Wine tastings in August 2018

Relax is the buzzword in August. Wine activities are few and far between as most of Spain comes to a halt but there are still a few places where wine lovers can enjoy good wines. Taberna der Guerrita continues with its excellent tastings whereas Valenciso in Rioja offers a combination of wine-related leisure activities.  Music festivals seem to be catching up on the idea of introducing wine as part of their programme and this month there are a few across Spain. Sounds good to us!

1-5 August. The Fiesta del Albariño, which takes place in Cambados (Pontevedra) since 1953, is a popular event with concerts, dancing parties and circus attractions. Although the fiesta has turned to more leisurely activities away from wine, there is still a chance to taste Albariños in the Professional Wine Tunnel, a tasting room sponsored by the Rías Baixas appellation. The last day of the festival sees the announcement of the winning wine among all those competing. Price: €15

2-5 August. Somontano's Wine Festival is held in Barbastro (Huesca) in northern Spain and includes concerts, dancing, comedy shows and tapas tastings as well as Somontano wine tastings and winery visits. Tickets cost €5 and include four tastings to choose from 80 wines and almost 150 tapas.

2 August -1 September. Wine store De Albariza in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (San Juan, 6) has organized a bunch of paired tastings in August which start on the 2nd with a presentation of Las Botas wines, followed on the 7th by the wines of Albarizas cooperative and two tastings mixing wine and history on the 17th, 18th, 31st and 1st of September.  Time: 21:00 Price: from €17. Bookings on +34 606 770532 

3-23 August. Wine merchant La Ruta del Vino (Arrabal, 18) in Santander has planned a few interesting tastings this month. The first, on August 3rd, features wines from Argentina (20:45, €25) followed by champagne (20:45, €30) on August 9th. After the beginners’ tasting course on the 10th, there will be a cocktail workshop on the 11th in which participants will learn to make dry martinis, cosmopolitans and a few other drinks. On Thursday 16th, Pedro Martínez will lead a blind tasting of “wines with character” (20:45, €25), and on the 23rd the last tasting of the month will be devoted to white wines of the world (20:45, €25). Further information and bookings on +34 942 216 503

3- 5 August. Festival VinyaSons ends its musical shows across various Catalan wineries with the presence on stage of soprano Magali Sare at Martín Faixo in Cadaqués (3rd) Judit Neddermann at Oller del Mas in Manresa (4th) and Marina Tuset at Alta Alella (5th). As well as music, participants will have a chance to tour the wineries and taste their wines.

3 August - 5 October. As part of its 12 Summer Experiences, Valenciso hosts several activities this month such as a walk along the vineyards (3rd), the presentation of a book by writer María José Marrodán (8th), a music concert at the winery in Ollauri with proceeds going to two charities (11th), dinner with the producers at 1-Michelin star restaurants Venta Moncalvillo (17th) and Portal del Echaurren (23rd) and a tales session with Pepa Martín in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (24th).  Where: Valenciso, Ctra 313 Ollauri-Nájera, km.0,4, Ollauri, La Rioja. Booking is essential on +34 941 304 724

8-12 August. Holidaymakers and visitors in Castilla y León can check out Sonorama in Aranda de Duero. This music festival, on its 21st edition, will have on stage indie bands such Anaut, Ángel Stanich, Arizona Baby, Bauer, Bunbury, Carolina Durante, Diego El Cigala, Egon Soda, Izal, Joana Serrat, La Pegatina, Lagartija Nick, Liam Gallagher, Los Punsetes, Morcheeba, Nancys Rubias, Nathy Peluso, Rayden, Rozalen Vintage Trouble or Viva Suecia, among others. On August 11 and 12 there will be tastings of Ribera del Duero wines led by Flequi Berruti, one of the managers of La Tintorería, a well-respected wine store in Madrid. Tastings will be held at the underground cellar of Centro Cultural Caja de Burgos, in two sessions (12:00 and 13:00) Price: €35 per day
 
9 August. Identifying groups and families of aromas is part of the summer offering of Bodegas Portia in Ribera del Duero as it hosts an aroma workshop to awaken the olfactory senses. The activity includes a tour of the winery, the workshop, a snack and a tasting of four wines. Price: €20

12 August. Producer Mas Espelt hosts at its cellar in Vilajuïga (Girona) a soirée among vineyards to watch the rain of stars of Saint Lawrence (weather permitting). Astronomer Josep Espigulé will comment the night show, which will be paired with a glass of Espelt wine. Time: 21:30 till midnight. Price: €12 (kids €6). Information and bookings: 972 53 17 27 

9-18 August. The imposing sherry bodegas of Los Gigantes and Los Apóstoles owned by producer González Byass in Jerez will host a new edition of Tío Pepe Festival, featuring some eternal glories in the national music scene: Luz Casal, Sergio Dalma, Rosario and Loquillo as well as Juanes, Sara Baras, Morat, México Lindo and Roger Hodgson of Supertramp. After the acts, dinner will be served including wines from the González Byass wineries. Tickets can be purchased from 32 €. As well as the concerts, very well-known Spanish chefs like Quique Dacosta and Paco Roncero, among others, will offer a fine-dining experience.

18 August. The Noche de los Vinos (Wine Night) in Torroja del Priorat will be held today at the village swimming pool with the presence of several producers from the area and a few others from outside the appellation. Ticket prices are yet to be confirmed but they include wine tastings and the chance to take part in a draw to win a box of wines. Time: 22:00 

18 and 25 August. The annual summer tastings at Taberna der Guerrita are a classic for wine aficionados visiting Sanlúcar de Barrameda. This month starts with a selection of sherries by Pepe Ferrer and the stories of Pepe Monforte, a chronicler of the region’s gastronomy (18th). On August 25th, owner Armando Guerra will present a tasting of “made to measure” wines: from generic labels to the select bottlings of Equipo Navazos, negotiant wines and other commercial mechanisms to sells wines (25th, 12.30). Further information and bookings on +34 697 826 096

23 August. Hotel Viura in Villabuena (Rioja Alavesa) hosts its White Night with a variety of pintxos, cocktails and white wines from Villabuena de Álava. Further information and bookings on +34 945 609000 / info@hotelviura.com. Price: €50 

23-26 August. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño hosts the third edition of Muwi Rioja Fest, a festival with indie Spanish bands such as Sidonie, De Pedro, Mikel Erentxun, Grises or Mesura, among others. As well as concerts, festival-goers will be able to visit the winery, take part in tastings and in making their own wine at the Bordón Experience, a photo exhibition, pop-up stands with young designers, food trucks, Rioja food tastings and children’s play area. Tickets cost from €29 per day (€43 for the full event)

26 August. Bodega Bentomiz, located in Sayalonga (Málaga), continues with its wine and music sessions through August featuring classical pianist Thomas Kaurich. A glass of wine and a welcome tapa will be served at the start of the event. Bar opens at 18:00 and the concert will be held at 20:00 Price: €35 Bookings on +34 658 845 286

31 August-2 September. To soften the return back to normality, the Market in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rioja Alavesa Wine Route host Zuria ta kitto, a three-day at three different locations in the Basque capital where participants will be able to taste Rioja Alavesa white wines plus txakoli from the three Basque appellations. Wines will be accompanied with pintxos made with quality Basque ingredients. On August 31st there's a paired dinner with white wines (€35) and the show Music Has No Limits on the roof terrace at Mercado de Abastos. 

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