Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino Investiture Dinner 2023
This June, wine professionals across the UK gathered at The Landmark London Hotel for a very special evening celebrating wines from Spain. This year’s edition of the annual Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino Investiture Dinner brought together more than 220 people who promote Spanish wines in the United Kingdom – from wine merchants, producers, and importers and exporters to journalists, educators, broadcasters and more – for a gala dinner to celebrate the three newest members of the Gran Orden as they were inaugurated into the historic organisation.
Since its inception, the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino has recognised those who have contributed greatly to – and been passionate about – promoting the quality and diversity of Spanish wines in the UK, and as such the dinner to celebrate the latest new members is always one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for members of the food and wine industry in the UK.
As you’d expect, the evening’s action revolved around spectacular food and wine. Invited guests were treated to some superb dishes by Executive Chef Gary Klaner, alongside a curated selection of wines – from sparkling and white to rosé, red and fortified – paired with each course.
The chance to celebrate was one taken to heart by Elisa Carbonell, Director General of ICEX, and Álvaro Nadal, Head of the Spanish Economic & Commercial Office. Both Elisa and Álvaro had the chance to give their thoughts on the state of play of Spanish wines both at home and abroad to an audience of like-minded wine professionals, and to congratulate the three new members for the work that has led them to be recognised with such a prestigious honour.
This year’s new Caballeros were revealed to be Jo Ahearne MW, an experienced winemaker, consultant and buyer who specialises in Spanish wines; Ferran Centelles, previous head sommelier at El Bulli, now a writer and researcher working with the elBullifoundation and Jancis Robinson; and Jesús de Madrazo Mateo, a fifth-generation winemaker and previous technical director at the influential Viñedos del Contino group and the founder and winemaker of Jesus Madrazo Wines.