierzo – white wines of altitude and rain, native grapes, and the Atlantic’s edge.
2. The Duero River
   Toro, Rueda, and Ribera del Duero – the many faces of Tempranillo, continental extremes, and Spain’s iconic estates.
3. The Kingdom of Aragon & Catalonia
   Aragon, Priorat, Penedès – Mediterranean reds, revivalist Garnacha, and Cava’s shifting identity.
4. The Basque Frontier
   País Vasco and Navarra – high-acid whites, Atlantic rosado, and the frontier between tradition and independence.
5. La Rioja: Tradition & Revolution
   The benchmark region—analyzing oak aging regimes, modernists vs. classicists, and Rioja’s evolving terroir map.
6. Meseta to Mediterranean
   From Madrid to La Mancha, Murcia, and Valencia – altitude, aridity, and the rediscovery of Monastrell, Bobal, and Garnacha.
7. Southern Spain & The Islands
   Andalucía and the Canary Islands – Sherry in all its forms, volcanic wines, and the future of ancient viticulture. Includes curated tapas pairings.
8. Portugal
   Douro, Dão, Bairrada – a look across the border at Spain’s Iberian sibling, rich with indigenous grapes and layered terroir.

This program is recommended for students pursuing the Advanced or Master-level certifications. Seats are limited to ensure depth of discussion and quality of tasting selections.