Sarah Jane Evans MW and Pablo Alvarez (of Vega Sicilia fame) were bestowed the honour of becoming Caballeros last night at the Gran Orden of Caballeros’ 26th investiture, taking place in central London. 

Spain’s winemakers are starting to relax after a short and often challenging harvest. However, while the condition of the grapes caused some sleepless nights due to the lack of water and high temperatures, especially in August, the results are now pleasantly surprising for many bodegas.  

photo courtesy of La Rioja Alta

WINES FROM SPAIN AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY

 The Ambassador of Spain, His Excellency D Carles Casajuana and his wife Dña. Margarita Massanet, hosted a cultural evening devoted to The National Gallery's current exhibition 'The Sacred Made Real - Spanish painting and sculpture 1600-1700'.   

The Ambassador of Spain, His Excellency D Carles Casajuana and his wife Dña. Margarita Massanet, hosted a glittering evening of Picasso’s art and Spanish wine at the National Gallery.   The reception, sponsored by Wines from Spain, saw Ambassadors from around the world, along with the great and good of the UK Spanish community, politicians and national journalists being treated to a private view of Picasso’s works with the theme ‘Challenging the Past’. 

The trade and press were out in force last week at the 20^th Annual Wines from Spain Fair.  With the promise of over 1500 wines from 57 DOs and 427 producers, the 89 companies exhibiting represented the largest event ever staged by Wines from Spain in recent years 

Oz Clarke and Telmo Rodriguez have been bestowed the greatest honour in Spanish wine by becoming this year’s new incumbents in the Gran Orden del Caballeros.

Arguably the most influential artist of the twentieth century, a one off exhibition of the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, takes place at The National Gallery between February and June this year under the theme 'Picasso: Challenging the Past'. Displaying some 60 works by the artist, this exhibition invites visitors to re-explore the National Gallery's permanent collection in light of Picasso's fascination with the Old Masters.

Spain's commitment to quality wine production has been borne out by no fewer than four new Denominación d'Origens earning their stripes during 2008. All located in the huge political region of Castilla y León, they are as follows: Tierra de León, Arlanza, Tierra del Vino de Zamora and Arribes.

Wines from Spain sponsored the launch in London of Ferran Adrià's new book - a Day at El Bulli'. Hailed as the world's greatest chef with the world's best restaurant his much acclaimed book was launched at the Spanish Embassy.

Not unlike 2007, it was a cool year across the Spanish wine regions. The weather conditions, especially a very wet May and low summer temperatures, slowed ripening and caused the harvest to run late, very late in some cases – in Rioja and Priorat grapes were still being picked in mid November.