Lyrical

WINE IS

There are a multitude of facets to wine and wine appreciation. Through her new enterprise Wine Matters, Deborah Hansen brings light to a complicated topic though language that is lyrical yet lucid. Whether you are a wine professional, a private collector, or simply someone seeking to satisfy a curiosity about Spanish wine, Wine Matters is a wellspring of information and engagement.

→ Learn how Wine Matters can help you

Discover the Full Gamut of Spanish Wine

Beyond the Stereotypes and Big Brands

There are simply not enough professionals who understand Spanish wine, so drinkers everywhere miss out on the opportunity to enjoy it. Deborah has cultivated her expertise in Spanish wine over the course of her career as a wine advocate, sommelier, and restauranteur. As a fierce champion of Spanish Wine, she shines a light on Spanish wineries, young and old, that may otherwise be overlooked.

Spain is where tradition and innovation live side by side and is also home to diverse wineries brimming with passion and possibilities. More progressive agriculture, older barrels, a return to cement tanks, and reviving lost grape varietals are just some of the challenges these wineries are taking on for themselves.

Spanish wine ranges from the driest, most mineral whites to the broodiest, darkest of reds, with everything in between. And that's not even considering sherry, Spain's very own fortified wine that boasts 400 years of tradition. Deborah has a particular zeal for Sherry, and became a Sherry Master back in 2016. Lovers of Old World-style wines, the ones that smolder with fragrant elegance and simultaneously beg to be drunk today and cellared for tomorrow, will be overjoyed at Spain's countless offerings. On the other hand, the consumer who craves a bright young wine with perfectly ripened fruit and acidity, will enjoy a plethora of lovely options.

→ Piqued your interest? Learn more in the Blog

Unlock a New Level of Appreciation

Wine Communicator

Language plays an important role in the appreciation of wine. The deeper our knowledge on a subject, the more profound the pleasure and the more authentic the appreciation. Deborah is passionate about imparting not only her knowledge but also the ability to communicate about Spanish wine, be it with your guests, your employees, your students, or your colleagues. Her words will connect with any audience and illuminate rather than obfuscate the intricate topic that is Spanish wine and sherry. Round out your wine prowess and fill in any gaps with a refresher on Spain’s lovely viticultural offerings.

It is important for wine professionals and collectors to be well-versed in Spanish wine as it is one of the great wines of the world, in addition to being enjoyable, collectible, ageable, and thoroughly desirable. To neglect this genre is to have an incomplete understanding of wine.

WINE TASTINGS &

PRIVATE CHEF SERVICES

Specialized

Looking to host a small gathering that includes Spanish wine and/or cuisine? Treat your guests to delicious food paired with highly curated Spanish wine. Deborah brings to the table over 30 years of experience as the Chef-Owner-Sommeliere of Taberna de Haro in Boston (and Cornucopia in Madrid, Spain, prior to that). The creator of the internationally acclaimed all-Spanish wine list at Taberna de Haro, she can craft and prepare a bespoke menu for you, paired with unique and peerless Spanish wines that will delight and inspire your guests. Very old vintages are a specialty.

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WINE Matters BECAUSE IT…

ENHANCES ENJOYMENT

Gatherings and repasts of all sorts are heightened by wine’s presence at the table. The interplay of food and wine is simply unrivaled.
HELPS YOU STAND OUT

When you write a wine list, it ought to include excellent wine in a wide range of price points. Offer your guests interesting rather than predictable wines.
IMPROVES COMMUNICATION

Learn how you and/or your staff can speak about wine in an expressive and eloquent manner to any audience.
EXPANDS HORIZONS

The history of wine is an unbroken thread through 6000 years of civilization. Learning about new wines is a form of contact with new places and old traditions.

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What People Are Saying

“If you've traveled in Spain and every now and again get a yearning for its cozy cafés, restos and wine bars and for the comfort food they dish up there, you'll love Deborah Hansen's recipes. Developed in the kitchen of her impeccably true-to-type Spanish restaurant that has been a fixture on the Boston food scene and a mecca for foodies for 25 years, each is authentic, rewarding, and doable. So grab a glass of Manzanilla and get cooking!”

— Stephen M.

Wine Director of Formaggio Kitchen

“I know of very few people in the wine world who combine Deborah Hansen’s knowledge, imagination, and heart. She is precisely the best kind of person from whom to learn about wine - not only its facts and figures, and not merely how to talk about it, but how to appreciate its gifts and how it helps you to love our world.”