Wine tastings for November 2014

The European Day of Wine Tourism takes place every second Sunday of November so many wine regions will be organizing various activities during that weekend. We have highlighted some of the most original in our agenda, but you’ll find all the information at Recevin’s website (European Network of Wine Cities). Note also that many wineries such as Emilio Moro in Ribera del Duero will celebrate a doors open day. 

3 November. La Tavina wine bar (Laurel, 2, Logroño) is hosting a tasting of Tentenublo Wines, Roberto Oliván’s project who makes wines from old vineyards planted in the villages of Lanciego and Viñaspre in Rioja. No doubt it’s a great opportunity to taste some of most original and daring riojas of the moment. Check details on +34 941 102 300.

5 and 6 November. Sherry wine lovers won’t miss the food and wine pairing dinner offered by Surtopía restaurant (Núñez de Balboa, 106, Madrid). Chef José Calleja will be joined by Armando Guerra from Sanlúcar de Barrameda’s Taberna der Guerrita wine bar. Wine will be tasted blind and paired with various dishes. There will be a chance to win a weekend break in the charming Hostal Alcoba in Sanlúcar for those who get the wines right. The activity starts at 9pm and it costs €40. Booking necessary on +34 915 630 364.

6 November. Smoked food will be paired with Chivite wines from Navarra at Bodegas Santa Cecilia (Blasco de Garay, 74, Madrid). Consultant and oenologist César Muñoz will guide attendants together with smoked food specialist Félix Guarindo from Benfumat while they taste Chivite Colección 125 white and rosé and the new range Finca Villatuerta. Champagne Taittinger is also included as Chivite is the official importer for the maison in Spain. Registration fee: €20 (members €15). 7 to 9 pm.

6 November. Great tasting at Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211, Madrid) led by Italian producer Maurizio Felluga introducing the renowned Friuli-based winery and its labels. A mini-vertical is included with a 96 bottling looking specially attractive. Registration fee: €20. Time: 8:30 pm.

6 November and Fridays in November. Telmo Rodríguez at La Tintorería (Gurtubay, 4, Madrid) on the 6th. The Basque winemaker who produces wine all over the country will present a selection of  his most terroir-driven labels. Registration fee: €30. Time: 8:30 pm. Do not forget that there will be doors open tastings every Friday of the month featuring four or five producers. Follow us on Twitter to learn about the wines and the people. Attendance is free, but guests are encouraged to book in advance on this number +34 912 092 550.

6-16 November. The fourth edition of Penedès Wine & Cava International Film Festival will show films such as Natural Resistance, by Jonathan Nossiter, director of Mondovino, or documentaries like La Part des Anges, which reflects upon the generational replacement among wine producers. As well as the films in Villafranca del Penedès, attendants will have a chance to take part in wine and cava tastings, winery tours and other activities where wine is the star element. Check the full programme and ticket prices.

7 November. In the course of a series of tastings dedicated to female winemakers, Tiza y Flor (César Elguezábal, 31, Alicante ) will introduce Elisabetta Foradori’s wines. Foradori is a highly respected producer in Italy and a strong advocate of biodynamics and the Teroldego grape variety, which she cultivates at Azienda Foradori’s in Trentino-Alto Adige. Registration fee: €30. Time: 8:30 to 10:30 pm.

9 November. Bodegas Menade (Ctra. Rueda - Nava del Rey, km 1, Rueda) is hosting a very special event to commemorate the European Day of Wine Tourism. Attendants will be introduced to a Pilates session and other relaxing techniques before the usual tour of the winery and a tasting of their organic wines. Registration fee: €6. Booking necessary on +34 983 103 223.

9 November. Hiking trail in Ribeira Sacra in northwestern Spain to mark the European Day of Wine Tourism. This 10- kilometre tour includes a visit to "Balcones de Madrid" lookout and the Romanesque monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. The activity finishes with a meal at Parada de Sil and a winery tour in the village of A Texeira. Price: €20. Information and bookings: rutavino@ribeirasacra.org

10 November. Spain’s biggest wine community organises the Verema Experience at the Maritime Museum in Barcelona (Av. Drassanes, s/n). Over 100 producers will offer their wines from 12:00 to 9 pm. The activity is exclusive for Verema users, so hurry up and register for free at their website if you are interested. 

10 November. A great chance to take part in a Comtes-Lafon Charmes vertical tasting (2000-2010) conducted by Andrés Conde Laya from La Cigaleña restaurant in Santander and sommelier David Rabasa from Ricardo Camarena restaurant in Alicante. Organisers Wine & People have not yet confirmed the exact location in Alicante where the tasting will be held. Bookings should be made through Wine & People which requires previous registration. Time: 8:30 pm. €130.

10 November. Italian wine specialist Juancho Asenjo will present at bar Vintage in the Basque city of Vitoria (Ramiro de Maeztu, 5) “A walk along the Langhe terroirs” with a  wine tasting from wines of this Piamonte area. The tasting will be followed by a snack and the activity costs €75. Time: 7:30pm. Booking is necessary on +34 945 13 29 93.

12 November. La Ruta del Vino (Arrabal, 18, Santander) is a retailer specialised in French wines without neglecting Spanish labels. On this occasion, they will conduct an interesting tasting comparing red wines from Galicia and Castilla y León. Time: 8:45 pm. €25. Call +34 942 216 503.

12 November. The latest vintages from Peter Sisseck’s Dominio de Pingus in Ribera del Duero and Château Rocheyron can be tasted at Casino de Madrid (Alcalá, 15). The event, organised by Vila Viniteca -their distributor in Spain- is addressed to wine journalists and clients. The tasting is expensive (€190), in line with Sisseck’s highly priced wines, but for the cost of two Flor de Pingus bottles attendants will be able to taste Pingus 2012 and 2013, Flor de Pingus 2012 and 2013, Psi 2012 and 2013 (all 2013 barrel samples); as well as St.Emilion’s Château Rocheyron 2011 and La Fleur de Rocheyron 2010. Time: 10:30 am.

14 November. Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211, Madrid) will hold a classic Rioja tasting featuring vintages from the 70s and 80s such as Royal Gran Reserva 1970 and Royal Reserva 1989 from Bodegas Franco-Españolas; Solar de Samaniego Gran Reserva 1970 and 1973 from Bodegas Alavesas; and Martínez Lacuesta Reserva Especial Gran Reserva 1976 and 1978, from Haro’s winery bearing the same name. A great chance to taste how old Rioja vintages evolve. Cost: €30. Time: 8:30 pm.

17 November. A mere 14 kilometers separate the villages of Gratallops and Porrera in Priorat but climatic and geographic conditions are rather different. A tasting organised by Barcelona’s Vinacoteca (Valencia, 595) will try to show these differences on wines like Serras del Priorat 2011, Cims de Porrera Vi de Vila 2009, Clos Dominic Vinyes Altes 2009, Laurel 2012, Idus 2009, Álvaro Palacios Gratallops 2012, Clos Mogador 2011 or Nit de Nin 2011. Price: €39. Booking necessary on +34 932 325 835.

17 November. As part of a series of tastings entitled “The winemaker and his wines” organised by UEC (Spanish Tasters’ Union), French flying winemaker Dominique Roujou has selected 12 labels among the vast range of wineries he consults for, most of which are scattered across peripheral regions in Spain such as Galicia, Valencia, Mallorca, Levante or Cataluña. The tasting will be held at the UEC headquarters in Madrid. Registration fee: €35 (members €20). Time: 7 pm.

25 November. Born is a trendy neighbourhood in dowtown Barcelona where local businesses get together to celebrate the arrival of this year's vintage.  Wineries such as Abel Mendoza, Artadi, Castaño, Castillo de Monjardín, Clos D’Agon, Codorníu, Llopart, Sierra Cantabria or cava producer Torelló, among others. Tapas and platters prepared by local eateries can be matched with the wines in the street party. Price: €5 for a glass + wine tasting. Location: Agullers, Consellers and Canvis Vells Streets. Barrio de La Ribera, Born. Barcelona.

25 and 27 November. Madrid and Barcelona host respectively the III Salón Guía Peñín de las Estrellas where attendants will be able to taste Spanish wines with the best QPR accroding to the 2015 Peñín Guide. Although both events are aimed at trade and press, doors will open for the general public between 17:00 and 20:00 upon purchasing a ticket. The tasting will be held in Ático de Chamartín (Estación de Chamartín, Planta Alta. C/ Agustín de Foxá, s/n) in Madrid and Maritime Museum (Avinguda de les Drassanes, s/n) in Barcelona.

27 November. José Manuel Pérez Ovejas, winemaker at Bodegas Hnos. Pérez Pascuas (Ribera del Duero) will present his wines at retailer Lavinia (José Ortega y Gasset, 16, Madrid). The list includes Viña Pedrosa Crianza and Reserva, Finca La Navilla and “Selección de Familia” (Family’s Selection), a label exclusively made for Lavinia. €10, free for Club members. Time: 7 p.m. Book at +34 914 260 604.