Wine tastings in January 2021

The pandemic continues to shape the beginning of this year with calls to minimize social contacts outside our family and work bubbles. If January is generally a month of austerity in terms of wine tastings in Spain, this 2021 begins without regular events such as Enofusión or the registration for the Vila Viniteca wine tasting in pairs competition. In any case, we will be updating our virtual and on-site tastings agenda as they are published.

4 January. The President of the Sherry Regulatory Board, César Saldaña, will conduct the special charity Saca Real tasting to raise funds for the Association of the Three Wise Men of Jerez (Reyes Magos), with the participation of Willy Pérez from Bodegas Luis Pérez, Antonio Flores from González Byass, Paola Medina from Williams & Humbert, Antonio Florido from Fundador, Salvador Espinosa from Díez Mérito, Sergio Martinez from Lustau and Eduardo Ojeda from José Estévez, with six wines from these wineries. The tasting can be followed on the Sherry Board's social media and on VinosdeJerezTV on Youtube. Anyone wishing to take part and receive the six samples at home must send an email to vinjerez@sherry.org. Time: 19:00 Price: €35

14, 21 and 28 January. Wine merchant Lavinia in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) resumes its activities in 2021 with three virtual tastings. The first, on 14 January, will discover the differences between cava and champagne (€125), the second (21 January) is a tasting of Mediterranean red wines (€95) and the third, on 28 January, is devoted to wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Time: 19:00 To receive the four wines for each tasting at home and to take part in the broadcast via Zoom, contact Lavinia at least six days before the date via email: laviniaempresas@lavinia.com

14, 22 and 28 January. In addition to the online beginners' course, for which we are holding a draw on our website, Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) in Madrid presents three different tastings this month, all via Zoom. The first, conducted by Juanma Ruiz Casado, is a tasting of red wines from Mallorca (Sòtil 2017 by Mesquida Mora, La Faula 2019 by Oliver Moragues and Gallinas & Focas 2017), the second is about Sicily (Il Frappato 2018 by Occhipinti, Calderara Sotana 2018 by Tenuta Delle Terre Nere and Don Antonio 2017 by Morgante) and the third, on the 28th, is an introduction to Bordeaux (Château Coutelin-Merville 2012, Chateau Bernateau 2015 and Château Charmail 2016). All tastings are at 8.30pm and they cost €80 (except Bordeaux, which is €105). Wine bottles and home delivery are included in the price. More information on +34 91 745 19 27

15 and 28 January and 4 February. Wine education centre Artean Wines in Bilbao presents a couple of online activities this month. The first, on the 15th, is an introduction to Burgundy wines via Zoom conducted by Ricardo Sanchoyarto, with the option of receiving three wines at home (€80) or just participating in the conversation (€35). The second is a tasting of seven European sparkling wines which will also be led by Sanchoyarto. The cost is €85 and the tasting will take place in  Pangea (Plaza Indautxu) in Bilbao. The last one, which is free, is a seminar about Rioja, Rueda and Ribera del Duero. More information on +34 615897474

16 January. Restaurant Entrevins in Valencia presents a tasting of Port with four wines, each of them paired with a tapa: Quinta do Javali Tawny 5 years; Andresen White 10 years; Quinta do Crastro LBV 2014 and Andresen Tawny Colheita 1991. Time: 12:30 Price: €39 

16 and 17 January. Bar and restaurant La Caníbal in Madrid (Argumosa, 28) presents Iron Curtain, a matinee in two sessions in which you can taste orange wines from Western and Eastern Europe accompanied by eastern Mediterranean dishes and good music. Time: 13:00-16:00 Reservations at info@lacanibal.com

19 and 26 January. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents two on-site tastings this month of what for them have been the most outstanding new white and red wines of the year that has just ended. In the first session, on the 19th, attendants will taste Pazo Baión Vides de Fontán, txakoli Marqués de Riscal, Ás de Mirabrás, Fino CB en Rama, Martin Codax Arousa, Vinyarets, Eduardo Peña La Vista, Pago Mota and Viña Albina. On the 26th it is the turn of the reds with Cair Selección La Aguilera, Chivite La Zorrera, El Gato Sumiller, El Jardín de La Emperatriz, Enrique Mendoza Finca Xaconero, Abadal Matís, Límite Sur Ramón Bilbao, Jesús Madrazo Selección, Fariña Gran Colegiata Original, Lucero de Cruz de Alba and Vicente Gandía Bobal Negro. Time: 19:00 Price: €35