As we do every month, Spanish Wine Lover puts together some of the most interesting wine activities held in Spain throughout November. Highlights include the Most Festival in Penedès, with interesting films and documentaries about wine, the Fiesta del Vino Joven (Young Wine Festival) in Barcelona or independent wine fair Castes in Vilagarcía de Arousa (Galicia).

31 October -2 November. Bodegas Franco-Españolas brings back its ghosts from the past with Hallowine, a theatre with sessions for children (La Maldición de la Botrytis Cinerea) and adults (Fausto Bajo Tierra) held at the winery in Logroño followed by a tasting of Bordón and Diamante wines. Booking required on +34941 251290 Price: €15 (Children: €10)

2-4 November. The town of Gandesa, in Catalonia's Terra Alta, celebrates its 31st Festa del Vi with a calendar of activities which includes a showroom with wines from 30 producers and Garnacha Blanca Night, with a variety of wines that will be served in the Modernist building owned by the Cooperative of Gandesa, which this year marks its 100 anniversary. As well as live music, there will be tastings, a popular dinner with clotxa, a traditional meal prepared by local farmers and guided tours of the area's wineries throughout the weekend.

3-17 November. The Ribera del Guadiana Wine Route, based on a western Spanish region close to the Portuguese border, presents Los Colores de la Vendimia, which includes a wide variety of tastings and winery tours, still wine and cava pairings with the region’s local food, ham cutting workshops, grape tastings, balloon trips and wine stays in various places around the province of Cáceres. Dates vary and prices start from €12.

5 November. Bilbao wine store Manu Martín hosts Bizkai Vinos, an event open to professionals and the general public with around 300 wines from 100 producers. Some of them are expected at the event such as Bárbara Palacios (Barbarot), Carlos Sánchez (Las Bacantes, La Esquirla del Bardallo, La Cantarada) or Abel Mendoza, among others. Where: Palacio Euskalduna in Bilbao (Room E). Opening hours: 17:00 - 21:00 Price: €10

7 November. The III Foro Bobal, hosted by the DO Utiel-Requena, which will be held at San Nicolás de Requena Church, will feature a tasting of 30 Bobal wines from this region in southeast Spain as well as two keynote addresses by Rafael del Rey, from the OEMV, and Sara Pérez, vigneron in Priorat and Montsant, and a couple of round tables about exports, tradition and wine vanguard. The event is free but inscription is required.

7-8 November. Logroño’s Marketing Club hosts the XIII International Wine Forum in Logroño with a programme that includes presentations and debates about marketing, wine tourism, wine consumption, communication or the influence of points among other issues. There will be a tasting with Santi Rivas, from Colectivo Decantado, with his personal, humorous style and a paired dinner with five wines chosen by Masters of Wine Pedro Ballesteros, Andreas Kubach and Fernando Mora. Cost: €265 (€65 for members of Club de Marketing) and €70 for the dinner (€50 for members).

8 November. Dani Corman, the owner of Essencia Wine Store in San Sebastián, returns with a tasting at his new location in the Old Quarter (General Echagüe, 2). The guest today is Borja Pérez, vigneron in Tenerife who works with local varieties in his range of wines Ignios Orígenes and Artífice. Time: 19:15 Price: €50 Bookings on +34 667 982506

8-18 November. The eighth edition of Catalonia's Most Festival in Penedès features some very interesting films about vineyards, wine and cava culture and wine tastings. Switzerland is the guest country this year and the festival’s honorary award is for geneticist José Vouillamoz. The films will be shown at various locations, including wineries like Celler Battle, Albet i Noya or Celler Pardas, among others. Tickets can be purchased on the festival’s website with prices ranging between €5 and €30

8-30 November. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in November, Fundación Abastos in Vitoria hosts a series of tastings with four wines from different villages in Rioja Alavesa paired with pintxos. The first this month, on the 8th, will feature wines from Kripan and Yécora. Time: 19:30 (Thursdays and Fridays) 12:30 (Saturdays) Price: €10

9 November. The Vivanco Foundation for Wine Culture in Briones (La Rioja) hosts today the 6th National Poetry and Wine Day, with the presence of poet Antonio Gamoneda, who will read some of his poems -including some wine-related texts. Entrance is free but booking is required via email on fundacion@vivancoculturadevino.es or by calling +34 941 322 305. After the poetry session, participants will be served some food paired with the wines of Bodegas Vivanco.

10 November. Fintan Kerr, the man behind blog Wine Cuentista, presents today a tasting of five Autumnal wines from Spain paired with lunch served at restaurant Kserol in Barcelona (Nàpols, 184-186) with the following wines: López de Heredia Viña Gravonia 2008, Scala Dei 'Pla dels Angels' Rosat 2017, Dominio de Anza Selección Parcelas 2016, Dominio del Aguila 'Picaro' 2014 and Ponce Pie Franco 2013. Time: 13:00-15:00. Later this month, on the 22nd, Fintan hosts a tasting of German wines with tapas and an international blind tasting (28th) at Maestrazgo Wine Club. Each activity costs €30. Send an email to this address to book your seat: fintankerr@winecuentista.com

10 November. Tasta Porrera is a festival of wines and local cuisine organized by the Association of Producers from this Priorat enclave along with the town council as part of the town’s festivities. Time: 11:00 - 14:00 Details of the festival have yet to be published. 

10 November. Would you like to take part in a Txakoli market research? David Mignanelli, who is studying a master in Innovative Winemaking in Vitoria-Gasteiz, hosts at Bodega Urbana in Bilbao (Gran Vía, 66) a  Txakoli tasting aimed at understanding local consumer preferences in terms of white wine. Seven txakolis will be tasted and attendants will be asked to fill a short test. Entrance is free but confimation is required. If interested, send an email to info@bodegaurbana.com

10-11 November. The Grape Stomping Fiesta at Bodegas Lecea in San Asensio (La Rioja) reaches its 10th anniversary as it opens up four of its ancient cellars to anyone who wants to have a go at stomping grapes like in the old days (Saturday) or doing a bit of manual grape pressing on Sunday. Over both days, visitors will have a chance to take part in these activities as well as enjoy wine tastings, tours of the 16th-century cellars, artisans' market and grape stomping for children. Additionally, a 500-year-old wooden press will be recovered after centuries of inactivity. Time: 10:00-19:30 Free entry.

11 November. As Europe celebrates its International Wine Tourism Day, around 20 wine museums across Spain will host guided tours with the proceeds destined to charity. Check on this link the full list of museums taking part and the dates and times of the tours.

11 November. Following on with the celebrations of International Wine Tourism Day, tasting school Vinaliti from Málaga has organized a visit to Bodega Sedella, Lauren Rosillo's project in the Axarquía region of Málaga, that will include a vertical tasting of his wine Sedella followed by lunch at the winery. Time: 12:30 Price: €50 (€35 for Vináliti members). Bookings on +34 952 218906

12 November. Bodegas Valtravieso (Finca La Revilla s/n. Piñel de Arriba, Valladolid) hosts a Champagne masterclass with Jordi Melendo, author of the Melendo Guide to Champagne 2018-2019. There will be a tasting of Champagnes from different parts of the region before a light lunch. Participants will be given a complimentary Guide to take home. Time: 11:30 Price: €35

12 and 19 November. After visiting several Spanish cities this year, the Experiencia Verema travels to Alicante and Barcelona. As well as the showrooms, there will be themed tastings hosted by Rueda and Méntrida appellations (Alicante) and by DO Ribera del Duero and Bodegas Montecillo in Barcelona. Hours: 12:00 - 21:00 Price: €5 online and €10 € at the gates.

13 November. Getting ahead of Christmas, Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211, Madrid presents a tasting of Dom Perignon, Dom Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot with the following champagnes: Pérignon Vintage Blanc 2009, Dom Pérignon Plenitud 2000, Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame 2006 and Dom Ruinart 2006. The tasting will be led by Xavi Monclús. Time: 20:30 Price: €30 

15 November. The team at Umami Gijón (Avda. Rufo Rendueles, 8) has invited  Sergi Colet, winemaker in the Classic Penedès appellation, to present his sparkling wines A priori, Gran Cuvée and Assemblage plus a really interesting vertical of Colet Navazos Reserva 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 1012 and 2013. Time: 20:00 Price: €15

15 November. As part of her Winetime tastings, WSET tutor Jeni Wilson from Vinclass hosts a tasting of South American Classics. The event will be held at La Pícara in Aranda de Duero (Santa María, 2). Time: 20:30 Price: €15 Bookings on +34 947 559616

15 -16 November. The eighth edition of the Rioja Alavesa Wine and Food Tourism Forum which is held at the Villa Lucía Wine Centre in Laguardia (Álava), will be focused on innovation and creativity in wine tourism with a variety of presentations by such as those of economist Fernando Trías de Bes, Jose María Aizega, director of the Basque Culinary Centre in San Sebastián or chef Diego Guerrero from DStage in Madrid. The inscription is free but it must be done before November 12.

16 November. Lavinia in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) hosts today a Grandes Pagos de España producers' showroom with the following bodegas: Abadía Retuerta, Alvear, Cérvoles, Cortijo Los Aguilares, Finca Moncloa, Finca Sandoval, Finca Valpiedra, J.Chivite Family Estates, Manuel Manzaneque, Marqués de Griñon Family Estates, Mas Doix, Mauro, Mustiguillo, Numanthia
and Pago Vallegarcía. Time: 20:00 Price: €25

16 November. The XXII Jornadas del Vino Fino will be held in El Puerto de Santa María (Bodega El Cortijo, c/ Pozos Dulces 8 y 10). The first event is a roundtable called "Treasure Hunters in the Sherry Triangle" with presentations by Antonio Barbadillo (Sacristia AB), Antonio Flores (González Byass), Armando Guerra (Barbadillo), César Saldaña (Consejo Regulador de Jerez) and Raúl Villabrille (Las Botas). After the debate, there will be a showroom of producers and wine tasting paired with some snacks served by local restaurant Los Portales. A tour of the Cooperative Albariza in Trebujena has been organized for the following day. Inscription: €5

17 November. This year Champagne Weekend A la Volé will be packed in one day with two tastings and an informal lunch (€25) open to all participants after the first tasting, which will include 20 champagnes tasted blind. This tasting will be led by three Champagne Ambassadors in Spain: Dani Corman (2010), Jordi Melendo (2011) and David Bernardo López Lluch (2016). The final tasting will verse about terroir in Champagne and will be led by the A la Volé team. The proceeds of the event will be donated to build lodgings for 40 orphan children belonging to the Maasai community in Arusha (Tanzania). Where: Restaurant Villena in Segovia (access by Doctor Velasco St) Time: 10:30 till late.

18-20 November. Some of the presentations at Fòrum Gastronòmic in Girona will be devoted to wine with workshops led by Audrey Doré, sommelier at El Celler de Can Roca (19th, 13:00, €20) who will discuss the multiple facets of Chenin Blanc from the Loire; Roger Viusà (20th, 11:30, €20), manager of wine bar Plaça del Vi 7 in Girona, who will talk about natural wines and Josep Roca (20th, 12:30, sold out), who will discuss “wondering vineyards and overseas wines”.

20 November. The new edition of Monvínic Experience in Barcelona (Diputació, 249) will count with the presence of Catalan composer and singer Mayte Martín alongside eight Catalan wine producers who will present their wines during the event: Carme Ferrer and Pilar Sanmartí, from Barbarà Forés (Terra Alta); Marta Rovira, from Mas d'en Gil (Priorat); Sara Pérez, from Venus - La Universal (Montsant); Anna Espelt, from Espelt Viticultors (Empordà); Carme Casacuberta, from Vinyes d'Olivardots (Empordà); Irene Alemany, from Sot Lefriec (Penedès); Anne Cannan, from Clos Figueres (Priorat), and Isabel Fortuny, from Ferrer Bobet (Priorat). Price: €90

21 November. Wine store Majuelos Singulares in Valladolid (San Ignacio, 9) presents a tasting with Delgado Zuleta from Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The tasting will be led by José F. Carvajal and will feature the following wines: Manzanillas La Goya, Barbiana, Barbiana en rama, Goya XL, Amontillado Zuleta, Palo Cortado Monteagudo, Cream Monteagudo, Oloroso Zuleta, Moscatel Zuleta and Pedro Ximénez Monteagudo. Time: 20:30 Price: €15

22 November. Since 1994, Vila Viniteca hosts the Fiesta del Vino Joven in the Born district in Barcelona (Agullers, Consellers and Canvis Vells streets) usually attended by around 3,000 people. It is an opportunity to taste wines from the latest vintage made by 30 bodegas from different regions and paired with tapas and dishes made by a bunch of restaurants in the neighbourhood. Time: From 17:00 Price: €5

22 November. Sommelier Pilar Cavero presents a dinner paired with the wines of Remírez de Ganuza from Rioja and the dishes prepared at the kitchen of restaurant Los Cabezudos in Zaragoza (Antonio Agustín 12-14). The wines that will be served at the dinner are: Remírez de Ganuza Blanco 2016, Blanco Reserva 2011, Fincas de Ganuza Reserva 2013, Remírez de Ganuza Reserva 2010, Remírez de Ganuza Gran Reserva 2007 and Trasnocho 2012. Price: €85 Bookings on 652 954 923

22 November. Restaurant Los Patios de Beatas in Málaga (Beatas, 43) presents a vertical tasting of Juvé & Camps Milésimé (2007, 2008 and 2009) and of Gran Tinto Johannes (2008, 2009 y 2011) followed by a dinner paired with cavas Essential Xarel.lo, Blanc&Noir Pinot Noir, Rosé Pinot Noir and Reserva de la Familia. Time: 20:45 Price: €20 for the tasting and €30 for the dinner. Bookings on +34 952 210350 

23 November. Bodega Santa Cecilia (Blasco de Garay, 74) in Madrid hosts a tasting of wines from Vía de la Plata, the ancient Roman way that crosses Spain from north to south. The wines, that will be paired with tapas, are: Suerte del Rey (VT Extremadura), Huno Crianza (DO Ribera del Guadiana), Madre Mía (DO Toro), Dehesa de la Granja (VT Castilla y León) and cava Vía de la Plata (DO Cava). Price: €25 (€20 for members) Time: 14:00 - 15:30

23 November. Los Amigos de la Vid y el Vino in Alcobendas C/ Francisco Largo Caballero, 44 (Agrupación PSOE, Alcobendas, Madrid) host a tasting of Domaine de La Côte, a Californian winery located in Sta. Rita Hills that grows and makes Pinot Noir at different elevations, soils and microclimates. The tasting also includes some of the wines made by the same team under the brand Sandhi, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The tasting will start with two Sandhi whites, Dom. de La Côte entry-level Pinot Noir followed by a mini-vertical of their flagship wine “La Côte”. Time: 19.00. Price: €45 (members €35).

24 November. The third edition of Vinofest Navarra is held at Teatro Gaztambide in Tudela with the presence of 13 bodegas from DO Navarra which will bring around  70 white, red and rosé wines. Dj Bohemian Soul will play some tunes during the day. Hours:11:30-14:30 and 18:00-21:00

25 November. On its second edition, the Independent Wine Fair Castes takes place in Vilagarcía de Arousa (Praza de Abastos) in Galicia with the presence of 43 small producers, mostly from Galicia and other Spanish regions such as Albamar, Cume do Avia, Daterra, Eulogio Pomares, Fulcro, Forjas del Salnés, Sacabeira, Sílice, Roberto Oliván, Diego Magaña, Alvar de Dios, Dido i Martinet, Itsasmendi, Suertes del Marqués, Olivier Rivière and Gregory Pérez, among others. As well as the wine tunnel, the event will feature the 1st Tasting in Teams Championship whose winners will represent Spain in the Championnat du Monde de Degustation 2019, organized by La Revue du Vin de France. Hours: 17:00-22:00 for the wine tunnel and 11:30-14:00 for the championship. Price: €23.74 (wine tunnel) and €80 per team (max. 4 people)

26 November. Sommelier Luis García de la Navarra presents at the UEC in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) a tasting of wines made by the producers behind MOVI, a group that focuses on terroir and favours a return to the vineyard born in  Chile towards 2009. Wines from producers like Bowines, Viña Polkura, Lagar de Codegua and Viña PS García will be included in the tasting. Time: 19:00 Price: €35, (€20 UEC members)

28-30 November. Además de ponencias y sesiones con algunos de los cocineros más famosos del Estado, el congreso BBVA Bilbao Food Capital incluye varias catas presentadas por sumilleres de restaurantes como El Celler de Can Roca (Álex Carlos), Azurmendi (Felipe Barbancho), Akelarre (Ciro Carro), El Portal de Echaurren (Ernesto Jesús Cruz) más dos catas estrella: una con la sumiller argentina afincada en Francia, Paz Levinson y otra titulada "Los Caminos de Jerez" con el enólogo de González Byass, Antonio Flores. Lugar: Hotel López de Haro. Precio por cata: 40 €

29 November. The Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) presents a tasting of Bordeaux style wines from the US West Coast. The tasting will feature the following wines from the coolest parts in Washington, Napa Valley and Central Coast: Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard 2008, Araujo Altagracia 2013, Mondavi Overture 2013, Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Shafer TD-9 2015, Viader 2013 and Ridge Monte Bello 2013. Time: 20:00 - 22:00 Price: €90 (Members €85)

29 November. Hotel Viura in Villabuena de Álava hosts a dinner paired with some of Telmo Rodríguez's wines: Mountain Blanco 2014, Branco de Santa Cruz 2015, O Diviso 2014, Pegaso Pizarra y Granito 2014, Tabuérniga 2015 and Molino Real 2012 with the dessert. Further information and bookings on +34 945 609000. Time: 20:30-23:30 Price: €65

30 November. Restaurant L'Escaleta in Cocentaina (Alicante) hosts La Odisea, their First Homeric Wine Fair Muestra de Vinos Homéricos with more than over 20 producers such as Cota 45, La Barajuela, Gutiérrez de la Vega, Recaredo, Clos Mogador, Ponce or Envínate plus others from Spain as well as a bunch of foreigners. As well as the fair, there will be three tastings (Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Pérez, René Barbier and José María Vicente) and a roundtable about Mediterranean wines chaired by journalist and producer Víctor de la Serna. Time: 10:00-21:00 Price: €30 each tasting and €25 for the roundtable. Book a space on +34 965 592100 or via email: alberto@lescaleta.com

Do you know of any interesting wine events which are not on this list? Are you a restaurateur or retailer who organises tastings or wine events for the general public? Send us your calendar to yolanda@spanishwinelover.com