Wine tastings in April 2019

This month's agenda begins with two essential events for wine lovers: El Alma de los Vinos Únicos in Burgos, where over 700 domestic and international wines can be tasted (1 April), and the First Conference of Andalusian Wines in Madrid, with an extremely interesting line-up of talks, debates, tastings and top-level participants (1-3 April). Further tastings are scheduled for the rest of the month such as the new edition of Vivid in the Empordà region in Catalunya, the workshop led by four Masters of Wine in Rioja Alavesa or the tasting Vinos de España, Una Pasión hosted by Emilio Hidalgo in Córdoba.

Don't forget to check this agenda by mid-month for updates on tastings and the country's most interesting events.

1 April. Paco Berciano and Maribé Revilla are one of Spain’s leading wine couples. Every couple of years they host El Alma de los Vinos Únicos, an event that is attended by more than 120 producers from Spain and abroad who will pour over 700 wines. Names like Alain Graillot, André Clouet, Algueira, Cristiano Van Zeller, De la Riva, Emilio Hidalgo, Heymann-Löwenstein, Juan Antonio Ponce, Mauro, Oddero, Quinta da Muradella, Cía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez, Recaredo, Suertes del Marqués, Teso La Monja, Pol Roger, Thibault Liger-Belair and Luis Seabra Vinhos, among many others. The tasting will be held at Fórum Evolución in Burgos and tickets cost €50. Opening hours: 11:00 a 19:00

1-3 April. The Regulatory Bodies of the various wine regions in Andalucía host for the first time in their history the first Conference of Andalusian wines, to be held at Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid (Alcalá, 42). There will be interesting tastings, a lunch prepared by four chefs from the region (Xanty Elías, José Carlos García, Juanlu Fernández and Kisco García) and presentations and debates with experts such as Peter Liem, Telmo Rodríguez, Álvaro Girón, Eduardo Ojeda, Jesús Barquín, Willy Pérez, Ramiro Ibáñez, Pancho Campo, Juancho Asenjo, Francisco del Castillo, Rafael del Rey, David Schwarzwälder, Sarah Jane Evans, José Ignacio Santiago, Vicente Inat and Clara Verheij, among others. Price: From €35

4 April. Distributor Mikel Foronda has invited Raúl Prada from Valdesil in Valdeorras to its tasting room in Vitoria (Portal de Arriaga, 50) to present his range of wines including the white wines Valdesil 2013 with 5 years of ageing, Asadoira, Pezas de Portela, O Chao (white) and the red wines Valderroa Carballo and Valteiro. Each attendee will take home a case with three bottles of Valderroa, Montenovo and Valdesil. Time: 20:00 Price: €35. For more information and to book a place, call 945 289791.

4-6 April. The halls and caves of Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño become theatre stages to host different performances by the five finalists of the "+Teatro con Diamante" competition, which is celebrating its eighth edition this year. The public will be able to vote for the winner, while visiting the winery and tasting three wines from the Diamante and Bordón range. Timetable: 4-5 daily shows in continuous session. Price: €16 The winery will allocate €2 of each ticket to the Rioja Food Bank and the Pioneers Foundation. Reservations by telephone on +34 941 251290

5 April. The Association of Friends of the Vine and Wine of Alcobendas in Madrid hosts a tasting to discuss the soils of Spain, which include a wide range of materials such as granite, slate, clay-calcareous, volcanic... A tour of the entire Spanish geography will focus on the areas and producers whose wines are clearly influenced by the soils of their vineyards. In addition, the issue of minerality will be discussed and well as how each type of soil influences the wine. The tasting will take place at the PSOE headquarters in Alcobendas (C/Francisco Largo Caballero, 44). Time: 19:00 Price: 45 € Registration by telephone 669 404 169

5-6 April. The eighth edition of Vinofest, the Navarra wine festival, is being held in Pamplona with almost 30 wineries from the appellation presenting 150 wines at the Baluarte Congress Centre. Opening hours: Friday 18:00 - 21:00 and Saturday 11:30-14:30 and 18:00-21:00 Price: €10 in the afternoon and €5 in the morning. The Vinofest experience will continue during the weekend of 12-14 April in the wineries that have arranged open days, tasting sessions and tours of the vineyards.

6-28 April. The Empordà region hosts a new edition of Vivid with a month full of all kinds of wine tourism activities such as a tasting of wines hosted by comedian and wine lover Carlos Later followed by a hike among vines in Calonge and Sant Antoni as well as tastings and dinners, winery tours, and a variety of exhibitions and workshops. Prices vary depending on the activities, which are held in numerous villages around this Catalan area close to the French border.

7-8 April. Have you ever dreamt of being one of the world’s 400-odd wine professionals who hold a Master of Wine title? The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) and Fundación para la Cultura del Vino host a two-day seminar led by MW such as Pedro Ballesteros, Norrel Robertson or Sarah Jane Evans, among others. They will explain the MW approach to the examination syllabus with a special focus on the writing and tasting skills required to become a Master of Wine. The class will include tastings of different wines from different regions of the world. As well as tastings throughout the day, evening dinners are included as part of the programme. The seminar is in English and will take place in Bodegas Marqués de Riscal in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa, Basque Country). Price: €550

8 of April. Juancho Asenjo will today conduct a tribute to Giuseppe Quintarelli, the Italian wine legend who died in 2012, at Enotoca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara 211). There are few occasions to taste wines like these: Quintarelli Giuseppe Rosso del Bepi 2008, Quintarelli Giuseppe Valpolicella 2011, Quintarelli Giuseppe Classico Recioto de la Valpolicella 2004, Quintarelli Giuseppe Primofiore 2015, Quintarelli Giuseppe Bianco Secco 2017 and Quintarelli Giuseppe Classico Amarone de la Valpolicella 2000. Time: 20:30 Price: €85 . Further information on +34 91 745 1927.

8 April. Vila Viniteca in Barcelona (L’illa Diagonal store) hosts a tasting of Bàrbara Forés wines, a family producer located in Gandesa (Terra Alta) which works primarily with Garnacha and that is led by Carmen Ferrer, who will conduct the tasting. The following wines will be tasted: Bàrbara Forés Blanc 2018, Bàrbara Forés El Quintà 2017, Bàrbara Forés Abrisa't 2017, Bàrbara Forés Rosat 2018, Bàrbara Forés Negre 2016, Bàrbara Forés El Templari 2016 and Bàrbara Forés Coma d'en Pou 2016. Time: 21:00 to 23:00 Price: € 39 (Special price for members: €29)

9 April. The fourth edition of Vinos Off the Record will be held in Madrid (Casa Off, Alcalá Galiano, 1) with the presence of 32 producers such as Fredi Torres, Javi García (4 Monos), Mario Rovira (Akilia), Xurxo Alba (Albamar), Sergi Colet (Colet) Verónica Ortega, Beatriz Herranz (Barco del Corneta), Roberto Oliván (Tentenublo), Olivier Rivière, Carlos Rodríguez (Sílice Viticultores), Maite Sánchez (Arrayán), Mª Jesús Polanco (Sota els Angels), Paola Medina (Williams & Humbert), Goyo García Viadero or Julia Casado (La del Terreno), among others. Time: 11:00-20:00 Price: €10

11 April. The sixth edition of Vinos de España, una Pasión, brings together an impressive list of wineries and winemakers from across Spain for a day-long tasting event at Bodegas Campos in Córdoba. Organized by sherry producer Emilio Hidalgo, the event features around 40 bodegas from various locations across Spain such as Abel Mendoza, Exopto, Alvar de Dios, Itsasmendi, Gutiérrez de la Vega, Loxarel, Marañones, Altos de Trevejos, Pérez Barquero, Zárate, Algueira, Palacio Quemado or Barbadillo, among others. Hours: 11:30 - 19:30 Price: €25

11 April. Restaurant Los Cabezudos in Zaragoza (Antonio Agustín 12-14) hosts a paired dinner with the following wines produced by Marqués de Murrieta and Pazo Barrantes: Pazo Barrantes Mágnum 2016, Marqués de Murrieta Primer Rosé 2017, Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2015, Capellanía 2014, Dalmau Reserva 2011 and Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2009. Time: 21:00 Price: €70

12 April. Julián Palacios organises his fourth technical viticulture conference at the Centro Temático del Vino Villa-Lucía in Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa). This year's theme is "Vineyard Diversity". Price: €65

12 April. Vinosfera store in Vitoria (Rafael Alberti, 24) presents a tasting of Málaga wines made of different varieties. Areas and styles of production will be explained. Time: 20:00 Price: €22 Reservations via email to info@vinosfera.es

17-21 April. Visitors going to Bilbao for Easter will be able to enjoy Basque Fest, a celebration of Basque culture and folklore with music, shows, cinema, sports and gastronomy. There will be several tastings of Basque products accompanied by wines from Rioja Alavesa, txakolis from Bizkaia and even wines from Irouleguy, in the French Basque country. Inscriptions at the Txoko Gourmet, in El Arenal.

20 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 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. Wines from the latest vintage stored in amphorae 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 the wines that will be available for tasting are made from Garnatxa Blanca by local producers such as Celler Xavier Clua, Vins del Tros, Covilalba, Ecovitres i Bernaví. Time: 11:00 Price: €15

20 April. The wineries that form part of Vinos de la Sierra de la Culebra in Zamora (Bodega la Mela, Caminos de Aliste, Cepas de la Culebra, Bodegas Castro Mendi, Bodegas Ramayal and Bodega Aliste) hold an open day for visitors who want to discover these wines made in the  districts of Aliste and Tábara, near the border with Portugal. There will be tastings in all the wineries at the following times: 10:00, 11:15, 12:30, 13:45, 16:00, 17:15, 18:30 and 19:45. Price: €5

20 April. La Masia la Torreta in the town of Sant Joan de Mediona (Barcelona) hosts COTA, a festival with wine tastings, gastronomy and music that highlights wines made in vineyards at a height above 500 meters. There will be 14 producers from Catalonia and two from Aragon taking part in the event and there will be tastings led by sommelier Xavi Viles on sparkling wines, wines from the Sierra Salamanca DO and top wines with a range of Riedel glasses. Timetable: 12:00-23:00 Price: €15

20 April. The 10th edition of Poboleda Vins is being held today with a dozen producers from this village in Priorat whose wines will be accompanied with foods produced in the region. Cellars that will take part are: Celler Burgos Porta, Celler Crivellé i Valls, Genium Celler, Celler Hidalgo, Albert, Celler Mas d’en Just, Celler Mas Doix, Celler Mussons Vins, Celler Tane Vins, Celler Terres de Vidalba, Celler Totó Marqués, Celler Unió, Celler Mas d’en Blei, Celler Mas la Mola and Celler Perinet. Time: 10:30-14:30 at “La Closa” social club in Poboleda (Tarragona). Further information on +34 977 839 495

22 April. The Spanish Union of Tasters in Madrid pays tribute to Javier Carmona, the recently deceased sommelier and director of the Escuela de Catas de Alicante, with a tasting of Fondillon wines, a category to which he dedicated a publication recognized by the Académie Internationale du Vin. Many of his friends, such as Fernando Gurucharri and Pedro Ballesteros MW, will take part in the tasting, as well as the makers of the wines in the tasting, which will be held at the Villareal Hotel (Plaza de las Cortes, 10) in Madrid. Time: 19:00 Price: €40 

22 April. Lavinia wine store in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) hosts a tasting of Vega Sicilia wines, probably the most renowned and prestigious brand in Spain. Participants will be able to taste the following: Macán Clásico 2015, Macán 2014, Alión 2015, Pintia 2014, Vega Sicilia Valbuena 2014, Vega Sicilia Único 2006 and Vega Sicilia Reserva Especial Año 2019 (2006-2007-2009). Time: 19:00 - 21:00 Price: €125 

24 April. The DO Montilla-Moriles organizes in Córdoba (Plaza de Colón s/n) its Annual Wine Tasting. This five-day event brings together 27 producers and over 300 wines and vinegars, along with a dozen restaurants from the province.

24 April. The Night of Sumolls is one of the activities within Microvi 2019, an event that celebrates wine in Avinyonet del Penedès (Barcelona). There will be a tasting and a wine fair with wines made from this red variety at the Cloister of the Romanesque Monastery of Sant Sebastià dels Gorgs. For those travelling from Barcelona and not wishing to drive, there will be a bus departing from Plaza España at 19:00 (€25). The following day, there is a tasting of wines from the Massis del Garraf at the winery Can Rafols del Caus and on the 27th a bunch of small producers from Catalonia will present their wines in the village of L’Arbossar.

24 April. Whoever wants to discover the wines of Australia has a chance today at Monvínic in Barcelona (Diputació, 249) as sommelier César Cánovas will do a presentation of the historical, geographical and climate factors that have led this country to become a renowned wine region. The following wines will be tasted: BK Wines Adelaida Hills Ovum Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2016, Penfolds South Australia Koonuga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet 2015, Delinquente Riverland Montepulciano 2018, Yabby Lake Mornington Peninsula Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, Mayer Yarra Valley Bloody Hill Pinot Noir 2015, Jameshead Yarra Valley Harem La Syrah 2015, Grosset Clare Valley Riesling Sprinvale 2015, John Duval Barossa Valley Plexus White 2002, Parker Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, John Duval Barossa Valley Anexus Grenache 2006, Torbreck Barossa Valley The Pict Shiraz 2006 and Stanton & Killen Rutherglen Muscat Classic. Time: 20:00 Price: €65 

25 April. The Verema Experience travels to Santander for the first time to hold a tasting of wines from two dozen producers. The event will be held at Gran Casino Sardinero (Plaza de Italia s/n). Time: 12:00 - 21:00 Access is free but a €5 deposit is required to ensure glasses are returned at the end of the tasting. 

25 April. Jorge Orte, WSET courses trainer, hosts a technical tasting to deconstruct wine meant to fine-tune the palates of tasters. During the seminar, two white wines will be deconstructed and their sugar, acidity and alcohol tasted first separately and then jointly in four different combinations. The tasting, particularly interesting for WSET students, will take place at Tasting Room Marta Tornos in Zaragoza (Cinco de Marzo, 6, 3.º D). Price: €40 

25-26 April. The second National Encounter of Historic Bodega Districts, set to take place in the village of San Asensio (La Rioja), will focus on the social, economic and tourist benefits of these constructions for the villages where they are located. The two-day encounter will feature practical examples from Álava, Palencia, Ourense, Tenerife and La Rioja, and will include speakers like winegrower and architect Javier Arizcuren, archeologist and CSIC investigator Pablo Alonso, the president of the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route Mariasun Saénz de Samaniego and Juan Manuel Casares, president of the DO Ribeiro. Location: Salón de la Juventud de San Asensio (José Iturmendi, 11). There will also be a tasting at Bodegas CVNE in Haro led by José Ignacio Junguitu. Attendance is free but it must be requested by email before April 12th to barrioshistoricosbodegas@gmail.com or by calling +34 669 869 093. Hours: 09:00-20:30 (Thursday) and 09:30 - 14:00 (Friday).

26 April. Bodega Santa Cecilia in Madrid hosts a tasting of tins paired with wine: Roselito de Antídoto 2017 rosé (VT Castilla y León) with mussels, Parajes 2011 (VT Castilla y León) con anchovies, Pazo Barrantes 2017 (DO Rías Baixas) with tuna, manzanilla La Gitana (DO Sanlúcar de Barrameda) with ham and Montecastro 2014 (Ribera del Duero) with chorizo. Time: 19:00 - 20:30 Price: €25

26 April. Wine store Sorbo Vinos in Ponferrada (Calle Ancha 19) hosts a tasting with Mario Rovira, grape grower and winemaker at Akilia. He will present his wines from Bierzo made with Mencía, Palomino and Doña Blanca. Mario looks for freshness in his wines, with no overripeness, focusing on soil composition. The following wines will be tasted: Villa de San Lorenzo Blanco 2017, K 2017, Villa de San Lorenzo Tinto 2016 and Villarín 2015. Time: 21:15, Price: €12 Further information on sorbovino@gmail.com or via phone +34 650765644

26-28 April. The town of Cacabelos (León) hosts the DO Bierzo Wine Fair 2019. Organisers have not yet released further details.

28 April. A new edition of La Nit de les Mines will be held at Les Mines Museum in Bellmunt del Priorat with the presence of local producers who will pour over 40 wines from the area. Guest cellars this year are Álvaro Palacios and Celler Joan Simó. There will also be tapas and live music and a bus service from Tarragona. Time: 20:00 Price: From €20

29 April. Menasa & Enogalia in partnership with Vinventions host in Ourense a showroom with wines made by some well-known producers after a blind tasting competition (open only to professionals). The tasting, which is free, will be held at Centro Cultural Marcos Valcárcel (Rúa do Progreso, 30). Time: 18:15-20:30

30 April. As it happens every year and as part of the wine fair Fira del Vi in Falset, the restaurant Celler de l'Aspic in this town of Tarragona hosts dinners with the presence of various producers. The first on the programme this year is Pepe Raventós from Raventós i Blanc and Can Sumoi. Time: 20:30 Price: €65 + VAT. For more information and reservations call +34 977 831 246

Do you know of any interesting wine events which are not on this list? Are you a restaurateur or retailer organising tastings or wine events for the general public? Send us your calendar before the end of the previous month to yolanda@spanishwinelover.com