ES+ | No.3 | 2025/2026 strongest brand in the United Kingdom, but it needs Riojas and Riberas, when what I want is to try the local to reinforce its value. wines. Spain needs a distribution strategy that is more consistent with the rich variety of its wine. What has surprised you most on your trips to Spain? I turn into a different person when I’m in Spain. Here What can Spain learn from the United Kingdom? I’m more expressive, happier. As I once said: I become Although we may have a reputation for being colder and a better person when I’m in Spain. I received the Official more serious than the Spanish, the truth is that the United Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, and it was a Kingdom (and London in particular) is very open to very emotional moment for me. Spain touched my heart exploring other cultures, other flavours and other ways from a young age; its culture made an impact on me of doing things. London is an extremely international city, from the very beginning. It wasn’t the beach or the food although we are now beginning to notice the effects of (although those too), it was the art, history, people and Brexit on the arrival of international students and migrants. customs that struck me. With whom would you share a bottle of wine in these Spanish gastronomy and quality of life are too hyperconnected times? prominent in its image abroad? With my husband, of course. We travel a lot and don’t They are undoubtedly essential. There are countries always have time together. Also with Josep Roca, the where people don’t even know where the regions of sommelier at Celler de Can Roca, who is a very pleasant Spain are located, but they all know what paella, Rioja person, he talks like a poet and conveys a great deal of wine, and tapas are. That helps. But local wines lack knowledge about wine. I would probably also bring one visibility when you travel: in Alicante, they offer me of my cats to the table. 37