Wine tastings in March 2023

March is a good month to enjoy wine tastings. In addition to the Vila Viniteca Wine Tasting in Pairs competition, which this year is being held in Madrid and where the public can go and taste hundreds of wines, other events such as Peñín and Verema are also held in several Spanish cities. For those who prefer a more informal setting, distributor Federico Ferrer's Cuatrogatos "sarao" in El Puerto de Santa Maria is an excellent opportunity to taste wines made by small producers from different wine regions of the country. 

1, 3, 8, 9, 21 March. Lavinia wine bar in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) organises several on-site activities this month: wine and aroma tasting ( 1st, €54.99); "Our producers to watch in 2023" which is a tour of the wide variety of interesting projects that exist today in Spain with the presence of the winemakers behind the wines that wine lovers will be able to buy and taste (€25 refundable with purchases of more than €50); women and wine ( 8th, €50), dinner with producer Raül Bobet ( 9th, €70), Rioja and Ribera new releases ( 21st, €50) and food and wine pairing with New World wines ( 30th, €65). More information about opening times and reservations in the link above.

2 March. The Barcelona wine shop Celler El Tros (Mallorca 303) presents a tasting of Terra Alta wines with the following selections: Ilercavònia 2022 by Altavins Viticultors, Vine 2021 by Mas Sersal, El Sender 2019 by Lafou Celler, Lo Syrah del Grau 2018 by Josep Vicens and Josefina Piñol 2017 by Celler Piñol. Time: 19:30 Price: €10.

2 March. Wine educator Fintan Kerr presents this month in Barcelona a tasting of six wines made from the Nebbiolo variety in northern Italy: Vietti Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Bruno Rocca Barbaresco 2016, G. D Vajra Albe Barolo 2016, Antonio Vallana Figlio Spanna 2016, Sandro Fay Il Glicine Sassella 2016 and Le Piane Boca 2015. The tasting will take place at Aguita Vins at 19:00 and reservations must be made via WhatsApp on this number: +34 608234887.

2 March. The Vinaliti tasting school in Málaga (Cortina del Muelle, 7) presents a four-session training course featuring wines from Tokaj, Jerez, Oporto, late harvest and ice wines. Price: € 140 (discounts for former students). More information at info@vinaliti.es

2 March. The Lleida wine shop Vinicia (Humbert Torres, 19) presents a tasting of wines made by Amaren, in Rioja Alavesa, led by Rafa Nieto. Time: 21:00 Price: € 25 More information by email vinicia@vinicia.es or on +34 973 24 75 54

2 March. Roberto Rodríguez will be today at La Canibal in Madrid (Argumosa, 28) to present Adega Entrecantos, a project born in Ribas de Sil, in Ribeira Sacra, with 2.5 hectares of vines in soils of pebbles, slate and clay and minimal intervention. Time: 18:00 -20:00 Price: €15 You can book your seat on the link above

2, 7, 8, 9, 16, 21, 23, 27 and 30 March. The Vila Viniteca shops in Barcelona (Agullers, 7) and Madrid (Fernán González, 29 and General Díaz Porlier, 45) present a full calendar of tastings this month. The ones in Madrid start with a tasting of Garnacha wines from around the world ( 2nd, €125) and continue with Santi Rivas aka Colectivo Decantado (7th and 8th, €39), Curro Bareño and Vitícola Mentridana (21st, €39), Gredos wines by Uvas Felices (23rd, €55) and Gamay wines (30th, €45). In Barcelona the following tastings will be held: Jura wines ( 2nd day, €69), initiation to Jerez wines (7th, €55), Gamay wines (9th, €45), Cote du Rhône (16th, €65), Spanish white wines (27th, €99) and Loire wines with goat cheeses (30th, €55). More information and bookings on the link above.

3 March. The Instituto de Ciencias de La Vid y el Vino (ICVV) presents a free training course at the Salón de Actos Finca La Grajera, Logroño. It will be a lecture by Dr. Saioa Legarrea entitled "Chemical ecology applied to the vineyard: How to favour biological control by conservation". Time: 11:30 Registration is not required.

4 March. In a festive and relaxed atmosphere, the sixth edition of Cuatro Gatos Wine Fest is back, a fun and friendly "shindig" where distributor Federico Ferrer welcomes two dozen producers and 150 wines: Quinta Milú, Almaroja, Verónica Ortega, Primitivo Collantes, Juan Piñero, Cota45/De La Riva/Luis Pérez, Mayetería Sanluqueña, Entre os Ríos, Barco del Corneta, Viña La Callejuela, Coto de Gomariz-Viños de Encostas, Bat Gara, Mas Doix, Viña Zorzal, Filoxera y Cía, Península Viticultores and Garage Wines, among others. This edition, like all previous editions, is open to anyone who likes wine, not just professionals, and will be held in the Columbus room of the Hotel Puerto Sherry in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz). Time: 11:30-19:30. Price: €26 (€29 on the door)

4 March. The Vin La Vie Vinos shop, situated in the Ibiza municipal market in Madrid, presents a tasting of fortified wines (manzanilla Maruja, oloroso and amontillado Cruz del Mar and moscatel dorado) paired with Mexican cuisine. Time: 19:00 Price: €38 Reservations by phone on +34 629 985604

6 March.  The 4th Salón Selección de Málaga will allow visitors to discover and taste a selection of some of the best wines in Spain according to the Peñín Guide. The event will take place at the NH Málaga hotel (San Jancinto, 2). Time: 15:00 - 21:00

9-19 March. The fifth edition of the Passeig de Gourmets food and wine festival, held on Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia, will once again feature cava as the drink to enjoy in its food tours, themed dinners, gastronomic experiences, gourmet sandwiches and special menus. In the latter case, meals will be served at a cost of €55 with a minimum of 3 glasses of cava, or €70 with a cava pairing, tailored to each of the dishes. More information on the link above.

10-11 March. Have you ever dreamed of being one of the more than 400 wine professionals in the world who call themselves Masters of Wine? The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) and the Foundation for Wine Culture organise an introductory course conducted by Jonas Tofterup MW and with the participation of other Masters of Wine explaining in a practical way all the steps to obtain the title, with tastings, meals and a variety of practical exercises. The seminar is in English and will take place at Bodegas Muga in Haro (La Rioja). Price: €650 (includes two lunches and one dinner).

11 March. Xabi Urizar (@Xabi_cacaotasting), professional chocolate taster, will be today at El Retrogusto es Mío (Bardenas Reales 68, Sarriguren, Pamplona) presenting a tasting of six wines selected by El retro and six chocolates specifically chosen to go with them:  Cerro Amurdi Clarete 2022 (LMT wines), Txuria 2021 (Aseginolaza & Leunda), Paal 2018 (Bodegas Caudalia), El temblón 2021 (Amatria Vinos y Viñedos), Coteaux du Layon Passerillé 2018 (Delesvaux) and Gran Barquero Oloroso (Bodegas Pérez Barquero). Time: 12:00 Price: €35.

11, 15, 16 and 23 March. Sommelier Pilar Cruces, creator of Lust for Wine, hosts several activities this month: a traditional Castilian lunch and wine casino at Dominio de Cair, the Ribera del Duero winery owned by Familia Luis Cañas (11 March, €95), a tasting called "Tell me what you listen to and I'll tell you what you drink" at Restaurante Clarita (Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 19 Madrid, 15 March, 21:00), a seminar about Piedmont at La Pícara Gastroteca (C. Sta. María, 2, Aranda de Duero, 16th, 20:30, €35) and a presentation on Tuscany on the 23rd at Sala Lust for Wine in Burgos (Plaza Alonso Martínez, 7A Oficina 57, 20:30, €45). Lust for Wine members benefit from special prices and additional activities.

12 March. Even if you haven't managed to secure a place at the Vila Viniteca blind tasting in pairs competition in Madrid, you can still be present at the most awaited competition of the year for wine lovers, where you can also taste wines from around 60 exhibiting wineries and enjoy a buffet of artisan cheeses. Time: 11:00 - 18:30 Price: €30

13 March. The Association of Sommeliers of Navarra presents a new tasting of wines from Alicante with Pepe Mendoza. Time: 19:00 Venue: Hotel Don Carlos in Pamplona. To secure your place, please send an email to actividades@sumilleresdenavarra.com

13 and 27 March. The Verema Experience includes two events this month. The first, at the Miramar Hotel in Malaga, will feature a show with around two dozen producers and Regulatory Boards and guided tastings of Bodegas Lan, DO Campo de Borja and Jean Leon. The Mallorca event will take place at the Victoria Gran Meliá hotel and in addition to the show there will also be guided tastings (Opening hours: 12:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 21:00. Tickets from €15 online and €20 at the door).

14, 16, 27 and 29 March. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid presents several activities this month. On the 14th, Paco del Castillo leads a tasting of Moscatel from Málaga in three versions, sweet, natural and fortified; on the 16th the wines will come from Fronsac, in the Libournais; on the 27th, Pedro Ballesteros MW hosts a videoconference to talk and taste  integral producer cavas and to finish the month, Luis Vida will present a tasting of wines from Canon-Fronsac, on the Bordeaux right bank. Time: 19:00 Price: from €40 per tasting (discounts for members)

14, 21 and 23 March. Among this month's activities at Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211), three stand out: red wines from Chambolle in Burgundy ( 14th, €75); Italy and its grape varieties, with Juancho Asenjo: Friuli and the whites of north-eastern Italy (21st, €50) and wine and food pairing with dim sum by Naumi Uemura and international wines (23rd, €60). Time: 20:30 Reservations on +34 917 451 927

15 March. Julián Palacios presents today at Villa-Lucía in Laguardia (Álava)  the 5th Living Viticulture Conference entitled "How to look after vineyards so that they live to be 100 years old again", which will focus on soil management and pest control. Some of the speakers are Manel Badia, expert in keyline design, grower and producer Roberto Oliván of Tentenublo, Raquel Campos, scientist at CSIC, Alfred Ferris, expert in farming with animal traction, Teresa Martínez, viticulture director at Gramona and Tao Platón, technical director at Península Vinicultores. Time: 09:00 - 14:00  Price: €85 (Students €50)

15 March. Bodegas Sierra Cantabria in San Vicente will be the guest producer this month as part of the 'Underground Tastings' cycle in Logroño, organised by online newspaper NueveCuatroUno and Calado by Criteria. It will take place at Calado (Calle Ruavieja, 18) and in addition to wines, there will be pinchos prepared by Delicious Gastronomía. Time: 20:00 Price: €35.50

15-25 March. Amontillado Winebar in Zaragoza (Hermanos García Mercadal, Local 5) presents the second edition of Garnacha Week, with the possibility of tasting 30 wines by the glass of this variety -in addition to the 50 wines normally available. There will also be two paired tastings, a wine workshop and a tasting with the producer. Send an email to comunicacion@amontilladovinos.com for further details

16 March. In addition to the Rioja Alavesa Food and Wine Campus with specific courses on a variety of subjects, this month the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route has prepared a tasting of vigneron champagnes presented by Ricardo Sanchoyarto. Time: 16:00-19:00 Price: €75 (€45 for members)

16-17 March. Espacio Sabores in Logroño (C/ Marqués de San Nicolás, 88) presents Mujer, a series of tastings led by women such as Alba Ortuño from Bodega Fabio Coullet (Málaga), Verónica Ortega from Bierzo, Bibi García from Cortijo Los Aguilares (Ronda) and Adriana Ochoa from Bodegas Ochoa (Olite) on the 16th. The tasting on the 17th will feature four Rioja winemakers: Clara Canals from Ysios, Elena Corzana, Eva Valgañón from Alegre Valgañón and Clara Herrera from Finca Vistahermosa. Time: 20:30 Price: €25.

17 March. Wine store Vinosfera in Vitoria (Rafael Alberti, 24) presents a tasting of single varietal wines from five different native varieties. Time: 19:00 Price: €25

17 March. Wine store Vinicia in Lleida (Humbert Torres, 19) presents a blind tasting for eight persons with eight wines. Time: 21:00 Price: €60 Further information on club@vinicia.es

17-26 March. The town of Roses in Girona presents a new edition of its DO Empordà Tapas and Wine Route with 83 restaurants serving tapas made with local produce and wine from the region. Click on the link above to see all the participating businesses.

20 March. Wine Lovers in Salamanca (Íscar Peyra, 5) welcomes Rodrigo Pons, technical director of Familia Fernández Rivera, who will present some of the wines he makes in various areas of Castilla y León and La Mancha: Tinto Pesquera, Condado de Haza, Dehesa La Granja and El Vínculo. He will also uncork a special library bottle from the family's cellar. Time: 20:00 Price: €55 (discount for members) Inscriptions at @wineloversalamanca@gmail

22 March. The Coalla Gourmet shop in Madrid (Calle Serrano, 203) hosts a tasting of Galician wines served with quality snacks and Galician cheeses. The following wines will be tasted: Trico Anton 2016, Quinta Da Muradella Alanda White 2019, A Torna Dos Pasas red 2020, Leirana Albariño 2021, Godeval Cepas Vellas 2021, Mission Tres White 2017, Zarate Fontecon rose 2021, Da Terra Portela Do Vento Granito red 2019 and Guímaro Camiño Real 2020. Time: 20:00 Price: €68.

23-24 March. VinoSub30 is the only wine competition in which a jury made up of young people between 18 and 30 years of age is in charge of tasting and choosing the best wines of the contest. With 40 editions in Spain, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, VinoSub30 seeks to discover the preferences of young wine consumers and encourage responsible wine consumption among younger people. The organisers invite SWL readers between 18 and 30 years old to participate in the competition's jury. The blind tastings will be held at the Artiem Hotel in Madrid. Time: 08:00-14:00

24 and 28 March.The Barcelona wine shop Celler El Tros (Mallorca, 303) presents a tasting of wines from Herència Altés in Terra Alta accompanied by five cheeses (24th, €28) and the presentation on the 28th of four wines from two wineries in the region: Altavins and Celler Arrufí (free entry).

25 March. Artean Wines training centre in Bilbao presents a seminar on sparkling wines, both national and international, covering winemaking methods, tasting techniques, varieties and regions of production, conservation, service and pairings. Six sparkling wines will be tasted. Venue: Espacio Pangea - Plz. Indautxu. Time: 09:30-14:30 Price: €150

25 March. Familia Torres celebrates its Jornada de Naturaleza (Nature Day) at Mas La Plana vineyard in Pacs del Penedès. The purpose is to explore learn more about birds, both scientifically (ornithology) and artistically (ornithography), in an enclave with no fewer than 60 species of birds. There are also two children's workshops, one to build nesting boxes and bird feeders, and another for drawing. The activity will end with a tasting of two Familia Torres wines: Mas La Plana and Riesling Waltraud. In addition, the restaurant El Celleret serves a menu with local produce and paired with Penedès wines. Time: 10:00 to 14:00 (activity in Catalan). Adult price: €34 Children's price: €14 Menu: €39 (€16 children)

26 March. As part of its wine tourism activities, Alta Alella winery in Alella, near Barcelona, presents a family workshop to build an insect hotel and learn why insects are so important for pollination and grape growth in spring. After the activity there will be red and white musts for the kids and natural wines from Celler de les Aus for the adults. Time: 11:00 Price: €15.

27 de marzo. Bodegas Familiares de Rioja celebrates its 25th anniversary with a tasting of its 2022 vintage wines in Logroño and the presence of 50 bodegas of this association. The event will take place at restaurant Delicatto (calle Prado Viejo, 66). Price: €13 on the link above. Time: 19:00 - 21:30.