Ep 249 - Garnacha, Premium Cava, Bobal & Sherry: Spain’s New Wine Wave with Ellie Scott

Fresh back from Barcelona Wine Week, Janina is joined by Spanish wine expert and UK Sherry Ambassador Ellie Scott to unpack what’s really happening in Spain right now. From the Garnacha revival and the evolution of premium Cava to forgotten grape varieties like Bobal and Airén, this episode explores the exciting diversity of modern Spanish wine. And if you stay until the end, you’ll get a brilliant crash course in how to understand (and truly enjoy) Sherry. Shownotes 02:48 What it’s really like attending Barcelona Wine Week - 90 DOs and 1,300+ wineries. 03:44 90 Spanish DOs represented - how do you even approach tasting at that scale? 06:26 Rosé masterclass - modern Spanish rosado styles beyond the stereotype. 11:07 Garnacha’s revival - altitude, drought resistance and shedding its rustic past. 12:08 Garnacha plantings then vs now - why Tempranillo took over and why Garnacha is rising again. 16:08 Cava’s image problem - how premium categories (Cava de Guarda Superior) are reshaping perceptions. 18:26 Cava with food - why acidity, salt and texture make it a perfect pairing partner. 22:33 What is “Paraje Calificado”? Understanding Cava’s highest quality tier. 23:58 The shift toward quality - organic focus and long lees ageing. 24:41 Standout Cava producers - bottles that truly impressed. 27:02 Discovering DO Alella - Spain’s smallest DO and the grape Pansa Blanca. 29:19 ESWR early Pansa Blanca tasting video. 31:10 Xarel·lo beyond Cava - texture, skin contact and alternative winemaking styles. 33:04 Bodegas Cerrón & rediscovering Airén - from workhorse grape to serious wine. 36:40 Bobal explained - rustic reputation vs premium potential. 38:01 The use of tinajas (clay amphorae) in Utiel-Requena. 38:57 How to visit Utiel-Requena - flying into Valencia and heading inland. 40:02 Tasting Sherry at Barcelona Wine Week - including Diatomists. 40:36 ESWR previous episode featuring Diatomists. 42:11 Five facts about Sherry - dry styles, ageing under flor, food pairing power. 43:48 Cream Sherry vs Pedro Ximénez - sweetness, texture and gateway styles. 46:58 Fino vs Manzanilla - coastal ageing, flor and flavour differences. 48:51 Why Spain offers incredible stylistic diversity - sparkling, fortified, fresh reds and more. 49:14 ESWR episode on Palomino as a still wine. 49:51 Choosing your next Spanish wine - explore beyond Rioja and Albariño. 📩 Questions or feedback? [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Cheers to you! 🥂   THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot. RECOGNITION: – Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025) – Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025) – Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list