Held every two years, El Alma de los Vinos Únicos will gather over 100 producers and their 500 wines coming from all corners of Spain and abroad. The event will take place in Burgos, a 2h30min drive from Madrid. If you want to join the fun, we at Spanish Wine Lover are giving away two free tickets. All you need to do to get hold of them is enter a draw.

1-30 April. Vivid is the name of a wine festival organized by the Empordà Appellation with over a hundred wine-related activities throughout the month. Open door days at the region's wineries, tastings, vineyard walks,  menus paired with wines, wine therapy, concerts, competitions and children's games are some of the activities programmed for April. Check the full Vivid programme on this link.

1 April. For devotees of wine and religious traditions, wine retailer Señorita Malauva in  Valladolid (Arribas, 2) has organised a twilight tasting of wines with black labels to coincide with the Easter Parade passing by the store. The wines on the tasting are Blanco Lloveira (Ribeiro); Monólogo Crianza (Rioja); Vizconde de la Villa (Toro) and López Calvo (Ribera del Duero) and will be paired with a spinach and chickpea stew,  guiso de garbanzos con espinacas, tomato and tuna ciabatta and Easter pastries. The tasting costs €12 and starts at 21:00 Bookings on +34 983 394955

2 April. As a prelude to Easter and as a premature training for next year's Vila Viniteca's Tasting in Pairs, Alicante wine retailer Tiza y Flor (César Elguezábal, 31) holds a blind tasting where guests will have to guess everything about the wines served to them including origin, vintage, varieties… The person who gets more elements right will not pay for the tasting, which will be paired with cheeses provided by La Cave à Fromage. Time: 20:00-22:30 Price: €30

2-6 April. Nine wineries from Navarra open their doors to guests during Easter with tours and tastings for interested visitors. Producers taking part are: Irache, Lezaun, Máximo Abete, Malón de Echaide, Ochoa, Otazu, Pagos de Araiz, Pago de Larrainzar and Cosecheros Reunidos. Go to the Vinofest website for further details and to purchase tickets. 

4 April. Passió de Vilalba is a religious fiesta which is held annually in the Catalan village of Vilalba, in the DO Terra Alta. Wine has traditionally been linked to the region as well as to Christian ceremonies and plays an important part in the celebrations. For the past eight years, organizers at Patronato de la Passió have been making wine in the old fashioned way, with amphorae, as it was the custom during Roman times and likely to be in a similar style to the wine drank by Jesus Christ in the last supper. Amphorae storing wine from the latest vintage will be opened on the day so the public can try the result and compare it to the rest of the village wines, under the DO Terra Alta category. Some of those wines are made by local producers such as Celler Xavier Clua, Vins del Tros, Covilalba, Ecovitres i Bernaví as well as this year’s guest producer —Celler Pedrola (DO Tarragona). Time: 11:00 Price: €15

7 April. The diversity found in Italian wines is overwhelming, with countless native varieties and regions which produce a vast array of wines. Retailer Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) organizes an introduction to Italy where the following wines will be tasted: Gravner Ribolla Anfora 2004 (IGT Giulia); Tenuta di Trinoro 2006 (IGT Toscana); Allegrini Amarone Classico 2009 (DOCG Amarone della Valpolicella); Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpina Aglianico 2010 (DOC Irpinia); Passopisciaro Contrada Porcaria 2011 (IGT Sicilia); Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 2008 (DOCG Barolo) and Ceretto Bricco Asili Bricco Asili Barbaresco 2008 (DOCG Barbaresco) Time: 20:00 to 22:00 Price: €70. Special price for members: €60

8 April. The Spanish Union of Tasters (UEC) holds a tasting at is headquarters (Lope de Vega, 27 Madrid) with some of the best red wines to have received a Golden Bacchus award in this year’s competition. The tasting will be led by Mª Antonia Fernández-Daza and it costs €35 (€20 for members). Time: 19:00

10-13 April. Valencia holds the 27th edition of its Wine, Cava and Spirits Festival as well as another one featuring some local and traditional foods from the region. From Friday 10th to Monday 13th, the Wine Fair will be open to the public from 11:00 until 22:30 in Jardín del Turia, between Calatrava's Bridge and Flowers' Bridge.

11 April. EnoFestival 2015 brings independent music and wine culture together and is back in Madrid for its fourth edition.  Concerts from bands such as Airbag, Tulsa, The Free Fall Band, The Winemakers and Pablo Und Destruktion will be intertwined with wine tastings held by various wineries and appellations such as Rueda, Ribeiro, Navarra, Freixenet, José Pariente, Comando G, Bernaveleva or Ánima Negra. The festival will take place at Theatre Fernando de Rojas’ Dancing Hall in the Círculo de Bellas Artes (Alcalá, 42). Tickets cost €27 and can be purchased on this link.

11 April. The first edition of Salón Vinículas, which aims to bring “a breath of fresh air to Bilbao’s wine scene”, will be held in Bilbao today. Organized by wine retailer Vinoteca Benostikale and Sonikete, the Salon will gather 30 producers from 17 appellations such as Luna Beberide, Alto Landón, Juan Carlos Sancha, Xose Aristegui, Alfredo Maestro or Celler Masroig, among others. As well as the Salon, there will be presentations and music with Words & Wine. The event will take place at Bilborock (Muelle de la Merced, 1 Bilbao) and the opening hours are 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00. Tickets cost €10 and can be purchased at Vinoteca Benostikale’s website or by calling +34 605 737 751

12 April. Armando Guerra, manager of Taberna der Guerrita in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, one of Andalucía’s best sherry bars, will be at Fotómata in Seville (Mata, 20) to present an introductory tasting to champagne where he will explain the area’s soils, varieties and types of wine and will lead the tasting of six wines. Information and bookings on Taberna der Guerrita website or on phone number +34 697 826 096  Time: 12:30-14:30 Price: €25

13 and 14 April. Under the title A Wine Writer’s World Tour: The Nine-Nation Tasting, British journalist and writer Andrew Jefford presents a seminar aimed at improving English language skills, contrast and compare the perception of the word terroir in various wine producing areas and stimulate the senses used for tasting. The presentation is suitable for all tasting levels and will include six whites and six reds from different regions outside of Spain. The event will be held in Barcelona  on April 13 (ESHOB, Passeig del Taulat, 243) between 9:00h and 14:30h and in Vilafranca del Penedés on April 14 (The Tasting Room, C/ Santa Magdalena, 12) from 15:00 to 20:30. Price: €175. To book, call +34 93 818 14 60

15-17 April. Iberian Vineyards, Antique Times, Culture and Tradition is an international gathering that will take place at the Technological Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking in Requena (Valencia). There will be a series of presentations such as the evolution of the landscape where Bobal grows, the landscape of wine and its memory or the analysis of organic matter in archaeological ceramics where wine was kept. Entrance is free, but booking is necessary via email: prensaterritoriobobal@tierradelvino.es or by calling +34 636 285 194

17 April. Retailer Vinos y Maridaje in Seville (Avda. Diego Martínez Barrio, 10) presents a vertical tasting of manzanilla en rama Sacristía AB led by Antonio Barbadillo Mateos. Aged for 8-10 years under flor, this manzanilla comes from six different sacas (drawing the wine off the cask). There will also be a chance to taste his rare amontillado, selected from casks stored at Bodegas Francisco Yuste in the town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. An aperitif will be served after the tasting. Time: 19:00 Price: €15 Bookings on  +34 699 491132

17-19 April. The IX wines from Aragón Showroom will gather producers from the region’s appellations such as Cariñena, Campo de Borja, Somontano, Calatayud, Vinos de la Tierra as well as from other wine areas in this part of Spain. A space has been reserved for children to act as playground with adults getting to join tastings, wine and food pairings and local gastronomy products. The fair will be held at Montañana sports ground in Zaragoza. Hours: Friday 17 and Saturday 18: 19:00-23:00. Sunday 19: 12:00-15:00. Entrance to the fair is free but visitors wanting to join the wine tastings will need to purchase tickets, which include a glass and a tapa for €9

18-19 and 25-26 April. Montblanc's Medieval week in Tarragona, 110km west of Barcelona, is a good opportunity to try the wines and cavas of the appellation Conca de Barberà. There will be a large number of producers at the event such as Agrícola de Barberà, Celler Carles Andreu, Celler Cal Joan, Cellers Roset, Celler Molí dels Capellans, Carlania Celler, Celler Jordi Llorens, Escoda-Sanahuja, Gatzara vins, Guspí, Mas Foraster, Mas del Tossal, Rendé Masdéu, Rosa Mª Torres and Vinícola de Sarral. Time: 11:00 - 21:00 on Saturday and 11:00-16:00 on Sunday. Price: €2 for a glass and one tasting. 

20 April. Paco Berciano is one of the most interesting distributors in Spain stocking fantastic selections. Once every two years he organizes El Alma de los Vinos Únicos, a wine fair attended by over 100 producers both from Spain and abroad who will bring over 500 wines to taste. Names such as Alain Graillot, Algueira, Bernabeleva, Contador, Cristiano van Zeller, Emilio Hidalgo, Juan Antonio Ponce, Mauro, Oddero, Quinta da Muradella, Raúl Perez, Teso La Monja, Thibault Liger-Belair and Vinos de Encostas, among many others. The event will be held at Fórum Evolución in Burgos but people traveling from Madrid can board a coach booked for the occasion (€10 return ticket). Entrance to the fair costs €25 if purchased in advance (€35 at the door). Time: 11:00 — 20:00

20 April. Monvínic in Barcelona (Diputació, 242) organizes "La Garnatxa y el Mediterráneo" masterclass led by Joan Ignasi Domènech, president of Terra de Garnatxes and owner Vinyes Domènech, and Anne Cannan, member of the association and owner of Clos Figueres. They will present a research paper prepared by INCAVI, Rovira i Virgili University, winemakers, sommeliers and producers about Garnatxa's aromatic and taste profile with a special attention to the grape's Mediterranean origins. The line-up of wines includes La Vinyeta Empordà Microvi de Garnatxa Roja 2013; Masia Serra Empordà Ctonia 2013;  Vinyes Domenech  Montsant Rita 2013; Edetaria Terra Alta Edetaria Blanc Selecció 2013; Clos Figueres Priorat  2014; Finca Viladellops Penedés Massís del Garraf; Celler Lagravera Costers del Segre Ónra vi de Pedra 2011; Edetaria Selecció Negre 2011; Vinyes Domenech Montsant Teixar 2011; Espectacle Montsant 2011; Masia Serra Empordà Ino and Clos Figueres Priorat Sweet Clos Figueres 2011. Time: 20:00 Price: €35. Bookings on +34 932 726 187

21 April. Madrid's Hotel Silken Puerta América organizes free tastings for its wine club members, who can sign up for free. The guest today is Finca Allende, the project launched by winemaker Miguel Ángel de Gregorio in Briones (Rioja Alta). Booking is required. Those interested need to send an email with their name and telephone number to: sumiller.puertamerica@hoteles-silken.com

22 April. Coinciding with the 125th anniversary of Bodegas Riojanas, Madrid retailer Bodega Santa Cecilia holds a tasting of historical Monte Real vintages at its Pozuelo de Alarcón (Avenida de Europa, 13) store. The following vintages will be tasted: Monte Real 1955,1964, 1978 (commemorative wine for its 100th anniversary), 1998 and 2001. Time: 20:00 - 21:30 Price: €45, €40 for members. Limited seats. Booking is required.

22-26 April. The XXXII edition of Cata del Vino Montilla-Moriles takes place in Córdoba, with the participation of more than 20 wineries. Some of the activities include musical acts and tastings led by local winemakers. The programme's details have not yet been released but you can follow updates on this link. Location: Parking lot opposite Diputación in Córdoba.

23-25 April. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño (Rioja) holds the third edition of “+Teatro con Diamante”,  a cultural activity which aims to move the stage from its usual setting to the wide spaces of a winery. The plays, which are represented non-stop and last for a maximum of 15 minutes, can be enjoyed with a glass of Diamante or Rioja Bordón. Tickets cost €15 € and can be purchased on the day at the winery or by calling  +34 941 251290

24 April. Santa Caterina market in Barcelona organizes a DO Catalunya wine tasting, a wide region with a higher degree of flexibility than other appellations in terms of rules and varieties. Wines will be paired with food products from the market downstairs. Time: 19:00- 21:00 Price: €26

24 April. Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz present a vertical tasting with six vintages of Nit de Nin, a wine coming from a 3-hectare vineyard planted in 1905 with Garnacha Peluda and Cariñena on one of Priorat’s highest areas. Ester Nin has been working this vineyards since 2004, when she launched the first Nit de Nin vintage, with a grand total of 900 bottles.  Carles Ortiz joined her in 2008 and together they make another wine, Planetes de Nin. Dinner will be served after the vertical tasting, which will be held at El Celler de l’Aspic (Miquel Barceló, 31, Falset). Booking is necessary +34 977 831 246 Time: 20:00 Price: €55

24 April. The IV DOC Rioja Stars Fair, organized by Rioja charity Kaipacha Inti, will bring together 14 top wineries at the Círculo Logroñés in the region's capital. They will each present three or four wines and all the money raised from ticket sales -which cost €25 per person- will go to an orphan school in Jerusalem. Participating wineries include Abel Mendoza, Artadi, Barón de Ley, Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez, Finca Allende, Gómez Cruzado, La Rioja Alta, Marqués de Riscal, Pujanza, Remírez de Ganuza, Roda, Sierra Cantabria, Valenciso and Viñedos del Contino. Time: 18:00 - 21:30. Further ticket information on www.kaipachainti.com

25 April. Wine retailer Lavinia presents a tasting of dry and sweet wines from Bordeaux, the lesser-known peers of the region’s great and good grand-crus. It will be a good opportunity to enjoy this style of wines typical from Sauternes and brought about by noble rot. The varieties used for both dry and sweet styles are Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon —the region’s most planted white grape— and Muscadelle. Time: 18:30 Price: €45

27 April. Sixth edition of Salón Vinoro featuring a selection of Spanish wines which have won awards in various international competitions. The event is held at Hotel Ritz in Madrid (Plaza Lealtad, 5) and includes a charity shop whose profits will go to Fundación Mensajeros de la Paz (Peace Messengers’ Fund). Tickets cost €25 and can be purchased on Salón Vinoro website. Hours: 12:00 - 21:00

27 April. The international association of biodynamic winegrowers Renaissance des Appellations organizes a biodynamic wine showroom in Barcelona (Mercat del Born), with masterclasses run by Nicolas Joly, founder of the association, and Carlo Petrini, founder of the international Slow Food movement. There will be 80 producers originating from 9 different countries -Spain will be represented by Mas Estela, Nin Ortiz, Recaredo, Enric Soler and Carmen López Delgado. Doors open to the general public between 17:30 and 20:00. Tickets cost €35

27 April. Over 70 wineries from different parts of Spain will gather in Málaga for the Verema Experience with producers such as Bentomiz, Cortijo de la Fuente (Málaga), Fillaboa (Rías Baixas), Casal de Armán (Ribeiro), Luzdivina Amigo (Bierzo), Javier Sanz (Rueda), Juve y Camps (Cava, DO Penedès), Luis Cañas, Finca Valpiedra, Muriel (Rioja), Resalte (Ribera del Duero), Pagos de Araiz (Bavarra) and Tío Pepe (Jerez), among others. The event will be held at Málaga's Car Museum (Edificio Tabacalera, Avenida Sor Teresa Prat, 15) between 12.00  and 21.00. Click on this link to sign up for this free event.

28 April. The spirit of Seville's Feria de Abril moves briefly to Bodega Urbana in Bilbao (Gran Vía, 66) with the presence of Bilbao-born flamenco singer Lander Egaña, known as “Maizenita”, who will be accompanied by guitarist Jose Ignacio Franco. For this evening of music and singing winemaker and Bodega Urbana owner Ana Martín has selected the following wines: a Txakoli from Bizkaia, La Montesa 2011 from Bodegas Palacios Remondo in Rioja, Pago del Espino 2011 made by Cortijo de los Aguilares in Ronda and a Pedro Ximenez by Jerez Emilio Hidalgo PX. Time: 19:30 Price: €17 Bookings on telephone number +34 944 416 181

29 April. Ismael Gozalo is best known for being the winemaker and founding member of Ossian, specialised in making Verdejo, but he has also launched his own biodynamic project. The Ismael Gozalo tasting at Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara 211, Madrid) is planned to coincide with a fruit day —according to biodynamic principles, such days are best for fruit aromas— and will include the following wines: Isse tinaja 2012 Verdejo; Rufián Rufete 2013; Sin rumbo 2011 Verdejo; Syrah 2012; Kilómetro 0 "el origen" 100% Verdejo orange wine and Rack 2013. Time: 20:30  Price: 25 € and 20 € for club members. Further information on +34 91 745 1927

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 info@spanishwinelover.com