Spain is one of the most exciting wine-producing countries in the world right now, yet many of its most interesting stories remain surprisingly close to home.
With this new column, we want to take readers beyond the supermarket shelves and familiar labels to explore the wines, people and places shaping modern Spanish wine scene, beginning here in Alicante and Murcia before gradually travelling further across Spain.
Through wine, we will also discover the landscapes, gastronomy, traditions and local characters that give each region its identity, because wine is never just about what is in the glass. It is also about history, climate, family, village life and the culture that surrounds it.
Based in the north west of the Region of Murcia, we, Tony and Teresa, run Sense Experiences and spend much of our time visiting wineries, vineyards, restaurants and food producers across Spain. Over the years we have seen local wines from areas such as Alicante, Bullas and Jumilla gain increasing recognition both nationally and internationally, often while remaining overlooked in their own backyard.
In the months ahead we will meet winemakers, visit vineyards, explore local grape varieties such as Monastrell, and uncover some of the stories helping to shape the modern Mediterranean wine scene. Some columns may take us to bustling coastal cities, others to quiet rural villages where traditions still survive much as they always have.
Above all, we hope this column encourages readers to look at the wines and gastronomy of Spain, especially those found here in the south east, with fresh eyes and a deeper sense of connection to the places they come from.