Description

Spain is one of the most amazing countries of the world and is leaving a revolution at the moment. Building on the rich heritage of Spanish viticulture, this session delves into the contemporary innovations and practices that are redefining the wine landscape in Spain. Participants will explore how traditional regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero have embraced modern techniques and varieties to enhance their global competitiveness. The session also highlights the resurgence of lesser-known areas such as Jumilla and Valdeorras, which are gaining international acclaim for their distinctive, high-quality wines. Through an in-depth analysis of new technologies, sustainable practices, and current market trends, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping the identity of Spanish wine in the 21st century. The webinar will be led by Almudena Alberca, Master of Wine, the first woman in Spain to achieve this prestigious title.

 About the speaker

Almudena Alberca MW is the first and, to date, the only woman in Spain to achieve the title of Master of Wine. 

An agricultural engineering graduate, she continued her studies to gain a further degree in oenology and a Master’s in viticulture. Her first harvest was in New Zealand at Vidal State, part of the Villa Maria group. Since then, she has travelled extensively through wine producing regions worldwide. 

Almudena began her career producing boutique wines in Viñas del Cenit, Zamora, Spain where she rose from Assistant Winemaker to manage the entire winery. She worked at Dominio de Atauta in Ribera del Duero where she played an integral role in shaping their wine styles and achieving international success. During this time, she was also the Spanish specialist for importer AvivaVino in New York, selecting and blending wines for this market. 

From 2015 to 2024, Almudena played an integral role at Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos as Technical Director, as well as being part of the Management Committee and a member of the Board of Directors. As such, she managed 400 Ha of vineyards and five wineries across Northern Spain, including Bodegas Cosme Palacio in Rioja, Viña Mayor in Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro, as well as setting up pioneering projects in Rias Baixas and Valdeorras. During these nine years, she was successful in increasing the overall quality of the wines, developing new wine styles, such as Secreto and Aeronauta, as well as creating a global biodiversity project as part of a long-term sustainability plan. 

Today she works as a consultant across Spain, as well as Brand Ambassador for the fine wine investment firm Oeno in the Spanish market. She also educates, is the school director in the  Escuela de vino y gastronomia of Valladolid, writes about wine for a number of specialist wine titles such as Sobremesa, and judges at international wine competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards.