Wine tastings in December 2020

The last agenda of this very complicated year includes, as usual, the most interesting wine activities taking place this month. With a couple of exceptions, the few that have been published are almost all online. Pedro Ballesteros will not be able to attend the now traditional Unión Española de Catadores’ Christmas tasting, but the organisers have decided to stick with it with a selection of bottles chosen by the Master of Wine. 

1 - 22 December. For its tenth anniversary, DOP Sierra de Salamanca has invited Marcelino Calvo, sommelier at restaurant El Ermitaño in Benavente (Zamora) and a true wine lover, to present the producers who form part of the appellation with interviews on the @dopsierradesalamanca Instagram account on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After the producers that intervened last month, Decembers stars with Perahigos (1st) followed by Cámbrico (3rd), San Esteban (10th), El Abuelo Flores (15th), El Robledo (17th) and Ruta del Vino Sierra de Francia (22nd). Time: 19:00

2, 3, 21 and 22 December. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid presents various tastings onsite. The first, on 2nd December, features emerging projects in Rioja with a tasting of wines by Barbara Palacios, Akutain, Alegre Valgañón, Alonso y Pedrajo and Arizcuren (€35) while the next day Jonatan García Lima, from Suertes del Marqués in Tenerife, will present his wines (€40). Due to the Covid, Pedro Ballesteros MW will not be able to attend the traditional tasting session he conducts every year during Christmas, so it will be Fernando Gurucharri who will conduct a tasting with a selection of wines from Ribera del Duero made by the Spanish Master of Wine (€45). All the tastings are at 19:00. Information and reservations by phone +34 914 293 477

3 and 10 December. Madrid wine store Lavinia presents a couple of online tastings this month. The first features four Garnacha wines from different regions such as Priorat, Aragón, Gredos and the Rhône (€95) and the second, on the 10th, will include four French whites with the varieties Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne and Chardonnay (€120). Time: 19:00 To receive the wines at home and take part in the tasting, contact Lavinia via email: laviniaempresas@lavinia.com

3,10 and 17 December. Wine learning centre Artean Wines in Bilbao presents several online activities for the coming weeks plus one on site with wines from artisan producers who are unknown to the general public such as Philippe Cesco, Miguel Merino and Florentino Martínez Monje with pairing suggestions (3 December, 18:00, Pangea centre in plaza Indautxu, Bilbao, €25, prior registration required). The online activities are a free webinar with tips to understand a wine's label (10 December) and another on the effect of wood on wine (17 December) and how to know when a wine is old with the option of receiving three bottles of wine at home for residents in mainland Spain. More information on +34 615897474

5 and 6 December. La Caníbal in Madrid (Argumosa, 28) presents Bubbles Party, a chance to try over a dozen sparkling wines paired with oysters and caviar and a good musical selection. Spaces are limited so booking is recommended via info@lacanibal.com

Tuesdays and Saturdays in December. With the lifting of restrictions on movement in Logroño, Bodegas Franco-Españolas is holding several open days for the people of La Rioja who wish to visit this century-old urban winery. The guided tours are free of charge (insert code 130ANIVERSARY when making the reservation), are staggered and comply with all the recommended safety requirements. Call +34 941 251290 for further information
 
10 December. The Association of Sommeliers from Navarra, in conjunction with Unsi Wines from San Martín de Unx, hosts an online tasting with the presence of Ferran Centelles, Joaquín Gálvez "Wineman" and the winery's winemaker Gonzalo Celayeta. The wines chosen for the tasting are Unsi Finca Lasierra, Unsi Finca El Boyeral and Unsi Dulce Garnacha. To take part in the tasting you only have to buy the wines and join the streaming session that will take place live on YouTube through the QR code that you will find in the package. In this document you can find the shops in Navarra which sell the sets Time: 19:00 

11, 14 and 17 December. Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) in Madrid  presents three different tastings this month, all online via Zoom. The first, directed by Miguel Prohens, is about red wines from Veneto with the following cuvées: Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2015, Corte Sant'Alda Campi Magri 2015 and Brilgaldara Case Vecie 2017 (€105). On the 14th, the tasting features three wines that are wine emblems of their corresponding countries and regions: Fino Caberrubia NV from Bodegas Luis Pérez (DO Jerez), Salvatore Molettieri 2018 (DOCG Greco di Tufo) and Anthony Thevenet 2018 (AOC Morgon) (€75) while on the 17th two champagnes from the Reims mountains will be tasted: Francis Boulard Les Murgiers and François Secondé Clavier (€100). All the tastings are held at 8.30pm and include the bottles of wine and home delivery.

14 and 21 December. The Experiencia Verema has announced new dates this month in Barcelona (Hotel Palace, Dec 14th) and Murcia (Real Casino, Dec 21st), with a showroom of producers and some confirmed tastings. Further details on the link above. Opening hours: 12:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00 Price: €10 online and €15 at the gate (free for trade professionals).

15 December. The OIV hosts a webinar about natural wines with a round table of speakers from various countries: Christelle Pineau (FR), Jacques Dupont (FR), Luigi Moio (IT), Natalie Christensen (NZ) and Jamie Goode (UK). The round table will be moderated by Guido Baldeschi, Head of Unit Oenology (OIV). The webinar will be in English with simultaneous translation to French. Time: 18:00 Free event.

15 December. The OEMV hosts the webinar "Wine markets on the year of COVID" with the presence of Rafael del Rey, who will talk about international markets, Ignacio Rider, who will outline the consumption and other uses of wine in Spain and Begoña Olavarría, who will focus on Spanish wine exports. The presentations will be followed by a debate. Registration is free and the webinar will be broadcast on the Vitivin platform. Time: 16:00

17 December. Wine store and restaurant Entrevins in Valencia (Calle de la Paz 7) says good-bye to 2020 with a tasting of old Champagne vintages with the following wines: Laherte Frères Deux Mille Six, Dehours Genevraux 2008, Dehours Maisoncelle 2009 and Guiborat 2010. Four tapas will be served with the wines. Time: 21:00 Price: €49 Bookings via email: v.entrevins@entrevins.es

19 December. Bodegas Menade hosts an outdoor charity concert at its estate in La Seca (Valladolid). The funds will go to the Valladolid Food Bank. The event will have the altruistic support of the bands Celtas Cortos and Los Perets as well as other partners. Bodegas Menade will give each of the attendees a bottle of Menade Verdejo as a gift. Time: 13:00 Price: €15. The seated event has a capacity of 200 people and there will also be a 'row 0' for anyone wishing to donate to this charity initiative.