Speakers’ Corner by AECOC – BWW HUB

A unique tasting celebrating female excellence and winemaking artistry. Discover exceptional wines crafted by extraordinary women. A sensory experience that connects history, terroir, and authenticity from the top national appellations, with wines signed and presented by women themselves.

White wine is consumed more and is more popular than in a few years. It has a much greater role in the market. Red wines are consumed less and those that are successful are lighter, with less alcohol content and less intensity. What has caused this change in trend? Does this represent a certain revolution in white wine or are we simply in a recurring cyclical moment? Is it a fashion or does it respond to a deeper trend?

Coinciding with the CENTENARY celebrations of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin in 2025, this tasting will take a tour of the historic region, showcasing wines from CENTENARY VINEYARDS and OLD VINEYARDS over 50 years old from the DOCa Rioja. The wines to be tasted also take a tour of the three areas of the Denomination (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental) and their very diverse styles.

Increasingly extreme weather events, rising temperatures, drought, etc, affect vineyards and especially the most delicate and fragile plants. Old vines are the least productive but they are the most prized and valuable for wineries. But how does climate change affect them? Are they more vulnerable to extreme weather events? What techniques and care are most appropriate to face the challenge of climate change?

Discover the Denomination of Origin Terra Alta through the expertise and perspective of Pedro Ballesteros, Master of Wine, with a selection of the most representative wines from the DO Terra Alta. Grenaches and Carignans that reveal their complexity through extended aging and vintage wines.  

The activity requires prior  registration at comunicacions@doterraalta.cat.

Isabel Mijares Awards Ceremony by Mujeres de Vino for the best women oenologist, sommelier, viticulturist, woman of the year, communicator, winery manager, salesperson...

Only 15 years ago, social media had not become popular and wine recommendations were made through the specialized press, professional guides and blind tasting contests. They were few and had an extreme influence. A good score could be decisive for a winery and was very important for positioning itself in the market. Now there are more specialized media, more contests and more rankings that coexist with prescribers with their own channels on social networks. What effect does the atomization of the prescription have on the consumer? And on the wineries? Is it still decisive to appear in guides, win contests, etc?

A dialogue between Designations of Origin, winemakers, international prescriptors and international buyers to talk about the importance of the international reverse missions and international commissions as a great international projection (commercial and positioning) of Spanish wine, delving into what international prescriptors and buyers are looking for and expect from these visits, as well as the continuity after the visit.

Spain's top sommelier María José Huertas junto con Diego Vejas Barbolla y David Robledo - los top 3 sumilleres en España en 2024 - come together with Agustin Trapero to celebrate the launch of the annual Top 100 Sommeliers ranking 2025 at Barcelona Wine Week.

Chaired by Charlotte Hey, co-founder of Top 100 Sommeliers  global will lead the discussion on the importance of  sommeliers in the restarant sector, their role and why it is crucial to celebrate and recognise the excellence of wine service in Spanish restarants today.

A renowned sommelier will lead an exclusive masterclass for 25 participants, including media representatives and wine industry professionals from the United States. This event, organized as part of the European Union-funded campaign Taste the Difference, will offer attendees a guided tasting of carefully selected wines from various wine regions of Catalonia, highlighting their unique qualities and rich cultural heritage

Launching a wine-making project is not easy, it has a very high economic cost and high risks. To minimize these risks, new models are emerging to create new wineries. There are collective projects that are inspired by old agricultural cooperatives and also winery nurseries, public or private, that offer entrepreneurs the possibility of starting with more controlled risks.

During the Hotel Wine Fest (January 22 - February 5), the chefs of 8 hotels in Barcelona will create tapas and dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of 8 Denominations of Origin, paired with their wines. A professional jury will award the “Maridaje Alimentos de España” Award to the most outstanding proposal. Additionally, the hotel with the highest public rating will receive the Best Experience Award.

Participants: DO Cava (El Palace Barcelona), DO Rueda (Cotton House), DO Utiel-Requena (Majestic Hotel), DO Alicante (Monument Hotel), DO Valencia (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona), DO Jumilla (Grand Hotel Central), DO Yecla (Kimpton Vividora), and DO Bullas (Hotel Neri). More info: hotelwinefest.com