Wine tastings in February 2018

Wine activities are starting to pick up in February, with some interesting events outside the usual locations of Madrid and Barcelona, particularly in El Puerto de Santa María in Cádiz, where 20-odd Spanish producers from various wine regions will present their wines at Cuatrogatos Wine Fest, and in Santander, where a bunch of lucky wine lovers will be able to taste historic Vega Sicilia vintages at restaurant La Cigaleña. 

We will update this agenda with additional wine events across the country so come back to this page for further updates.

Until 4 February. Over 400 restaurants, cocktail bars, cooking schools, gourmet shops, cultural centres, art galleries and museums in Madrid will take part in Gastrofestival 2018, an event aimed at promoting the city's gastronomy. There will be several opportunities to take part in wine-related events like a tasting of Italian cheese and wine at Accademia del Gusto, a tasting of wines aged in French vs American oak barrels at Bodega Santa Cecilia (Chamberí) or “Socratic” tasting at Centro Cultural Conde Duque.

5 February. Dani Corman, co-owner of Essencia Wine Bar & Store in San Sebastián (Zabaleta, 42), presents a tasting with the following wines: Arretxea Hegoxuri Désagrément 2005, Mugneret-Gibourg Nuits-Sant-Georges 1er Cru 2012, Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Puilly Silex 2009, Jacques Lassaigne La Colline Inspirée y Equipo Navazos La Bota de Palo Cortado 47, Bota No. Information and bookings on +34 943 32 69 15 Time: 19:00 Price: €70

6 February. This year, a series of technical issues delayed the opening on Jaunary 6th of registrations for Vila Viniteca Tasting in Pairs Competition, which will be held in Barcelona on 15 April. The new date to sign up is today at 10:00. This popular competition is open to worldwide professionals and aficionados and is rewarded with €30,000 for the winning couple. Price: €200 per couple.

6 February.  Mature vintage specialist Rodrigo Prieto, from VinoVintage Santander, together with Andrés Conde Laya, of Bodega Cigaleña (Daoiz y Velarde, 19), present a historic tasting of Valbuena 5º Año with vintages from the  1960s, as well as 75, 78, 82, 85, 86, 88 and 94.The tasting will be followed by a dinner at La Cigaleña in which Andrés is expected to open bottles of the new 2014 vintage of Clos Rougeard. Time: 20:30 Price: €100. Further information on +34 600443717

7 February.  Unión Española de Catadores (Lope de Vega, 27) in Madrid starts its February tasting calendar with a tasting of noble wines led by David Trillo, a sommelier who gain the admiration of many wine lovers with his daring by the glass wine offer at the now defunct Territorio Era tavern.  Ube Miraflores by Ramiro Ibáñez, Socaire by Primitivo Collantes, La Choza Pago Macharnudo by Callejuela or Vara y Pulgar by Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico are set to share the stage with  classics like Alvear and its Fino Capataz, Williams and Humbert and its Colección de Añadas Fino en Rama or Herederos de Argüeso and Amontillado Viejo. To top it all up, David will bring a collector’s bottle of Tío Pepe from the 1950s. Time: 19:00 Price: €40 (€25 members)

7 February. Music and wine come together in a rock concert with the bands Red House and The Winedrinkers, a band featuring wine producers, journalists and other trade professionals like Dani Landi, Luis Gutiérrez, Juanma Bellver, Federico Olderburg, Pilar de Haya and Curro Barreño. The concert will be held at  Sala B in Barcelona (Muntaner, 234). Time: 21:30 Earlybird tickets: €12, € at the door. The entrance includes a complimentary glass of wine.

7 and 14 February. Vinoteca Torres, a restaurant owned by the Torres Family in Barcelona’s Paseo de Gracia hosts Nights of Wine and Roses, a jazz, wine and food session to enjoy on the first two Wednesdays of the month with over 100 Torres wines by the glass. Time: 19:30

8 February. Restaurant Los Cabezudos in Zaragoza (Antonio Agustín, 12-14) has invited Jorge Navascués, technical director at Pago Aylés, to present the first vintages of some of the flagship wines made by this Aragonese producer: Serendipia Blanco 2012, Serendipia Tempranillo 2008, Serendipia Merlot 2009, “S” Pago Aylés Garnacha 2013, “Y” Pago Aylés 2010 and 3 de 3000 Pago Aylés 2004. The tasting will accompany a menu prepared by the restaurant’s chef. Price: €67

8 February. Bodega Urbana in Bilbao (Gran Vía, 66) has invited Miguel Martínez to talk about Ojuel, his small and interesting wine project in Rioja Alta where he has recovered supurao, a tradicional and almost forgotten sweet wine. The wines to taste are: Fuente Leon 2016 (Tempranillo blanco and Garnacha blanca), Sierra Moncalvillo 2016 Carbonic Maceration (Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura), Ojuel Salvaje 2016 (Garnacha), Ojuel Cerrosojón 2015 (60% Maturana tinta and 40% Mazuelo) and Ojuel Supurado 2016. Time: 19:00 Price: €10

9 February. Wine store El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2) hosts a special guest today: Marcos Eguren (Viñedos y Bodegas Sierra Cantabria, Teso La Monja), a member of one of Rioja’s best know wine producing families who define themselves as “vineyard collectors”. At today’s tasting Marcos will bring six of his wines from Rioja followed by some bites towards the end of the tasting. Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Bookings on +34 983 377 199

9 February.  Monvínic Store's new Shoproom in Barcelona (Diputació, 251) welcomes four small natural wine producers from Spain: Nacho González (Bodega La Perdida, Valdeorras), Fabio Bartolomei (Bodega Vinos Ambiz, Gredos), Barbara Magugliani (Celler La Gutina, Empordà) and Rodrigo Filipe (Quinta do Paço HUMUS, Lisbon). Time: 16:30-20:00 Free entrance

9-10 February. Over a dozen producers will present their new vintages during Haro's Wine Carnival which this year is inspired in the circus and is held at the cloister of Hotel Los Agustinos (San Agustín, 2) in the Rioja twoon. Participant producers include Gómez Cruzado, Bilbaínas, CVNE, La Rioja Alta, Martínez Lacuesta, Muga, Carlos Serres, Florentino de Lecanda, Ibaiondo, Ramón Bilbao, Roda, Marqués de Carrión, Rioja Santiago and Virgen de la Vega Sociedad Cooperativa. Time: 20:00 Price: €30 

11-12 February. A new edition of Vins Nus, a natural wine fair in Barcelona, will be held at Nau Bostik (Ferran Turné 1-11) in the district of La Sagrera. Esta edición se celeThis edition, held over two days and open to trade and wine lovers, will host over 40 small winegrowers from Catalonia, Galicia, Castile, Andalucía, Valencia, Roussillon, Jura, Auvergne, Loire, Languedoc and the Rhône. Opening hours: 11 February: 10.00-20.00 (€10). 12 February:10.00-18.00 (€5 or free with Sunday’s glass and bracelet). Prices include a list of producers and a professional tasting glass. Tickets are not sold in advance, but at the door on the day.

12 February. Natural wine fairs seem to be like the buses: you have no natural wine fairs in a year and suddenly two appear at the same time. Vella Terra food and wine festival hosts its third edition in Barcelona with the presence of over 80 small growers from Cataluña (Alfredo Arribas, Clos Lentiscus, Celler Pardas, Celler Mas Candí, Cosmic Vinyaters, Escoda Sanahuja, Sicus…), and other Spanish regions (4 Kilos, Dominio del Urogallo, Fernando Angulo, Pagos de Nona), Italy (Croci, Azienda Agricola Montesissa Emilio, Il Poggio, Tenuta Grillo…) and France (Charles Dufour, Chateau Lafitte, Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson, Les 9 Caves…). As well as wine, there will be bread, vegetables and cafe on show. Opening hours: 12:00-20:00 Price: €15 Location: Estació del Nord. Once the festival is over there will be a dinner for artisans, trade professionals and the general public. Further information and reservations on info@vellaterra.com

12 February. Sommelier and wine educator Xavi Nolla hosts a seminar led by Master of Wine Fernando Mora in Barcelona in which he will explain in fun, lay terms the troubles and tribulations to become a Master of Wine, a road with plenty of study but also a chance to taste great wines from around the world such as these: Marnes Blanches Vin Jaune 2009 (Côtes du Jura), Köhler Ruprecht Saumagen Auslese Trocken Riesling 2008 (Pfalz), Champagne Jacques Selosse Lieux-Dits Sous Le Mont (Champagne), Scala Dei Masdeu mágnum 2013 (Priorat), Bruno Giacosa Barolo 1999 (Barolo), Vintage Palo Cortado 1987 by González Byass (Jerez) and a surprise wine brought by Fernando Mora. Location: NH Collection Bcn Gran Hotel Calderón Time: 16:30-20:30 Price: €175 € + VAT

14 February. Óscar Soneira, behind the blog Hemoglovinum, presents a tasting of five wines from five different appellations in Galicia: Fento, a red from Rías Baixas; Benito Santos Mencía, from Monterrei; Ramon do Casar, albariño, godello and treixadura from Ribeiro; Fusco, mencía from Ribera Sacra and Gaba do Xil Godello, from Valdeorras. Location: La Vicoca in Barcelona  (Hostafrancs de Sio, 18). Time: 20:00 Price: €20

14 February. To celebrate St Valentine's Beatriz Osorio, sommelier at Bodega Urbana in Bilbao (Gran Vía, 66), hosts a tasting focused on naturally sweet wines including the following selections: Domaine du Petit Métris Premier Cru Chaume 2015 (AOC Coteaux du Layon, Botrytis); Jackson Triggs Vidal 2007 (VQA Niagara, Icewine); Uroulat 2012 (AOC Jurançon, Late Harvest); Tenuta Sant Antonio Argille Bianche 2006 (Recioto della Valpolicella, raisined in drying rooms ), Pedro Ximenez Manuel del Pino Solera 1998 (DO Montilla Moriles, sun-dried). Time: 19:00 Price: €30

14 February. If St Valentine's is not your thing, Wilda Wine Bar in Madrid (León, 9) offers the opportunity to enjoy yourself with a blind tasting of four orange wines and the chance to take a "feline wine" back home with you. Booking is not necessary. Price: €15 

15-17 February. The Experiencia Verema in Valencia starts this year with a tasting of wines from Rioja producer Ramón Bilbao and the Verema 2017 Awards Ceremony. As well as a blind wine sting competition, there will be several tastings on Friday and Saturday: vertical of Quod Superius (Bodegas Hispano-Suizas) with winemaker Pablo Ossorio, white wines from Rioja with Palacios Vinoteca, DO Cava wines, Marimar Estate from California (Bodegas Torres), champagne with specialist Jordi Melendo, González Byass brandies, wines from the D.O. Málaga and Sierras de Málaga appellations paired with products from the Málaga region and a tasting of wines from DO Ribera del Duero. As well as tastings, over 80 producers will offer their wines at Hotel Balneario Las Arenas in Valencia. Entrance tickets: €10 € (€5 in advance) Tastings: €60

16 February. Continuing with their series of wines sourced from different types of soils, Los Amigos de la Vid y el Vino in Alcobendas (Francisco Largo Caballero, 44) present today a tasting of wines from volcanic rock vineyards around the world: Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2014 (Auckland, New Zealand), Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos St Urbain 2014 (Alsace, France), Suertes del Marqués El Chiribique 2015 (Valle de la Orotava, Tenerife), Passopisciaro Contrada Porcaria 2011 (Campania, Italy), Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpina Aglianico 2010 (Sicilia, Italy), Cayuse Cailloux Syrah 2013 (Walla Walla Valley, USA), Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill 2006 (California, EEUU) and Barbeito 10 years Sercial Reserva Velha (Madeira, Portugal) Time: 19:00 Price: €50 Bookings on +34 669 404 169

16 and 23 February. Vináliti Wine School in Málaga (Salinas, 3) examines the DO Toro with a two-day seminar that includes historical information, terroir description, authorized grapes, wine styles and a blind tasting with wines from the region. Time: 20:30 Booking is necessary on +34 952 218906

20 February. Count Marone Cinzano, owner of Brunello de Montalcino's Col d’Orcia, will visit Monvínic in Barcelona (Diputació, 249) to explain this Italian region and will uncork wines from some of the most prestigious producers in the region. The tasting will finish with a small Col d’Orcia vertical. These are the wines at the tasting: Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino 2015, Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino 2012, Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino, Nardi Brunello di Montalcino, Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino, Capanna Brunello di Montalcino and Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2013, 2012, 2004 and 1998 Time: 20:00 Price: €55 Bookings on +34 932 726 187

22 February. Viticulture specialist Fernando Martinez de Toda, professor at the University of Logroño in La Rioja presents, along with training centre Outlook Wine in Barcelona a seminar about Vineyards, Climate and Quality with a look at different winegrowing issues: Introduction to Winegrowing and Greatest Achievements, Making Wine from the Vineyard: A la Carte winegrowing, Keys to Obtain High Quality Grapes and High Temperatures and Climate Change. Location: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (Plaza de España 6 and 8) Price: €140+VAT Time: 10:00-13:30 and 15:00-17:30

22 February. Restaurant Guardaviñas (Marqués de San Nicolás, 47) in Logroño has invited Itziar Insausti, txakoli winemaker at Doniene Gorrondona, to present her range of white wines from Bakio, a coastal town in Bizkaia (Basque Country). At the end of the tasting participants will be able to share a selection of dishes. Time: 20:30 Price: €35 Bookings on +34 941 12 31 92 

22 February. Fintan Kerr, aka Wine Cuentista, presents a tasting of six Cabernet Sauvignon wines from around the world. Their plan is to look at this grape variety and see how it's grown/vinified/blended around the world and what are the resulting styles. The following wines will be tasted: Chateau Senejac 2014 (Haut-Médoc), Marqués de Griñón Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Dominio de Valdepusa), Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2015 (Bolgheri), Andeluna Pasionado 4 Cepas 2013 (Mendoza), Turley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Napa) and Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Margaret River). Location: Carrer san Pere Mes Baix 92, Barcelona. Time: 19:00 Price: €30

23 February. At his store Coopervinos Centro in Zaragoza (Dr. Val-Carreres Ortíz 7), Michael Cooper presents a tasting of five wines that form part of what he calls "the B side of Rioja": Las Canteras Inspiración 2012 (Bodegas Valdemar), Xérico 2016 (Tentenublo), Martelo 2012 (Torre de Oña), CM 2015 (Carlo Moro) and Tentenublo 2016. Time: 20:30. Price: €18 (10% discount for purchases of these wines) Bookings on +34 976961528

24 February. In a relaxed and fun atmosphere, Cuatrogatos Wine Fest returns to host a party with two dozen Spanish producers and their wines: Quinta Milú, Almaroja, Verónica Ortega, Primitivo Collantes, Juan Piñero, Lagar de Sabariz, Cota45, Mayetería Sanluqueña, Entre os Ríos, Barco del Corneta, Alexander Jules, Viña La Callejuela, Coto de Gomariz-Xose Lois Sebio, Luis Pérez, Forlong, Casa Castillo, Celler Pardas, 4OJOS Wines, Goianea Koop -Txakoli UNO, De la Riva and Clos Lentiscus. Other producers who are unable to attend the party like Albamar or Suertes del Marqués will have their wines to taste.This third edition, open as always to anyone who enjoys wine, will take place on the gardens of Hotel Duques de Medinaceli in El Puerto de Santa María, in the heart of the Sherry Triangle. Hours: 12:00-19:00 Price: €18 advanced purchase, €22 on the day.

24-25 February and Saturdays and Sundays in March. Bodegas Bilbainas in Haro (La Rioja) is offering a three-wine tasting along with an exclusive tour of the winery with their winemaker. The tasting includes their Viña Pomal Crianza Selección 500, Viña Pomal Reserva 106 Barricas y La Vicalanda Reserva. Time: 11:30 Price: €20 per person with a minimum of 8 people and maximum of 15 people. Bookings on +34 610 486 893 or emailing reservas@bodegasbilbainas.com

26 February. Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) hosts a tasting of Piedmont wines, one of the most important wine regions in Italy. The following wines will be tasted: Steffano Belloti Nibiô 2013, Franco M. Martinetti Martin Blanco 2006, Ceretto Bernardot Barbaresco 2012, Roberto Voerzio Barolo Brunate 2012, Elio Altare Barolo Arborina 2012, Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2013 and Gaja Conteisa 2011. Time: 20:00 Price: €77

26 February. The 6th Salón de las Estrellas, held at Barcelona’s World Trade Center, presents the top value for money wines in the market and will include the launch of the Peñín Cava and Sparkling Wine 2018. Time: 11:30-19:30

26 February - 3 March. Ollauri (La Rioja) celebrates its 19th Wine Week with a series of presentations on topics such as Relearning to Prune - from the 1st Century to the 21st Century, Young People & Wine and an Introduction to Permaculture. On March 3rd the following wineries will present their latest vintages: Abel Mendoza, Concejo de Ollauri, Martínez Palacios, Valenciso, Marqués de Terán, Conde de los Andes, Bodegas Beronia, Bodega Lanzaga, Miguel Merino and Gómez Cruzado along with olive oils from Almazara El Alberque. The presentations are free and will begin at 20:00. The tasting takes place Saturday, March 3rd from 11:30 until 14:30. Price: €10. More information on the Amigos de Ollauri Facebook page.

28 February. This month’s activities at Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) finish with a sushi dinner paired with wines from Galicia and includes the following dishes and bottlings: Galician hake nigiri with Tricó 2015 (DO Rías Baixas); Galician nettle tempura with Cholo 2014 (DO Ribeiro); Galician sole futomaki with teriyaki, egg, cucumber, shiitake and Fedellos do Couto Bastarda 2016; Uramaki razor-shells with A Pita Cega 2013 (no DO), Cockles and parrocha maki with Pezas da Portela 2014 (DO Valdeorras) and Saint Valentine mochi with Pricum Late Harvest 2008. Time: 20:30 Price: €45 Bookings on +34 917 451 927

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 to yolanda@spanishwinelover.com