Annabel, from England, is doing an internship at Catas Divertidas as part of a training project. Interested in Spanish wine culture, she interviews the founder, Dieter, about his career, the project and his passion for wine.
The surprise factor (spicy vermouth, Blanc de Noirs cava, underwater wine, techno red, Spanish ice wine…) and the fact that we’re not trying to sell wine. We focus on a friendly, stress-free tasting where no one needs credentials or prior experience to enjoy it.
Ancestral cava or Pet-Nat, for their freshness and very fruity, floral aromas.
Louis Claude Desvignes – Morgon Corcelette 2019, from Beaujolais. An explosion of red fruit on the nose and palate.
The recovery of minority grape varieties in the vineyards of Arribes del Duero. I’m fascinated that they’re uncovering many little-known varieties such as Puesta en Cruz, Mandón, Gajo Arroba, Tinto Jeromo, and Bruñal.
Begoña Jovellar Tempranillo 2022, from Ribera del Duero. A highly recommendable red.
A cloudy white still in full fermentation, paired with onion tart, or a Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) made from botrytized grapes, to enjoy on its own.
Diversity and contrast.
Without a doubt, at Boragó in Santiago de Chile. A fascinating pairing with wine, cider, and beer.
At a blind tasting I was given thirty attempts to guess the variety of a supposed white wine. I failed spectacularly: it wasn’t wine — it was mead!
There are many geniuses of winemaking in Spain. The risk is that when they become “stars,” like many top chefs, they get lost in multiple projects and lose touch with their roots.
I would push for greater transparency and simplification:
- Clearly state on the label if a wine was made using wood chips instead of barrel aging.
- Clarify confusing terms: ecological, organic, natural, biodynamic, sustainable, vegan, no added sulfites.
- Simplify the system of appellations (DOP, IGP, Vino de Pago, etc.) and drastically reduce their number to make it more accessible and less overwhelming.
Beer is sold as if every sip were the trailer of a blockbuster: famous faces, music-video aesthetics, and parties that could be broadcast live from Ibiza or a rooftop in New York. It’s all rhythm, lights, and perfect friends who never wake up early.
Wine, on the other hand, seems determined to talk about centuries-old tradition, visionary great-grandfathers, and a collection of medals from minor competitions. Wine, on the other hand, seems determined to talk about centuries-old tradition, visionary great-grandfathers, and a collection of medals from minor competitions.
For me, without a doubt, eating at Lera in Castroverde de Campos (Zamora) has been a unique experience. Game cuisine taken to excellence.
As a drink, I’d recommend Sentía. A real revolution. A blend of botanicals that lifts your mood without hangover or unwanted side effects.
And as a country to visit: Namibia. The Sossusvlei desert, the Himba, the Herero, the Bushmen with their click language, the safaris… a unique mix.
