Unlike most of us during this month, the wine tastings agenda in December gets considerably slimmer, but there are still a handful of interesting events to enjoy wine in good company like the The Winedrinkers gig in Madrid. Don’t forget to return to this page to check for updates!
2 December. The 9th edition of the International Wine Merchant Awards takes place at the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel tonight. Before the dinner and awards ceremony, there will be a wine show and Talks, with presentations by Rafael Bellido (sommeliers), Alberto Ruffoni (blind tasting), Pilar Cavero (wine guide on paper) and Juan Príncipe (new media), among others. The talks are open to all those who wish to attend, subject to prior registration: confirmaciones@mateoandco.es
3 December. Jordi Monroe, Roederer's Ambassador in Spain, presents a tasting of this Champagne house at Vinology in Madrid (Conde de Aranda, 11) with wines such as Louis Roederer Brut Collection 245, Louis Roederer Vintage Rosé 2017, Louis Roederer Vintage 2016 and Louis Roederer Cristal. The wines will be served on a menu paired by Pilar Oltra, owner of Vinology. Time: 19:00-22:00 Price: €140
3, 4 and 11 December. Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) in Madrid presents three tastings this month: chocolates from Colombia with wines from Europe (3th, €55), six champagnes from Moet & Chandon (4th, €40) and Sherry Wines + Whiskies from Scotland (11th, €60). Time: 20:30 - 22:00
3 and 11 December. La Caníbal in Madrid (Argumosa, 28) hosts a couple of tastings in the first fortnight of this month. In the first one, on the 3rd, Jorge and Saleta present the wines of Saíñas, the family project in Ribeira Sacra with the advice of Luis Seabra, while on the 11th it will be the sommelier Marla González who will present the wines of Rioja winery Vinícola Real 200 Monges. Time: 17:45 Price: €20
5-8 December. The Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts Ardoaraba, an annual wine tasting event with local txakoli and wines from Rioja Alavesa paired with pintxos. To try the wines, visitors need to purchase a set of tickets (€22) which include a glass to exchange in the city’s participating bars and in the three stands in the city centre.
6-7 December. Cebreros near Madrid hosts its 9th Wine Fair with stalls where you can taste wines with different prices as well as a wine tasting of local wines both days. Registrations by phone on +34 918630010 Hours: Saturday: 12:00 - 14:30 and 18:00 - 20:30 and Sunday: 12:00 - 15:00
6-8 December. If you are in Madrid during the bank holiday weekend, we recommend you to go to Madrid Wine Market to taste wines from more than 40 wineries such as Muga, La Rioja Alta, Cvne, Macán, Tokaj-Oremus, Sogrape, Grupo Masaveu or Abel Mendoza. In addition to being able to buy the wines directly from the producers, at the pre-Christmas meeting at the Wizink Center (Truss room) you will be able to taste snacks prepared by Taberna Laredo and listen to live music. Timetable: Friday 6 from 16:00 to 21:00. Saturday 7 from 10:00 to 21:00. Sunday 8th from 10:00 to 15:00. Free admission.
10, 12 and 19 December. Lust for Wine in Burgos presents its programme of wine events this month starting on the 10th with ‘Te Leo Un Vino - Cuentos de Navidad’ at Música y Deportes (Paseo del Espolón, 19:30, €8). On the 12th Pilar Cruces presents a seminar about sparkling wines from around the world at Sala Lust For Wine (Plaza Alonso Martínez, 7A Oficina 57, €55) while on the 19th she will do so at La Pícara Gastroteca (€45) in Aranda de Duero (C. Sta. María, 2). For more information and reservations, call 638 661 408
10 and 19 December. The Vila Viniteca shops in Barcelona (Agullers, 7) and Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) are hosting a tasting of 10 champagnes from different areas and styles. In Barcelona the event will take place on the 10th, while in Madrid it is scheduled for the 12th. Time: 19:00 The cost is €108.
12 December. As part of its traditional pre-Christmas tasting, Rioja Alavesa Wine Route has invited Ricardo Sanchoyarto, author of the online magazine aprenderdevino.es, to present a tasting of seven grower champagnes such as Egly Ouriet, Larmandier Bernier, Olivier Horiot, Charlot Tanneux, Barrat Masson, Legrand-Latour and Bastien Pointillar. Time: 16:00 - 19:00 Precio: €75
13 December. As part of the initiative "From Valencia to Valencia", the Andalusian restaurants Tohqa, Mesón Sabor Andaluz, Leartá and Albariza en las venas are joining forces to cook an exclusive 15-course menu, served paired with eight wines by Juan Carlos Vidarte and Rocío Benito, from Albariza en las Venas, a wine bar in Jerez. The proceeds from the dinner, which will be held at Tohqa restaurant in El Puerto de Santa María, will be donated entirely to the people affected by the floods. Bookings at reservas@tohqa.com or call +34 635258908
13 and 20 December. Continuing with the aid to those affected by the flooding in Valencia, the DO Rioja is holding five solidarity tastings with the participation of 60 wineries. The tastings are open to the public and will be held in Viana and Laguardia on the 13th and in Haro, Calahorra and Logroño on the 20th. Time: 19:00 - 21:20 Price: €25
14 December. Wine store Goñi in San Sebastián (Aldamar, 3) presents its Christmas wine market with around two dozen producers and some 70 wines to taste with producers such as Baigorri, Jade Gross or Mendieta Osaba from Rioja; Recaredo y Rimarts from Cataluña or Mahara and Cortijo de los Aguilares from Andalucía. Opening hours: 10:30-14:00 and 16:30-19:30. Price: 10 € (plus €10 deposit for a Riedel glass).
16 December. The Appelation of Origin Uclés presents a technical conference on sustainability in wine with presentations about managing the carbon footprint, mitigating climate change in the vineyard and the winery and a panel discussion entitled "Sustainability in wine. From digitalisation to carbon capture". The conference is free of charge with prior registration by email at comunicaciondoucles@gmail.com. Bus service from Madrid and the possibility of attending online.
16 and 17 December. The Association of Sommeliers in Navarra presents tasting of wines from Sicily and Alsace conducted by Juancho Asenjo. As usual, it will be held at Don Carlos, on the outskirts of Pamplona. Time: 19:00 Price: €150 for both sessions. After the tasting, there will be a dinner for anyone who wants to join. The cost is €35
17 and 19 December. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents a couple of tastings to end the year. The first is a tasting with winemaker Josep Grau (17th) while on the 19th attendees will be able to taste wines of the 2022 vintage from Gigondas, in southern Rhône. Time: 19:00 Price: €40 and €45 respectively.
18 December. Dani Corman, of wine store Essencia in San Sebastián (General Echagüe, 2) presents his traditional Christmas tasting with the following wines: Maison Overnoy Arbois Pupillin 2015, Jorge Olivera As Nabatas 2022, Artadi Viña El Pisón 2000 magnum, Ullyse Colin Le Jardin d’Ulysse, Domaine Lajibe Serres Seques Vendages Tardives 2021 plus a mystery wine. Snacks will be served during the tasting. Time: 19:00 Price: €125 Bookings by phone or WhatsApp via 667 982506
20 December. Vinifica, which provides wine tourism experiences in Rioja, hosts a Sparkling Wine Party paired with pintxos from the restaurant Sabai created for the occasion. The event will be held at Huerto San Bernardo Terrace in Haro, and the wines have been selected by Doowine. Time: 20:00 – 23:00. Price: €75
22 December. It may not be the most famous, but The Winedrinkers is undoubtedly the most vinous rock&roll band in the country. Its members include wine folk such as Dani Landi (Comando G), Curro Bareño (Fedellos do Couto, Peixes da Rocha and La Mentridana), Luis Gutiérrez (The Wine Advocate) and Pilar de Haya (Lavinia). As in previous years, they have organised a Christmas party with music and wines from Gredos, with producers such as A Pie de Tierra, Rico Nuevo, Las Pedreras, 4 Monos, Telmo Rodríguez, Sotomanrique, Comando G and Vinícola Mentridana. The event will take place at El Sol in Madrid (Avda de Brasil, 3) and includes a welcome drink. Time: From 19:30 Price: €16
27 December. Bodegas Barbadillo in Sanlúcar de Barrameda present Ignota, a tour of three of their wineries in the Barrio Alto of Sanlúcar: La Cilla, where some of the oldest wines are aged; El Toro, the original cellar and the Angioletti cellar, with the Atamán space. Throughout the walk, old wines, manzanillas and vermouth will be tasted. Time: 12:00 Price: €40
