Wine tastings for December 2014

With Christmas looming, there aren’t a great deal of wine events in the second half of December. But the festive mood is certainly palpable and some of the most interesting tastings are focused on champagne, cava and sparkling wines in general. We hope #winelovers have plenty to toast for at the end of the year.

2 December. “Forgotten wines in the world” is the theme chosen by Monvínic in Barcelona (Diputació, 249) to put together a Médecins sans Frontiéres tasting led by Josep Roca, sommelier at Celler de Can Roca. Proceedings will be entirely devoted to projects organised by the medical charity to fight against Ebola and the effects of this disease in Western Africa. The tasting will be followed by a gourmet dinner. Bids start at €180 per person. Bookings on +34 93 272 61 87.

3 December. Dom Pérignon tasting at Lavinia. Anyone interested in trying this legendary champagne in its three versions -vintage, rosé and the new Plenitude 2, which is a late disgorgement from a vintage previously on the market, can do so at Lavinia’s Ortega store at 7pm. Price: €36 (10% discount for members) Only 16 places available.

3 December. Winemaker Ana Martín will lead a cinema tasting at Bodega Urbana (Gran Vía, 66) in Bilbao along with Basque TV presenter and journalist Félix Linares. The tasting will intertwine cinema history and wine with selections to sample such as Eklipse 2012 by Itsasmendi (red txakoli), Piamonte Ca’ del Baio Nebbiolo 2009 and Señorío de Cuzcurrita 2008 from Rioja. Bookings are necessary on info@bodegaurbana.com or +34 944 416 181. Time: 7:30pm Price: €15

3 December. In the "Unusual Readings" session,  La Casa del Lector (Paseo de la Chopera 10, Madrid) invites sisters Yolanda and Carolina García Viajero, owners of Bodegas Valduero in Ribera del Duero, to show their world through a series of readings, both literal and metaphorical, that explain their lives and work in the wine business. Entrance is free. Time: 7:30pm

4 December. Alicia Estrada Alonso, wine marketing specialist, presents at Laie café in Barcelona (Pau Claris, 85)  Los 100 mejores vinos por menos de 10 euros 2015 (The best 100 wines under €10 2015), an “entertaining and experimental book” which includes wines from over 60 different regions across Spain. The event will be followed by a wine tasting. Free. Time: 7:30pm

4-16 December. Enoteca Barolo focuses mainly on sparkling wines this month, with champagne taking pride of place. There will be a first tasting of champagne millesimé on 4th, another one focused on rosé champagnes on 11th and a fun match champagne-cava game on 16th. The chosen wines are: Aubry, Tarlant and Larmandier-Bernier from France; Colet Navazos, Gramona and Recaredo from Spain. Tastings will take place at 8:30pm and the price for all tastings is €30 (members €25).

5-8 December. Vitoria has been gastronomic capital during 2014, and to round off the year the Basque capital organizes Ardoaraba, an annual fair where txakolis and wines from Rioja Alavesa ca be tasted. This year’s guests appellations are Rias Baixas and Cava whose wines will be available at two of the four tents displayed across the city. To taste the wines, attendees must purchase vouchers that can be redeemed at the various tents or participating bars.

9 December. The hip San Miguel Market in Madrid celebrates the arrival of Rioja winery Bodegas LAN at the stalls with a tasting that will be led by a the winery's winemaker. The activity is free and available from 12:30am at Despacho de Vinos el 19, one of the stalls in the market.

11 December. The director of the Spanish Tasters Union (Unión Española de Catadores), Bartolomé Sánchez, will lead a tasting of Galician reds made from varieties such as Brancellao, Caíño, Merenzao or Sousón. The event, named La Galicia tinta más singular, (Singular red wines from Galicia)  will show wines from various producers including Algueira, Ponte da Boga, Coto de Gomariz, Dominio de Bibei, Lagar do Merens or Sameirás. Time: 7pm. Price: €35; members: €20.

12 December. As a prelude to Christmas, Alicante retailer Tiza y Flor (César Elguezábal, 31) organizes a tasting with wines from different origins, vilification methods and varieties. The cost is €60 and includes brands such as Jacques Selosse Substance Grand Cru (Champagne); Billaud Simon Grand Cru 2010 (Chablis); La Nieta 2011 Viñedos de Páganos (Rioja); Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2009 (Australia) and Dönnhoff Overhauser Brücke Riesling 2008 (Nahe). Bookings on +34 965 142 003 Time: 8.30pm.

12 December. To celebrate Quim Vila’s 20 years at the store that he opened in 1994 in Barcelona's Born district, Vila Viniteca has organized two tastings with 11 unique and special wines. This second session includes vintages from even years from 1994-2014 such as Vega Sicilia Único reserva Especial Selección 1994; Château Ausone 2000; Salon Blanc de Blancs 2002 or Teso la Monja 2008, among other greats. The cost is €295 and reservations are necessary. Place: Vila Viniteca. Agullers, 7. Barcelona. Time: 8:30pm to 11:30pm.

19 December.  With the aim of celebrating Christmas and their 11 years pedalling their business, bike retailer Espai-Bici holds a little gathering at their Barcelona store (Bruc, 63) with artisan pizza and wine from El Vi a Punt, an interesting project which aims to demystify wine and bring it back to people's everyday lives. Guests will be able to admire the latest Brompton bikes while they sip a glass of Sine, made from Garnacha Alta in DO Terra Alta, and Qua, a blend of Garnacha and Carignan from DO Monsant. Time: 8:15pm

20 December. Producer Alta Alella organises a brunch in aid of Xamfrà, a learning and artistic centre that promotes social inclusion based in the Raval area of Barcelona. Chef Albert Oltra from Can Piqué restaurant will cook on the spot while attendants taste the cavas and other wines by Alta Alella and listen to the retro sounds played by DJ Ricky Gil. Local farmers and artisans will also be selling their products in a pop-up market. Tickets cost €25 and must be booked in advance on +34 628 624 182. Time: 10:30 Address: Camí Baix de Tiana s/n, Alella (Barcelona)

20 December. The Sala de Cámara at the National Auditorium in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara 146) will host a concert  with music by classical composers such as Vivaldi and others. That's nothing out of the ordinary, except that it will be accompanied with wines provided by Todovino wine club and Enolobox. Tickets cost €39 but Todovino clients are eligible for a 10% discount. If you are interested in booking a ticket, send an email to reservas@fundacionexcelentia.com  Time: 7:30pm

21 December. Bodegas Menade in Rueda organizes a Christmas family workshop where parents can taste the range of organic wines and an artisan beer made by the Sanz brothers while the kids have fun using corks to make craft some Christmas decorations. The cost for two adults and up to three children is €25. Booking is necessary on +34 983 103 223. The event starts at 12:00 at this address: Carretera Rueda-Nava del Rey km.1, Rueda.

23 December. Under the title "Coupage Masters",  Pedro Ballesteros, Spain's only Master of Wine will lead a tasting of blended wines. Esplín into five different themes, the event -organised by the Spanish Union of Tasters (UEC) will include wines such as St Henri Shiraz by Penfolds, Caballo Loco by Viña Valdivieso (Chile) or blends made by French winemaker Caroline Frey, Fritz Wieninger from Austria or Chiara Turati from Italy. Location: Real Casino de Madrid (Alcalá, 15) Time: 18:00. Price: €60 (UEC members) – €100 (non UEC members) For further information and bookings call +34 914 293 477

29 December. For champagne lovers, Wine & People organizes a tasting in Valencia with three small grower champagnes. The wines will be paired with some foie gras. Location: Bachiller 11, Puerta 10B. Time: 20:00 Price: €25

31 December. Monvínic -a winelover's paradise in Barcelona- organizes a spectacular New Year's Eve dinner which includes eight dishes paired with wines from France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Australia, South Africa and Hungary. The cost per person is €120 and booking is necessary on +34 93 272 6187

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