Wine tastings and events in June 2023

The calendar of wine-related activities is gaining momentum. Especially noteworthy are the numerous popular events in various towns in Catalonia, annual tastings that are firmly on the agenda, such as A Emoción dos Viños or Innoble, as well as the main fiesta in Haro, when locals and visitors alike dress in white to take part in the town's Wine Battle. Remember that we update the calendar mid-month with new events.

1, 9 and 23 June. The Asociación de Amigos de la Vid y el Vino presents an interesting calendar of tastings before the summer break starting on the 1st with a tasting and dinner at Malamadre restaurant (San Sebastián de los Reyes) with Marcelo Retamal, a great revivalist of Chilean wines who is also making wines in the mountains of Salamanca, Sanlúcar and Rioja. On the 9th, the association proposes an interesting blind tasting of wines from different varieties on the same plot (€45) while on the 23rd a selection of Casa Castillo wines will be tasted, including a horizontal tasting of three plot wines from 2021 and a Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2016 (€35). Time: 19:15 C/ Francisco Largo Caballero, 44 (Agrupación PSOE, Alcobendas, Madrid).

1, 21 and 28 June. Coalla's shops in Asturias present this month a couple of sparkling wine tastings with wines such as Toto Barbadillo, Mestres Coquet, Pignier Cremant L'Autre, Kamara Pet Nat, Fossmarai Prosseco, Entelado, AT Roca Pedregar, Camilles Saves Carte d'Or, Cédric Mouse Mon Village and Gramona de Postre (on the 1st and 21st in Oviedo and Gijón respectively) paired with a selection of produce sold in the shops. On the 28th in Oviedo, there will be a tasting of wines paired with national and international cheeses. Time: 20:00 Price: €68 (sparkling wines), €58 (cheeses)

2 June. For those who have not been able to get a ticket for Día Zero, the tasting organised by Martes of Wine in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the wine bar La Mercería in Boadilla del Monte presents an excellent opportunity to try some wines made by the six producers that form the group: Carlos Sánchez Buradón Blanco, Miguel Merino Blanco, Álvaro Loza, José Gil La Canoca, Abeica Carronillo by Ricardo Fernández and Cupani by Miguel Eguiluz. Time: 20:30 Price: €25.

3 June. The town council and the wineries of Gratallops host a new edition of Tastets de Gratallops, an exhibition of wines from this town in the DOQ Priorat that will be accompanied by a range of local products. Among the wineries attending are Clos de L'Obac, Clos Figueras, Clos Mogador, Mas Igneus, Meritxell Pallejà and Trossos del Priorat. Time: 19:00 - 23:00 Price: €25.

3 June. The Fira del Vi Solidari is the result of the desire of a group of wineries in the Masroig area to support medical research into children's cancer through the Obra Social de Sant Joan de Deu. At the Fira, which will take place at the Bancal d'Alegno del Masroig, visitors will be able to taste the wines of the participating wineries and buy a charity wine made by the wineries Orto Vins, Coca i Fitó, Dit Celler, Cellers Can Blau and Celler Masroig with the support of the DO Montsant. There will also be children's workshops, raffles and music. More information on the link above. Time: 09:00 - 14:00 and 18:00 - 23:30 Price: €14

3-4 June. The Fira del Vi Rock & Wine returns to Platja d'Aro (Plaça del Mil.lenari) on the Costa Brava with the presence of 34 producers from 21 wine regions from all over the country, including Borsao, Parès Balta, Marco Abella, Tomàs Cusiné, Cooperativa d'Espolla, Pago de Cirsus, Puelles and Gárate, as well as different food stands. In addition to tasting the wines to the rhythm of rock in sensory tastings, attendees will also be able to buy all the wines on show. Time: 18:00 - 22:00

3-4 June. The Arrels del Vi fair celebrates its 15th edition in the Empordà town of Sant Martí d'Empúries (Parc Creuet) with the opportunity to taste wines from 31 local wineries such as Vinyes d'Olivardots, Martí Fabra, Perelada, Terra Remota and the Espolla cooperative, among others. The entrance fee is €22 and includes a Riedel glass, a guided tour of the Ruïnes d'Empúries, a children's workshop, a tasting of "Mulsum" (Roman wine) and a tapa of anchovies from L'Escala, as well as displays of local products. More information on the link above.

4 June. Biodiversity, climate change, wine consumption and legislation are some of the topics to be discussed at Now in Gredos, an event at Quinta La Galana, Chapinería (Madrid) "to rethink the future in community". In addition, there will be a natural wine fair, with more than 35 producers from Madrid and others parts of Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Georgia, food from around the world, a market with local products and music with DJs. Time: 12:00 - 19:00 (music until 00:00)

4 June. Rosé Day is once again being held in San Martín de Unx with open doors at the wineries in this Navarrese town with wine tasting, local craft sales, music, walks around the town and the presence of the sommelier Valeria Gamper. The only activity that requires booking is the popular lunch in the pelota court. Tickets: €10 (4 rosés).

5 June. The town hall of Rubielos de Mora in Teruel holds the second edition of Rubvinos, a fair organised by the winemaker Juanvi Alcañiz (Rubus) where attended will be able to taste his wines together with those of producers such as Altolandon, Celler del Roure, Frontonio, Setvins de Muntanya or Raíz de Guzman, among others from Spain as well as others from Chianti, Languedoc or Moselle. Time: 18:00 - 22:00 Price: €10.

5-6 June. Vila Viniteca presents its en primeur tastings in Barcelona (Llotja de Mar, Pg Isabel II) and Madrid (Teatro Real, Pl Isabel II) with the opportunity to taste barrel samples from producers such as Álvaro Palacios, Dominio de Pingus, Sierra Cantabria, Teso La Monja or Comando G, among others, as well as two dozen châteaux from Bordeaux. Time: 10:00 or 20:00 Price: €100

6 June. Sommelier Juan Pedro Baca presents at Ultramavinos Madrid (Don Ramón de la Cruz, 87) a tasting of South African wines of different varieties such as Riesling or Pinotage and styles, from dry to fortified such as a Cape Vintage from Franschhoek. Time: 20:00 Price: €60 Reservations: catasbravas@gmail.com 

6, 8 and 14 June. Sommelier Pilar Cruces, creator of Lust for Wine, is organising several activities this month. The first is a live presentation about "great small Spanish DOs" (6th, 20:45), while on the 8th at Lust for Wine in Burgos (Plaza Alonso Martínez, 7A Oficina 57) she will delve into the same topic with a special presentation (20:30, € 45). On the 14th, Pilar will be at Clarita restaurant in Madrid (Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 19) with a selection of beach wines (21:00, €29). For Lust for Wine members there are special prices and more activities. More information and reservations by phone +34 638 661 408

7 June. Goñi Ardoteka in San Sebastián (Aldamar, 3) presents a selection of French wines -white, red and sparkling- with cuvées made by Zusslin, David Reynaud, Courbissac, Nicolas Réau, Marcel Lapierre, Joubert y Ledogar, among others. There are three tasting shifts: 17:15, 18:30 and 19:45. Price: €15 refundable for purchases of the same or greater amount. Book a seat at  info@ardoteka.com 

7, 14, 21 and 28 June. The DO Jumilla presents Entre Vinos y Mares, a series of tastings at the Terraza de El Batel in Cartagena starting this month with Madrid Romero, Luzón and Esencia Wines (7th), García Carrión 1890, Alceño and Bleda (14th), Silvano García, Ontalba and El Lagar de las Puntillas (21st) and Parajes del Valle, Salzillo and Sierra Norte on the 28th. Time: 21:00 Price: € 20

8, 14, 19, 20, 22 and 26 June. The Spanish Tasters Union in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) announces six new events for June. On the 8th, winemaker Elías López Montero will present some of the wines he makes under the Verum, Ulterior and Verum by Verum brands. The 14th is reserved for amontillados from the leading Montilla wineries, while on the 19th there will be a tasting of wines from Catalan new wave producers. The wines of Cairanne in the Rhône will take centre stage on the 20th, the best Portuguese wines according to the publication Grandes Escolhas will be tasted on the 22nd and finally there will be a vertical tasting of Ysios on the 26th. Time: 19:00 Price: from €25 (discounts for members)

9 June. The hotel and restaurant Molino de la Ferrería in Villacorta (Segovia) presents a vertical comparative tasting of eight Rioja and Ribera wines with wines from Marqués de Murrieta and Alonso del Yerro and vintages since 2012. The tasting will be followed by dinner and the total price is €55 with discounts on accommodation for stays of one or two nights. Further information and bookings on +34 639 216757 

9-11 June. The Temps de Vi fair in Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona), designed to spread wine culture and Catalan wines, returns to the town's Rambla and will be attended by a good number of Catalan wineries, which will present their wines in paired tastings in the village as well as on a sailing boat. Click on the link to check times and prices.

10 June. The bodega Jean Leon in Torrelavit (Barcelona) presents the seventh edition of ViArt, an event in which the producer Mireia Torres, the opera writer Marcel Gorgori and María, the daughter of the painter Josep Guinovart, combine wine, opera and painting. Time: 19:00 - 00:00 Price: 85 € Registration at visitas@jeanleon.com

10-11 June. A Emoción dos Viños is a wine fair that brings together small producers from Galicia and wine regions of Spain and Portugal who try to transmit in their wines the place where they come from and are respectful with their vineyard and with their customers. It is a great opportunity to meet 90 artisan growers such as Pablo Soldavini, Adega O Cabalín, Lagar de Costa, Pedro Mendez, or Iria Otero among others from Galicia as well as El Hato and El Garabato, Miguel Castro Maíllo, Óscar Mestre, Tantaka, Ziries, Raúl Moreno, Makatzak or Península Vinicultores from elsewhere in Spain. The event will take place in the Monastery of Oia (Pontevedra). Time: 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00 on Saturday and 11:00-14:00 on Sunday. Tickets cost €32 for both days (€18 for one day only) and can be purchased at the link above.

10 and 24 June. The wine shop Vin La Vie Vinos de Madrid (Ibiza market, local 8) is organising two free tastings this month, one with Ernesto Palacio winery from DO Toro (10th), and the other with Pincelo, the oldest winery in Ribeira Sacra (24th). Both will be held at 13:00.

11 June. A group of producers such as Rodríguez de Vera, Óscar Mestre, Manzaneque, Cooperativa de Viver, Las Calzadas, Tridente, Chozas Carrascal or Boutinot, among others, will take part in a new edition of the Mostra Internacional de Vins Singulars i de Poble, which will be held in Jesús Pobre (Denia, Alicante) and which encourages the promotion of environmentally friendly wines and the recovery of local grape varieties. Time: 17:00 - 12:00 Price: €10 (includes glass and three tastings).

11-12 June. The MamBo tavern in Sant Llorenç d'Hortons (Barcelona) is organising the second edition of the Nous Vinyataires Naturals de Catalunya fair which will be held on the premises of Finca Parera and will feature some 55 producers who have been making natural wines in Catalonia for less than six years Time: 12:00 - 19:00 Price: €10.

12 June. The Mujeres del Vino (Women of Wine) collective, which includes more than 40 women producers from 25 wine-growing areas throughout Spain, hosts a tasting in Madrid. The organisation has not revealed any further details yet.

13, 14, 22 and 28 June. Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) ends its series on Burgundy villages this month with a tasting of Clos de Vougeot (13th, €90). On the 14th Martin Derrier will lead a tasting of Numanthia and Termanthia (€40), while on the 22nd wines from the 2020 Bordeaux vintage will be tasted (€70) and on the 28th the Peruvian cuisine of the Pucará restaurant will be paired with national and international wines (€55). Time: 20:30

14 June. Insolity presents an opportunity to taste five iconic wines from around the world. It will take place in the Sala Cónclave in Madrid (Marqués de la Ensenada, 6) and the wines are Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, Latour Corton Clarlemagne Blanc, Château La Fleur Pétrus, Dominus Estate and Louis Roederer Cristal 2002. Time: 19:30. - 21:30 Price: €120

14 and 28 June. This month St Germain Wine Bar in Madrid (Cochabamba, 21) presents a couple of themed tastings with French wines led by Greg Helmer and sommelier Paloma Tovar. The one on the 14th will be about vigneron champagne and the one on the 28th will include eight wines from Spain and France. Time: 19:00 - 20:30 The price for each tasting is €45 Reservations: +34 919 353839

15 June. Dani Corman, owner of Essencia wine bar in San Sebastián (General Etxague, 2), presents this month a special end of spring tasting with the following wines: Domaine Aljibe Haure 2020 (Jurançon), François Bertheau Chambolle Musigny 2020, Rafa Palacios O Soro 2014, champagne Tarlant La Vigne d'Antan 2001, Dr H Thanisch Bernkasteller Docotr Auslese 2007 Mosel and a surprise cuvée. Time. 19:00 Price: €125 including snacks. Call this number for further information +34 667 982506

15 June. Rioja Alavesa Wine Route has invited Juancho Asenjo, expert on Italian wines, to lead a tasting of nine Barolo wines. Venue: Bodegas Eguren Ugarte in Páganos (Álava). Time: 10:00 - 14:00 Price: €95 (€57 for members)

From 15 June. The third edition of CORPINNAT Gastronomic Festival, which will be held at the group's wineries, will offer more than two dozen dinners prepared by the chefs of renowned restaurants such as Cal Ticus, Vilagut, Barra Perelló, Rasoterra, Rincón de Diego, El Terrat and Deliranto, paired with long-aged sparkling wines. Check the link for times and prices.

16 June. The popular Ecovino tasting returns to Logroño's Espolón with the chance to taste the winning wines of this organic wine competition and the pintxos made by Sugai Larrazabal, chef at Wine Fandango. Time: 19:00 - 21:30 Discounted advance ticket sales are now available at Wine Fandango (C/ Vara de Rey, 5 - Logroño) Price: €10 (one glass and six vouchers).

18 June. Innoble Wine Festival is held in Sanlúcar with the presence of more than 80 producers such as Alvear, Artadi, Cantariña, Eloi Cedó, Fredi Torres, Gramona, González Byass, La Inglesa, Luis Pérez, Lustau, Raúl Moreno, Vicky Torres, Xulia Bande, among others, in morning and afternoon sessions. Tickets are sold out but you can join the waiting list at the link above.

19 June. Wineries, distributors and Regulatory Boards will be present at the Verema Experience in Santander (Hotel Real) where there will also be commented tastings of Bodegas Lan and DO Campo de Borja. Time: 12:00 - 15:00 to 17:00 - 21:00 Price: €15 if you buy online and €20 if you buy your ticket at the door.

24 June. Coinciding with San Juan, Finca Villacreces celebrates today Día Pruno, an event designed to enjoy wine, music and nature. Among the novelties of the programme is the Taste and Shoot activity, the presence of proximity food products and a master class about the winery itself and the production of its wines. There will also be guided tours, live music, food trucks and a ride on the Pruno Express train, among other activities. Where: Finca Villacreces, Quintanilla de Onésimo (Valladolid). Time: 10:45-19:10 (over 18s only). Price: €65 and €85 (premium ticket). There is a bus service from Madrid, Valladolid and Peñafiel.

29 June. The wine education centre of Bilbao Artean Wines and Doniene Gorrondona present an original tasting of wines of the regions traversed by the Tour de France: txakoli, Jurançon, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Savoie, Beaujolais, Jura and Alsace. The tasting will be accompanied by a snack in the Doniene vineyard in Bakio. Time: 18:30-20:00 Price: €50 (€45 for members).

29 June. Haro is once again holding its traditional Wine Battle, an event in which thousands of people climb up to the fields of San Felices, on the outskirts of the Rioja town, to throw a huge amount of wine at each other. The Wine Battle, which begins with a mass and ends with a popular lunch, attracts thousands of young people from the region but also foreign tourists, especially from Australia and the US. More details on the programme of activities can be found here.