Wine tastings in February 2020

As we do every month, SWL compiles the most interesting activities for wine enthusiasts that take place in Spain. Four stand out this month: Cuatro Gatos Wine Fest in El Puerto de Santa María, where 20-odd terroir-driven producers from various wine regions in Spain will present their wines, two wine natural fairs in Barcelona called Vella Terra and Vins Nus as well as the new trade fair Barcelona Wine Week that incorporates activities for wine lovers in various spots in the Catalan city.

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

3 February. The Association of Sommeliers from Navarra has invited Aragonese sommelier Manu Jiménez to present a bunch of wines from different regions across the world: Furmint Mad Kovago, Domaine de Roches Neuves L’Insolite y Domaine de Roches Neuves Clos Romans, Marnes Blanches Savagnin les Molates 2018, Marnes Blanches Enpreinte Voile Empreinte Voilé, Domaine de l'Eglise Pomerol 2012, Segla 2012 Margaux, Chateau Musar Rouge 2012, Parker Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Viu Manent Vibo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. Where: Hotel Don Carlos (Pamplona). Price: €75 (€50 members). Inscriptions via email actividades@sumilleresdenavarra.com.

3-7 February. The professional fair Barcelona Wine Week, which takes place for the first time in the Catalan capital, opens up to the general public and takes wine to the high street with various events mixing wine and gastronomy, including a tasting of wines from DO Pla de Bages at Santa Caterina market, a tasting with panoramic views of the city at Mirador de Colom or Garnatxa Night party. Further information on this link.

3 February. One of the parallel activities during Barcelona Wine Week is the event organised by DOP Cebreros at the city's Amovino restaurant (Aribau, 30) with the presence of 13 winemakers, including among others Orly Lumbreras, Bodegas Arrayán, Daniel Ramos and Soto Manrique, and their wines accompanied by some food and good music. Time: 16:30-22:00

4 February. Flowers By Bornay (Melcior de Palau, 32) in Barcelona hosts Vinos Off the Record with the presence of small producers like Javi García (4 Monos), Xurxo Alba (Albamar), Verónica Ortega, Beatriz Herranz (Barco del Corneta), Roberto Oliván (Tentenublo), Villota, Sílice Viticultores, Jerôme Bougnaud, Sota els Angels, Fredi Torres, Mario Rovira (Akilia), Javier Revert or Julia Casado (La del Terreno) among others. Hours: 11:00-20:00 Price: €10 

From 4 February. The Rioja Alavesa Wine & Food Campus hosts over 35 courses to broaden the knowledge of professionals or people who want to enter the world of wine. Workshops range from how to promote your wine brand and other marketing strategies to a course for tourists guides or English for wine producers. Timetables and prices vary according to the activity.

6 February. Sommelier Meritxell Falgueras, owner of wine store in Barcelona Celler de Gelida, presents a tasting focused on Priorat with the following wines: Clos Mogador 2017 (René Barbier), Ferrer Bobet 2016 (Raúl Bobet), Vall Llach Porrera Vi de Vila 2017 (Albert Costa) and Cims de Porrera Classic 2010 (Adrià Pérez) Time: 20:00 Price: €35

7 February. Juan Park, director of Wine Intelligence for Spain and South America, presents the seminar 'Wine and Marketing' at the Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV) in Logroño. Time: 11:30 am, in the Assembly Hall of La Grajera, with free admission.

7-23 February. Over 400 restaurants, cocktail bars, cooking schools, gourmet shops, cultural centres, art galleries and museums in Madrid will take part in Gastrofestival 2020, an event aimed at promoting the city's gastronomy. Sadly, wine has little presence in the programme —barely half a dozen activities, including an exhibition of DO Madrid wines at Imidra.

8 February. Lapuebla de Labarca in Rioja Alavesa hosts a new edition of Uztaberri Eguna, a day centred on the village's wine. Some 20 local wineries will open their doors to visitors, who will have the chance to taste the wine from the latest vintage. The festival begins in the morning, with the opening of several "txokos", offering visitors some of their best products such as donuts, oil, olives, soap or "dulce de arrope" (a dessert made from grape juice). Time: 12:00 -19:00

9-10 February. Natural wine fairs seem to be like London red 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 fifth edition in Barcelona with the presence of over 140 small growers from Cataluña Cataluña (Alfredo Arribas, Sicus, Celler La Salada, Recaredo, Porcellanic, Escoda Sanahuja, Loxarel, Celler Frisach, Cosmic Vinyaters, Anima Mundi…), other Spanish regions (Gratias, Fernando Angulo, Bodegas Garay, 4 Kilos, Uva de Vida, Pigar, Azpillaga Urarte, Constantina Sotelo) as well as from Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Georgia, Sweden and Slovakia. As well as the fair, Vella Terra host several other activities at Garage Bar in Barcelona (Calabria, 75) during the week (New Jersey cuisine (7th) and Stockholm (8th), old vintages by pioneering producers (9th) and a dinner-party to wrap up the fair on February 10th. Further information on the link above. Opening hours: 12:00-19:30 (11:00-19:30 on Monday) Price: €20 Location: Estació del Nord.

9-10 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. This edition, held over two days and open to trade and wine lovers, will host over 60 small producers from Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and Japan. Restaurant service during the fair provided by El Ginjoler. Opening hours: 9 February: 10.00-20.00 (€10). 10 February:10.00-18.00 (€5 or free with Sunday’s glass and bracelet). Prices include a professional tasting glass. Tickets are not sold in advance, but at the door on the day.

11 February. The Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) hosts a tasting of fortified wines with the following brands: Barbeito 10 Years Malvasia Reserva Velha, Niepoort 20 Years Old, Tradición Oloroso VORS, Lustau Amontillado VORS, Berthet-Bondet MacVin du Jura and Les Clos de Paulilles Banyuls Grand Cru 2013. Time: 20:00 Price: €45 (Members: €39). Time: 20:00-22:00

14 February.  Coinciding with Valentine's Day, Vinoteca Vinosfera in Vitoria (Rafael Alberti), presents a tasting of five wines made by couples from different areas of Spain. After the tasting, Iberico ham and Idiazabal cheese will be served to accompany the wines. Time: 19:00-21:00 Price: €22 Bookings on info@vinosfera.es

15 February.  In a relaxed and fun atmosphere Cuatro Gatos Wine Fest returns for the fifth consecutive year, with two dozen terroir-focused Spanish producers and their wines: Quinta Milú, Almaroja, Verónica Ortega, Primitivo Collantes, Mas Doix, Cota45/De La Riva/Luis Pérez, Mayetería Sanluqueña, Entre os Ríos, Barco del Corneta, Viña La Callejuela, Coto de Gomariz-Viños de Encostas, Forlong, Península Viticultores and 4OJOS Wines, among others. This edition, open as always to anyone who enjoys wine, will take place in Hotel Puerto Sherry in El Puerto de Santa María. Time: 11:00-20:00. Price: €26 online (includes a glass and a meal served by local restaurant Viu). Further information on +34 607 510222

17 February. The Guide Peñín hosts its second Salón Selección in Málaga where they will present a selection of the Best Wines from Spain (90 points or higher) and the Best Value Wines (3, 4 or 5 stars) according to the 2020 Guide. Location: NH Málaga Time: 12:00-20:00 Price: €30

17 February. The Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) presents a tasting of special sacas and single cask sherries by Bodegas Lustau. The following wines will be provided: 3 En Rama Fino de El Puerto de Santa María 2019, 3 En Rama Fino de Jerez de la Frontera 2019, 3 En Rama Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Saca 2019,  Single Cask Amontillado del Puerto. Saca 2019, Single Cask Amontillado de Sanlúcar. Saca 2019, Single Cask Palo Cortado del Tonel. Saca 2019, Lustau Sherry 2002 and Tintilla de Rota Single Cask. Saca 2019. Time: 20:00 Price: €39 (Members €30)

17 February. With the term "vigneron" in fully fashion these days, few people in Spain are as true to its meaning as Abel Mendoza, who together with his wife Maite Fernández leads one of the most unique projects in Rioja. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) provides a great opportunity to meet Abel in person and taste the wines he makes from his 20 hectares of vines in and around San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Time: 19:00 Price: €35 (€20 for members)

19 February. One of the highlights of this month's events at Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) is this dinner paired with mozzarella and rosé wines from Spain and the rest of the world. Dishes will be prepared by Italian chef Massimo Di Cencio, and the wines to be tasted are Terre Nere 2018 Etna Rosato, Fazenda Prádio Rosado 2018, champagne Gourtorbe Rosé Brut, Valenciso Rosado 2018, champagne Olivier Horiot Rosé and champagne Lallier Grand Rosé Brut Grand Cru plus a sweet surprise. Time: 20:30 Price: €45 Reservations on +34 917 451 927

19 February. Wine store and restaurant Lavinia in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) hosts an activity that us die-hard wine lovers usually find very entertaining, particularly if it is done with a group of people: blind tasting. Juanma Bellver, Lavinia's director, will select a dozen bottles to challenge participants. Attention: the three best tasters will be awarded a prize. Tapas will also be served between wines. Time: 19:00 Price: € 55

19 February. Sommelier and producer Bruno Murciano presents at restaurant Casa Petrona in Valencia (Carrer del Pare Perera, 5) a tasting of his wines, made  primarily with the Bobal grape variety in the town of Caudete de Las Fuentes. The tasting will be followed by a dinner. Time: 20:00 Price: €29 Bookings on  610601019

20 February. Restaurant Los Cabezudos (Antonio Agustín 12-14) in Zaragoza has invited Guillermo Cruz, director and sommelier at Ambivium, the restaurant at Pago de Carraovejas, to present a paired dinner with some of the wines that this producer makes in Galicia, Rueda and Ribera del Duero: Viña Mein 2018, Ossian 2012, Capitel 2016, Pago de Carraovejas Reserva 2014, El Anejón 2015 and Cuesta de las Liebres 2015. Further information and bookings on info@grupoloscabezudos.es Time: 21:00 Price: €100

21-22 February. The legendary Orient Express is the theme of this year's Haro Wine Carnival, which also serves to present the new vintages of 13 wineries located in Haro. Location: cloister of the Los Agustinos Hotel in Haro. Price: € 30. Tickets can be purchased at the Haro Tourist Office.

22 February. Wine bar and restaurant Los Patios de Beatas in  de Málaga (Beatas, 43) hosts a tasting of international wines with the following cuvées: Samuel Billaud 2017 (Chablis), Barzen 2018 (Mosela), Catena 2016 (Mendoza), Taka Pinotage 2015 (Western Cape) and Schlumberger 2015 semi-sweet (Alsacia). Time: 13:15 Price: €20 The tasting will be followed by a lunch (€30). Further information and bookings on +34 952 210350

24-29 February. Ollauri in Rioja hosts its 21st edition of its Wine Week with an interesting programme of presentations about topics such as the dynamisation of rural areas, climate change in Rioja, the use of cork and the presentation by Alberto Gil and Antonio Remesal of their book Rioja Vinos Silenciosos. In addition, the Town Hall will host a tasting session on the 29th which will be open to everyone and will be attended by producers such as Abel Mendoza, Barbarot, Beronia, Bodega Lanzaga, Concejo de Ollauri, Conde de los Andes, Gómez Cruzado, Marqués de Terán, Martínez Palacios, Valenciso ad olive oil producer Almazara El Alberque. Presentations start at 20:00 from Monday to Friday and are free. The tasting on Saturday starts at 11:30 and finishes at 14:30. Price: €10  

27 February. Fintan Kerr, also known on social media as Wine Cuentista, presents a tasting of wines from southern Italy with the following cuvées: Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo 2018, Mastroberardino More Maiorum 2014, Leone de Castris Five Roses 2018, A Vita Ciro Classico Superiore 2015, Polvanera Primitivo 2016 and Borgodangelo Taurasi 2011. Where: Aguita Vins in Barcelona (Carrer de la Volta d'en Colomines, 2). Time: 19:00 Price: €30

27-29 February. The Experiencia Verema in Valencia starts this year with a tasting called “The versatility of Garnachas”, followed by the Verema 2019 Awards Ceremony and a dinner with the award-winning wines. On Friday and Saturday there will be several tastings featuring González Byass, Península Viticultores, Belondrade and Muga among others. During the two days of the event there will also be over 70 producers presenting their wines. Place: Hotel Balneario Las Arenas Price: € 10 (€15 at the door) The tastings and dinner have an additional cost.

28 February. Vila Viniteca hosts The Great Night of Priorat at Hotel Majestic in Barcelona with 15 renowned winemakers presenting a dinner with unique bottles and special formats of excellent vintages selected from the back of their cellars. In addition, each of the guests must bring one or more bottles of Priorat wine to share with their table companions and the rest of the guests. Chef Nandu Jubany will prepare a special menu for this occasion. The producers who will attend the event are: Álvaro Palacios, Mas Martinet, Celler Nin Ortiz, Cims de Porrera, Mas Doix, Les Cousins, Mas Alta, Alfredo Arribas, Casa Gran del Siurana, Celler Cecilio, Clos Figueras, Ferrer Bobet, La Conreria d'Scala Dei, Perinet, Scala Dei and Celler Vall Llach.

28 February. José Hidalgo, technical director at Bodegas Astrales presents at El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2) a tasting of the wines that this producer makes in several wine growing regions: Astrales Verdejo 2018 (Rueda), Astrales Godello 2011 (Valdeorras), Astrales 2016 (Ribera del Duero), Astrales Christina 2016 (Ribera del Duero) and Astrales Luma 2016 (Ribera del Duero). Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Further information and bookings on +34 983 377 199

29 February. Sommelier Pilar Cruces from Lust for Wine presents Tasting Notes "De lo moderno", a combined music performance with Susana Gómez Vázquez at the piano and a tasting of four wines presented by Pilar. Time: 12:00 at the Tres Cantos Municipal Auditorium (Madrid). Tickets: €8

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 yolanda@spanishwinelover.com