Winerim Academy

Sommelier Corner

At Winerim Academy, all our experts speak. Sommeliers and wine directors from the most important restaurants, hotels, wine bars, distributors, and wineries.

FeaturedOctober 6, 2025

Xavier Valenzuela: taste with your heart

A 2024 interview with Xavier Valenzuela, sommelier at Forat 19, on his career, wines and his experience with Winerim.

Xavier Valenzuela

Wine pairing manager – Forat 19

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Interview·September 29, 2025

Jorge Soto: wine, memory and hospitality

Historical interview with Jorge Soto: fourteen answers on service and wine, restored from the archived original with editorial context.

Jorge Soto

Sommelier – Cocinandos*

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Interview·September 22, 2025

"A good sommelier must have humility, deep wine culture, and know what the customer feels like"

Archive interview with Manuel Cla on wine knowledge and restaurant service. His fourteen original answers, translated in full.

Manuel Cla

Head sommelier – Paladar by Zuriñe García, Hotel Boutique Puente Colgante

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Interview·September 15, 2025

"Wine lover, don't limit yourself to always enjoying the same wines"

Archive interview with Elisa Barroso on learning, wine service and trying new styles. All fourteen original answers, restored and contextualised.

Elisa Barroso

Sommelier – Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa, Best Sommelier in Catalonia, 19th Nariz de Oro

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Interview·September 8, 2025

Alberto Rodríguez: uncork, taste and share

A 2022 interview with Alberto Rodríguez, sommelier at En la Parra, on his career, wines, pairings and his experience with Winerim.

Alberto Rodríguez

Wine list manager – En la Parra

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Interview·September 1, 2025

Álex Peiró: local wines and curiosity at Casamar

A 2024 interview with Álex Peiró, sommelier at Casamar, on his career, six wine recommendations and his experience with Winerim.

Álex Peiró

Sommelier at Restaurante Casamar

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Interview·August 25, 2025

Xavi Nolla: wine, education and memory

A 2024 interview with Xavi Nolla on enoAula, Vins de la Memòria, wines, education and his experience with Winerim.

Xavi Nolla

Sommelier, founder of enoAula and adviser

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Interview·August 18, 2025

Periko Ortega: wine, memories and tradition

A 2025 interview with Periko Ortega, chef and sommelier at ReComiendo, on wine, six recommendations and his experience with Winerim.

Periko Ortega

Sommelier and chef – ReComiendo

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Interview·August 11, 2025

Omar Oviedo: balance, origin and a passion for wine

A 2025 interview with Omar Oviedo on sommellerie, food pairings, six wine recommendations and his experience with Winerim.

Omar Oviedo

Sommelier – Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort

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Interview·August 4, 2025

"We are heading towards a golden era for white wine in our country"

Archive interview with Nacho Otamendi on tasting, food pairing and wine lists. All fourteen original answers, restored with historical context.

Nacho Otamendi

Sommelier – Travieso Bar

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Interview·July 28, 2025

David Paredes: wine, empathy and humility

Archive interview: David Paredes shares his views on wine service, tasting, pairings and listening to guests.

David Paredes

Sommelier – Mesón las Duelas, Algeciras

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Interview·July 21, 2025

Daniel Ramos: wine, people and digital tools

An archive interview with Daniel Ramos on sommellerie, food pairing, education and digital wine lists, including his six wine recommendations.

Daniel Ramos

Sommelier and training manager – Vinófilos

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Interview·July 14, 2025

"In a tasting, dialogue with oneself and the experience of solitude without interruptions are important"

Archive interview with Joan Gusó on tasting, food pairing and wine lists. All fourteen original answers, restored with historical context.

Joan Gusó

Owner and sommelier – Mas Gusó

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Interview·July 7, 2025

Álex Pardo on wine tasting and new wine styles

Archive interview with Álex Pardo on tasting, service and wine. Fourteen original answers, with source gaps explicitly identified.

Álex Pardo

Best Sommelier in Spain 2023 – Restaurante Coque**

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Interview·June 30, 2025

Juan Pérez Vidal: listening, discovering and enjoying wine

A 2025 interview with Juan Pérez Vidal on his beginnings, sommellerie, six wine recommendations and his experience with Winerim.

Juan Pérez Vidal

Sommelier – Vinoteca Jaleo

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Interview·June 23, 2025

Simone Monese: wine, service and curiosity

Ten answers from Simone Monese on wine service, pairings and wines, translated from the retained CMS text with editorial context.

Simone Monese

Sommelier – La Vecchia Griglia, Sirmione

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Interview·June 16, 2025

The quality of terroir and grapes increasingly takes precedence over ageing itself

Archive interview with Paco Martínez Áles on wine, food pairing and service. All fourteen original answers, restored with historical context.

Paco Martínez Áles

Sommelier – Restaurante Antonio Zahara

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Interview·June 9, 2025

"It's not about impressing, but finding the wine that suits the moment, the dish and, above all, the person."

Archive interview with Berta Romero on wine service, tasting and wine lists. Sixteen complete answers with historical context and editorial clarifications.

Berta Romero

Director and sommelier at Restaurante Alameda

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