Wine tastings in February 2023

After the post-Christmas slumber, tastings are back in full swing with events such as Off the Record, Women of Wine and the Barcelona Natural Wine Show. As usual, this list of events will be updated as new activities are announced, so come back to this page for further updates.

February. Barcelona Wine Week, Spain's most important trade fair for wine professionals, will be held from 6 to 8 February. For its many visitors, a handful of restaurants in the city are organising special paired dinners, tasting menus and other activities. You can check out the participating establishments on the link above.

1, 15, 16, 20 and 22 February. Lavinia wine bar in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) organises several activities this month: cava vs champagne ( 1st, €65), great wines of Spain (15th, €125.01), wines of the world (16th at Moraleja Green, €54.99) and wines and cheese (20th, €54.99). In addition, on the 22nd the store hosts "Our Picks for 2023" which is a tour of the wide variety of interesting projects happening in Spain right now presented by the producers behind the wines that aficionados will be able to buy and taste. This month's event includes producers such as Cantariña, Divina Proporción, Finca Sandoval, Los Loros, Magna Vides, Miguel Merino, Terra d'Uro and Virtus (€25 refundable with purchases over €50). All activities start at 19:00 except the Our Picks tasting, which will take place from 18:00 to 21:00.

2 February. Dr. Laura Mezei, from the Department of Wine Science at the University of Adelaide in Australia, will present a seminar entitled "Non-traditional Drought Resistant Varieties: Sensory Profile and Australian Consumer Acceptance" at the Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ICVV) in Logroño. Time: 11:30 No registration required. Free admission.

2 February. Joaquín Tomás Velasco, host of the programme Márcate un Vino on Radio Marca Albacete, is the promoter of the tenth edition of Salón Brindis, which will take place in the rooms of the Casino Primitivo in Albacete. It is focused on wineries from Castilla-La Mancha and most of the interesting producers of the region will be present, such as A Pie de Tierra, Altolandón, Arrayán, Balmoral, Bernardo Ortega, Calzadilla, Cano, Canopy, Cerrón, Corrales Espinosa, Dehesa de Luna, Dehesa del Carrizal, Finca Antigua, Finca Elez, Finca Río Negro, Finca Sandoval, Gratias, Illana, Jiménez Landi, La Niña de Cuena, Las Calzadas, Marqués de Griñon, Más Que Vinos, Mikaela, Molar de Rus, Patio, Pinuaga, Ponce, Rodríguez de Vera, Vallegarcía, Verum and Volver. As guests, from outside this community, will be the Asociación de Grandes Pagos de España, Bruma del Estrecho de Marín and Uvas Felices. Time: 17:00 to 21:00. Admission is free and invitations can be obtained by clicking on the link above.

2 February. The Lleida wine shop Vinicia (Humbert Torres, 19) presents a tasting of wines made by Bodega Sommos in Somontano, conducted by its winemaker José Javier Echandi. Time: 21:00 Price: €25 More information by email vinicia@vinicia.es or +34973 24 75 54

2, 7, 15, 16 and 21 February. The calendar of the Spanish Tasters Union in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) is full of interesting tastings this month: Jesús Madrazo and the wines he makes in Rioja and Ribera as well as others that bear his signature as winemaker (2nd), Rías Baixas wines with some ageing with Fernando Gurucharri (7th), Palos Cortados from Montilla-Moriles with Paco del Castillo (15th), Moscatel from Setúbal with Dani Poveda (16th) and the latest in white, sparkling and fortified wines (21st). Time: 19:00 Price: €35-40 (€20-25 members), depending on the activity.

5 February. The 11 wineries that make up Corpinat (Gramona, Llopart, Nadal, Recaredo, Sabaté i Coca, Torelló, Huguet de Can Feixes, Júlia Bernet, Mas Candí, Can Descregut and Pardas) host a tasting of 2022 vintage base wines (varieties and blends) from each brand, intended for the production of long-aged corpinnats. Guests will also be able to taste a bottled sparkling wine from each winery with a base wine from the most recent vintage. Place: Avenida Palace Hotel on Gran Via in Barcelona. Time: 17:00 - 21:00 with two time slots. Tickets must be purchased before 2 February. Price: € 20.

6 February. The Association of Sommeliers of Navarra presents a new seminar on Wines of Alicante. Time: 19:00 Venue: Hotel Don Carlos (Pamplona). Price: 40 € (25 € for members). To secure your place, please send an email to actividades@sumilleresdenavarra.com.

6, 7, 10, 15, 23 and 27 February. The wine shop Vila Viniteca has a full calendar of tastings this month in its Barcelona and Madrid stores. In Barcelona (Agullers 7), the agenda starts with an introduction to New World wines ( 6th, €69), Priorat (7th, €69) and Port and Madeira (27th, €69). In its Madrid premises (Fernán González, 29), the most interesting activities are a tasting of Gamay wines (10th, €45), Rayco Fernández and his projects Puro Rofe in Lanzarote and Bimbache Vinícola in El Hierro (15th, €39), Koldo Eguren and his Ukan wines from Rioja (23rd, €39) and Pinot Noir wines (23rd, €99 in the shop at General Díaz Porlier 45). Time: 20:00 -22:00. Discounts for members.

7 February. Can Rius (Enric Granados, 97) is again this year's venue for the Off the Record Wine Show in Barcelona with the presence of producers such as Xurxo Alba (Albamar), Verónica Ortega, Beatriz Herranz (Barco del Corneta), Roberto Oliván (Tentenublo), Albamar, Sílice Viticultores, Xabi Sanz (Zorzal Wines), Sota els Angels, Fredi Torres (one of the organisers), Clara Verheij (Bentomiz) Mario Rovira (Akilia), Javier Revert and Julia Casado (La del Terreno) among others. Time: 11:00-20:00 Ticket price: €16 

8 February. Also during the Barcelona Wine Week trade fair, the group Women of Wine presents its annual show at the Palacio Real de Pedralbes (Diagonal, 686) where you can taste wines from more than 40 women wine producers. Time: 19:00 - 22:00

8 February. This month, the San Sebastian wine shop Goñi Ardoteka presents a tasting of seven Swiss wines -generally difficult to find outside the country- accompanied by cheeses and food from the Alpine country, with varieties that are little known in Spain, such as Chasselas, Completer, Petite Arvine or Cornalin. The tasting is organised by Kiss My Glass! and presented by one of its members: Onecca Guelbenzu, sommelier and bassist of the rock band Las Furias. Time: 19:00 - 21:30 Price: €80 Registration at kissmyglass@winedefender.org

9 February. Fintan Kerr, aka Wine Cuentista, presents his first International Blind Tasting of the year at Aguita Vins in Barcelona (Carrer de la Volta d'en Colomines, 2), with six wines from around the world that will be accompanied by snacks and fun. Anyone wishing to participate should send a WhatsApp to +34 608234887. Time: 19:00 Price: € 40

9 February. Today is World Syrah Day and El Petit Celler in Sant Pere de Ribes, south of Barcelona (Rambla del Garraf, 48) is celebrating with a tasting of four wines made from this variety. At the end of the tasting you can enjoy a 10% discount in the shop on all the wines tasted. Time: 19:00 Price: € 20

10 February. Wine store El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2 Parquesol) presents a tasting with José Manuel Pérez Ovejas, owner of Dominio de Calogía and producer with 30 vintages behind him in Ribera del Duero. Five wines will be tasted today: Dominio de Calogía 2019 Magnum, Cuvée S 2019, Dominio de Calogía 2020, Dominio de Calogía sample 2021 and Cuvée S sample 2020. Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Book a spot via email: info@elbuengustovinos.es

10 February. The wine store Majuelos Singulares in Valladolid (San Ignacio, 9) presents a tasting of rosé wines from various wine regions: La Legua Rosado de una noche (Cigales), Valjunco Prieto Picudo Rosado -8león), Malaparte Oui (Cuéllar), Palacio de Villachica Rosado (Rioja) and Triennes Rosé (Provenza). The wines will be served with tapas. Time: 20:00 Price: €12  Inscriptions and information on info@majuelossingulares.com

10 and 24 February. The Amigos de la Vid y el Vino association in Alcobendas (Madrid) presents two fantastic tastings this month starring the Rhône and Bordeaux. The first one, on the 10th, will feature the following wines from Domaine Georges Vernay, one of the most prestigious producers in the Rhône: La Dame Brune 2017 (Saint-Joseph), Blonde du Seigneur 2016 (Côte-Rôtie), Le Pied de Samson 2020 (IGP Collines Rhodaniennes), Les Terrasses de l'Empire 2016 (Condrieu), Les Chailées de l'Enfer 2015 (Condrieu) and Coteau de Vernon 2017 (Condrieu). On the 24th the wines of Château Cos d'Estournel, the most prestigious winery in St-Estèphe and classified in 1855 as a Second Cru, will be presented: G d'Estournel 2019, Goulée by Cos d'Estournel 2015, Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc 2020, Cos d'Estournel Blanc 2015 and Cos d'Estournel 2017. Time: 19:15. C/ Francisco Largo Caballero, 44 (Agrupación PSOE, Alcobendas) Price per tasting: Members €35; non-members: €45.

12-13 February. The Salon de Vins Naturals returns to Barcelona (Nau Bostik, La Sagrera) organised by the Association of Natural Wine Producers (PVN). More than 60 producers from Spain and a handful from abroad will be exhibiting their wines. Catering service during the show will be provided by El Ginjoler. Opening hours: 12th: 10.00-18.00. 13th: 10.00-14.00 Tickets for both days cost €12 and include tasting glass. Buy your ticket on this link (tickets sold online only)

14 February. The Catering School at the University of the Basque Country in Leioa (Bizkaia) hosts a paired tasting of top champagnes conducted by Luis Balsega, sommelier at Smoked Room restaurant in Madrid. The sparkling wines are: Egly-Ouriet Blanc de Noirs, Jacques Selosse Brut Initial, Jacques Lassaigne Blanc de Blancs 2010, Krug Grande Cuvée, Louis Roederer Cristal 2009 and Salon Blanc de Blancs 2012. A menu prepared by the school's students will be served. Time: 13:45 Price: €200 Registration before 8 February.

From 14 February. The Rioja Alavesa Wine & Food Campus hosts a dozen 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 courses about communication, wine tourism or English for wine producers. Timetables and prices vary according to the activity.

15 and 16 February. This month's activities at Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) include a selection of Spanish cheeses by Guillermina Sánchez paired with wines (15th) and a tasting of wines from Beaune (16th). Both activities will be presented by Juanma Ruiz Casado. Time: 20:30 Price: €60 Reservations on +34 917 451 927

16 February. Barfutura centre in Madrid (Oriente, 3) has invited Santi Rivas, also known as Colectivo Decantado on social media, to present a tasting with 13 international wines as he takes guests through his new book Deja todo o deja el vino. Time: 19:00 - 22:00 Price: €40 

16 February. Cristina Osuna, winemaker at Toro Albalá, will be at Amontillado Wine Bar in Zaragoza (Hermanos García Mercadal LC5) to present some of the generoso wines she makes in this respected bodega in Montilla-Moriles: Poley Fino del Lagar en rama solera 10 años, Poley amontillado en rama solera 15 años, Poley oloroso en rama solera 15 altos, Poley palo cortado en rama solera 25 años y Don PX 2002. Time: 20:30 Price: €45. Call +34 976 876 793 to book a seat.

17 February. Wine store La Mercería in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid) presents the first of its tastings about wines from Burgundy starting with the following white cuvées: Jobard (Mersault), Etienne Sauzet (Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru), Jules Desjourneys (Macon Verzé), Olivier Leflaive (Saint Romain) and Billaud-Simon (Chablis). Time: 20:30 Price: €35 Bookings on telephone +34 914 495006

17-18 February. The theme of the 12th edition of the Haro Wine Carnival 2023 will be the Far West and will be held in the cloister of Hotel Los Agustinos. Different wineries from the city will present their new vintages in two sessions, although the names have not yet been announced. Tickets on sale from 3 February at this link.

21 February. The Artean Wines education centre presents a seminar on New Zealand wines at the Espacio Pangea in Bilbao (Plaza Indautxu) conducted by María José Huertas, sommelier at the Casino de Madrid. Time: 18:30 - 20:30 Price: €75 (€65 members).

22 and 23 February. Bar and restaurant Celler El Tros ie Barcelona (Mallorca, 303) presents a tasting of five Priorat wines in English. Time: 19:30 Price: €15 On the 23th, El Tros hosts a dinner prepared by the restaurant Quatre Molins based in Cornudella, Tarragona province (1 Michelin star) and paired with the wines of Celler Vall Llach, presented by owner and winemaker Albert Costa. Time: 21:00 Price: €85 

23 and 24 February. The Verema Experience returns to the Hotel Balneario Las Arenas in Valencia with three parallel commented tastings at 11:00 and another three parallel commented tastings at 13:00. In addition, in the afternoon, the Plenary Tasting and the Verema Awards Ceremony will be held. On Friday 24 February there will be a showroom and three more commented tastings.

25 February. The Zaragoza wine education centre Grape Bebop, managed by Jorge Orte, presents a seminar on Hungarian wines. There will be a tasting of 15 different wines, dry and sweet, of eight varieties and three blends, from the most representative Hungarian appellations. A booklet with information on the history, market and culture of wine, main regions and varieties will be handed out. The tasting will take place at Espacio Libersis (C./ Madre Sacramento, 46). Time: 9:30-14:00. Price: € 229.90 (VAT included) Registration deadline: 17 February.

25 February. The Association Viñas Viejas de Soria, which includes producers such as Dominio de Es or Dominio de Atauta, among others, along with the city council of this city in Castile, presents a selection of wines from 14 wineries in the municipal Market (Bernardo Robles square) with a free guided tasting in the morning, open to the public. 

27 February. The Association of Sommeliers in Navarra presents a tasting of A la Volé, a merchant and distributor of vigneron champagnes and singular projects in España. Time and Price: To be confirmed. The activity takes place in Hotel Don Carlos in Huarte, in the outskirts of Pamplona. Inscriptions can be done via email: actividades@sumilleresdenavarra.com