Summary: Katrin Naelapaa has been serving as Wines From Spain USA’s director since 2001. Born in Mexico City, and having studied in Madrid, Katrin was so deeply connected to the Spanish wine and food culture, she was fortunate to find a smooth transition to the wine world from her original career in International Banking. In this interview Katrin talks about how the Spanish wine scene, particularly in the United States, has changed significantly over the past two decades. Not only are more Spanish wines imported, but the vast variety of regional representations, as well as the integration of the food and cultural experiences, have created a stronger consumer interest in the genre. With this market growth came the need for more in-depth learning experiences with respect to Spanish wine. To answer that call, the Wine Scholar Guild has launched the Spanish Wine Scholar program. Katrin shares her excitement about this program, Wines From Spain’s involvement in its development, and why it’s important to both the wine professional and consumer.
