Wine tastings in May 2017

Once more, Sherry wines travel across the Iberian peninsula and land in San Sebastián, where this year’s Sherry Festival will take place between 5 and 14 May. The highlight on the second fortnight is El Alma de los Vinos Únicos, a tasting event organized by distributor Paco Berciano every couple of years in Burgos which will be attended by more than  120 producers both from Spain and other countries. A few days before this fun event, our editor Amaya Cervera will lead an interesting tasting at Madrid’s UEC about the country’s new breed of terroir-focused winegrowers.

Don’t forget to check for updates throughout the month!

1-19 May. The restaurant Celler de L’Aspic (Miquel Barceló 31) in Falset (Tarragona) continues with its dinners and tastings with the presence of producers like Alfredo Arribas (1 May), German wine distributor Michael Wohr (Egon Müller, 1 May), Lluis Prats (Gramona, 5 May) and Ester Nin and Salvador Battle (Nin i Ortiz & Cosmic Vinyaters, 19 May). Time: 13:30 and 20:30. Information and  bookings on +34 977 831 246

1 - 21 May. Several Cava producers celebrate the arrival of spring opening the doors of 12 cellars in Catalonia. For 21 days, they will host a range of wine tourism activities for people of all ages. Agustí Torelló Mata, Codorníu, Giró Ribot, Gramona, Juvé & Camps, Llopart, Segura Viudas, Sumarroca, Torelló, Vallformosa, Vilarnau and Vins el Cep organize a spring festival with promenades along the vineyards, tours with electrical bikes or helicopter, tastings, breakfasts and children’s activities.

3 May - 25 June. The arrival of the good weather encourages more people to drink white wine and the restaurant Pura Cepa Murcia (Plaza Cristo del Rescate, 8) has decided to organise a cycle of tastings and dinners with wines from a selection of grape varieties and different Spanish regions. The cycle commences on May 3 with a tasting of Albariño wines and continues with Verdejo (23 May), Palomino and Xarel.lo (6 June), Viura and Treixadura (20 June), and Godello and others (28 June). Time: 21:00 Price: €30 per session. Further information and bookings on +34 968 217 397

4 May. Wine merchant Vinicia in Lleida (Humbert Torres, 19) presents a tasting of Arzuaga Navarro wines, a producer based in Ribera del Duero. Time: 21:00 Price: €20   (Members €15) Further information and bookings on +34 973 247 554

5 May. Bar and store Wine Attack Madrid (Limón, 30) has invited Barbara Magugliani, one of the owners of Celler La Gutina in Alt Empordà, to present their new vintatages paired with the dished prepared by chef Carlos Campillo for the occasion. All the wines made by this producer will have a 10% discount and no corkage fee. Additionally, all of La Gutina’s wines by the glass will cost €2 on the night. Time: 20:30 Further information and bookings on  +34 910 560 241

5 May. Birlibirloque Bar in Valencia (Calle de la Paz, 7) hosts a paired dinner with live flamenco. The following Jerez and Montilla-Moriles wines will be served: Fino Camborio,  Manzanilla Pasada La Goya, Amontillado Juan Piñero, Oloroso Cruz Vieja and Don PX Gran Reserva 1986. Time: 21:45 Price: €58 € Further information and bookings on +34 963 333 523

5-14 May. After the shows in Madrid and Barcelona, the Sherry Festival travels to San Sebastián in the Basque Country. The main event will take place on 8 May at Hotel Maria Cristina: a professional event with the chance to taste over 200 wines from the Sherry Triangle. The general public will also be able to enjoy tastings and seminars, gourmet experiences, pintxos, paired dinners and Sherry wines at special prices in the city’s bars and restaurants, as well as special prices on some of the city’s wine stores.

6 May. Enoteca Barolo in Madrid is going on a trip to Segovia with friends and champagne. The plan consists of getting on a coach full of cold champagne bottles, which will be uncorked on road. Destination? The first stop is a visit to Ismael Gozalo (MicroBio Wines), and a tasting of some of his wines at the vineyard. After the visit, we will go for lunch to Restaurante Maracaibo in Segovia where a menu of giant beans and suckling pig awaits. Champagne will of course be served with the food: Racines de Trois, Waris Larmandier, Elegance de Vicent Couche,  Métisse de Olivier Horiot, Paul Goerg Absolu. Time: 10:00ish Price: €90

8 May. Producer Xabi Sanz will visit Vinoteca Tierra in Madrid (Taberneros, Calle Santiago, 9) to present a tasting of wines made in Navarra under the brand Viña Zorzal. Further information and bookings on +34 91542 2160 

9 May. Vide, Vide in Santiago de Compostela (Rúa da Fonte de Santo Antonio, 10) in Galicia hosts a presentation led by sommelier Sara González (La Garnacha de Sara) about the singularities of the vineyards in the Canary Islands followed by a tasting of five wines from the archipelago. Time: Precio: €25 Further information and bookings on +34 981 58 29 11 

12 May. Wine store Majuelos Singulares in Valladolid (San Ignacio, 9) presents a  tasting of Bierzo wines with the following brands: Los Pedregales 2015, Viñademoya 2016 y Baloiro Selección en Viña 2010 (Luzdivina Amigo), Chelva 2015 y El Couto Mencía 2015 (Pagos de Nona), Akilia Villa de San Lorenzo 2013 (Akilia) and Massuria 2018 (Mas Asturias). Time: 20:30 Price: €12 Further information on +34 983 370974

12 May. More than 10 years ago, Diego, Álvaro and Fito decided to embark on a project to make organic wines sourced from local grapes in Galicia and they called it Cume de Avia. Today they will be at Wine Attack in Madrid (Limón, 30) presenting their wines. For those interested in buying them,  there will be a 10% discount in all the range plus free corkage. Booking is necessary on +34 910 560 241. Time: 20:30-22:30

13-14 May. The sixth edition of the festival DO Arlanza Wines with History  takes place this weekend with tastings, tours of the wineries in the area, competitions, music and an exhibition about the village of Covarrubias and its wine tradition. Tastings will take place in the village town hall and are free. Further information on +34 947 406461

13-21 May. The Binissalem appellation hosts Wine Days Mallorca across several towns and the presence of the wineries of the region. There will be tastings, food, winery tours, art exhibitions, markets and concerts.

15 May. The Experiencia Verema will be in Seville (Hotel Silken Al-Andalus Palace, Avenida de la Palmera, s/n) for the first time with the presence of over 70 producers and distributors and their wines. Attendants will have a chance to attend two tasting workshops: one with Lustau and another wine with wines from Campo de Borja. Inscriptions are free but a €5 glass deposit is requested and will be reimbursed after the event. Time: 12:00 - 21:00

15 May. Wine centre Vináliti (Cortina del Muelle, 7) in Málaga has organized an specialist course about Málaga terroir to understand the identity of this little-known denomination of origin with several wine growing areas like Axarquía, Montes, Ronda, Zona Norte and Costa Occidental. The course will be held over three consecutive Mondays. Time: 20:30 - 22:30. Price: €120 (€95 for members)

17 May. The Spanish Union of Tasters, UEC (Lope de Vega, 27) in Madrid presents an  essential tasting for anyone wanting to learn more about the new vignerons in Spain. Led by SWL editor Amaya Cervera, the following wines will be tasted: Buena Pinta, Peña el Gato Garnacha Viñas Centenarias, Bárbara Forès El Templari, La Zorra Raro Rufete, Algueira Brancellao, Gatzara Trepat, Gregorio Martínez Finca Mazuelo, Sedella and Maestre Vilavell. Time: 19:00 Price: €35 (Members €20).

18 May.  Maestrazgo Wine Club is an initiative by Fintan Kerr, writer of the blog Wine Cuentista, in which a group of wine lovers gather in Barcelona (Carrer Sant Pere Mes Baix, 90) to take part in varied wine tastings in English covering all sorts of wine styles and types. Today discussion will focus on the Terroir manifesto in Spain and the producers behind it followed by a tasting of six of their wines: Raventós i Blanc Silencis 2014, Barco del Corneta 2014, Celler Comunica La Peluda 2015, Verónica Ortega Roc 2012, Telmo Rodríguez Pegaso Granito 2010 and Artadi Valdeginés (vintage tbc). Time: 19:00 Price: €30 Further information on fintankerr@winecuentista.com 

18 May. Sourced from the same region, the same area and with similar grape varieties, producers which respect their terroir, the only thing that distinguishes them is that some prefer to make their wines in wood versus cement. Led by Nico Boise, sommelier at Elkano in Getaria, wine store Goñi in San Sebastián (Aldamar, 3) presents this interesting tasting with the following wines: Champagne Egly Ouriet Brut Tradition, Champagne Esprit Nature de Giraud, LZ de Cía Telmo Rodríguez, Malaspiedras de El Mozo Wines, Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape and Domaine de Villeneuve Châteauneuf du Pape Les Vieilles Vignes. Time: 19:30 Price: €38 Further information on +34 943 21 15 97

19 May. As part of its #DinnersWithRibera, Grupo Tudanca in Aranda de Duero (Burgos) has organised for today a dinner with the wines of Bodegas Valtravieso, presented by its winemaker and whose vines are located at 700-1000 of altitude, one of the highest in Ribera del Duero. Time: 20:45 Price: €45

19 May. Bodegas César Príncipe pioneered the creation of DO Cigales with quality wines. Today winemaker and owner Ignacio Príncipe will be at La Buena Vida in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2) to present a vertical tasting of three vintages of César Príncipe Tempranillo; a warm year (2006), a cold year (2010) and the current vintage (2014). As well as 13 Cántaros Nicolás, his new wines will also be there for tasting: rosé El Charlatán, 100% Garnacha and César Príncipe Blanco, 100% barrel-aged Verdejo. Time: 20:00  Price: 20:00 Further information and bookings on +34 983 377 199

19 May. The Asociación de Amigos de la Vid y el Vino in Alcobendas in Madrid (Francisco Largo Caballero, 44) has organised a blind tasting with national and international wines aimed at having fun and talking about the experience rather than at guessing the wine behind the mask. Time: 19:00 Price: €25 (€20 for members) Further information on +34 669 404169

19 May. Wine retailer Tiza y Flor in Alicante (César Elguezábal, 31) organizes a tasting to find out the differences -or lack of- between Graciano and Tintilla varieties with the following brands: Viña Zorzal Graciano 2014, Viña Zorzal Cuatro del cuatro 2015, Mahara 2011, Xi'pal Gracia vid 2014, Forlong Tintilla 2014, Abel Mendoza Grano a grano graciano 2009 and Gonzalez Byass Tintilla de Rota dulce 2009. After the tasting there will be a selection of cheeses provided by Cave à Fromage. Time: 19:00 Price: €40

19-21 May. The Mostra de Vins i Caves del Baix Penedès, which will take place in Llorenç del Penedès, includes the presence of local producers such as Jané Ventura, Finca Mas Perdut or Cellers Domenys, among others as well as several other wineries from the rest of Cataluña. As well as tastings, the festival will have a paired wine cocktail workshop, a tasting of bread, wine and music led by journalist Ruth Troyano, concerts and children’s activities. Prices vary depending on the activity.

20 May. The Envero Awards are looking for 1,000 noses to taste and act as jury in the 20th edition of this competition that will be held in Aranda de Duero (Burgos)  Amateurs and professionals can both be members of the jury and inscriptions are free.

20 May.  Several Spanish appellations have joined forces to form Movimiento Vino DO to promote wine consumption, particularly among the young. Today they have organised a group toast at 13:30 in a festive and popular atmosphere in different wine regions across Spain, Check the link above to find out all the activities planned for the day. 

21 May. The appellation Txakoli de Álava hosts an event to celebrate its wines with a tasting of 2016 vintage txakoli made by the seven producers in this small Basque DO as well as pintxos, music, a garrafa de Aiala competition (a summer drink made with txakoli, ice, sugar, lemon, brandy and salt) and stands with local produce. Time from 11:30 in Parque del Guk in Amurrio, a 30-minute drive from Bilbao.

22 May. The latest edition of Salón Vinoro gathers at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid (Pza. Lealtad, 5) a selection of Spanish wines which have won awards at various internacional competitions. It is a trade event during the day but doors are open to the general public in the evening. Time: 19:30 - 22:00 Price: €25

22 May. Paco Berciano is one of the most interesting distributors in Spain stocking fantastic selections from Spain and beyond. Once every two years he organizes El Alma de los Vinos Únicos, a wine fair attended by over 120 producers both from Spain and abroad who will bring over 600 wines to taste. Names such as Alain Graillot, André Clouet, Algueira, Cristiano Van Zeller, El Maestro Sierra, Emilio Hidalgo, Heymann-Löwenstein, Juan Antonio Ponce, Mauro, Oddero, Quinta da Muradella, Raúl Perez, Recaredo, Suertes del Marqués, Teso La Monja, Thibault Liger-Belair and Viños de Encostas, among others. The event will be held at Fórum Evolución in Burgos. Entrance to the fair costs €30 (€40 at the doora). People traveling from Madrid can board a coach booked for the occasion (€10 return ticket). Event hours: 11:00 to 20:00

23 May. Lavinia (Ortega y Gasset, 16) in Madrid hosts a vertical tasting with Peter Sisseck in which the Danish winemaker will talk about the red wines he makes at Château Rocheyron in the historic Bordeaux terroir of Saint-Émilion: 7.4 hectares of old Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. Time: 18:30  Price: €75 

23 May. Basque producer Garikoitz Ríos will be today at Cork wine bar in Bilbao (Licenciado Poza, 45) to present a new Itsasmendi wine “which is said to be "unique and inimitable”, as well as going through some of the best vintages of this txakoli producer based near Gernika. Time: 20:00 Price: €30

24 May. Óscar Soneira, author of the blog Hemoglovinum, presents a tasting of single varietal reds from four French regions: Domaine Vaquer L’Expression 2014 Cariñena (Côtes – Catalanes), Domaine Olivier Guyot Clos des Vignes 2014 Pinot Noir (Côte de Nuits), Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse 2014 Grenache (Côtes du Rhône) and Chinon Epaule Jete 2012 Cabernet Franc (Loire). Location: La Vicoca, Carrer d’Hostafrancs de Sió, 18, 08014 Barcelona. Time: 19:30  Price: €15

25 May. Wine merchant Vinacoteca in Barcelona (Valencia, 595) organizes a tasting of world Garnachas ranging from Garnatxa Blanca from Terra Alta or Montsant to Priorat, Montsant, Sierra de Gredos, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Aragón, Roussillon or Sardinia. The following wines will be tasted: Vinyes Domènech Rita 2013; Gamberro Garnacha Blanca 2014; Vinyes Domènech Teixar 2014; Alvaro Palacios Dofí 2014; La Mujer Cañón 2014; Alto Moncayo 2014; Clos des Fées La Petite Sibérie 2005; Tenuta Soletta Keramos Cannonau Di Sardegna 2008; Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale 2008. Time: 20:30 Price: €50

25 May. Telmo Rodríguez is one of Spain’s most renowned producers internationally partly thanks to his defense of terroir and identity. Today he will be at Umami Gijón (Av. Rufo Rendueles, 8) to take part in “Umami Market”, an opportunity to taste the wines  he makes across various Spanish regions from Axarquía in Málaga to Garnacha from slate soils in Ávila, as well as those from Rueda, Cigales, Toro, Ribera, Galicia, Alicante and Rioja, including his family’s brand Remelluri. Between wines, participants will have a chance to taste some of the prêt-à-porter food available in the store. Time: 17:00-23:00 Price: €15

25 May. Bodega Santa Cecilia in Madrid (Blasco de Garay, 74) presents a tasting of wines from Argentina and Chile, two countries which share latitudes, but have contrasting altitudes, grapes varieties and climates. These are the Chilean wines at the tasting: Casa Silva Sauvignon Gris 2014, Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2015 and Sideral Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc 2010. From Argentina, the brands are Salentein Reserve Chardonnay 2013, Salentein Reserve Malbec 2014 and  Bobo 2010 Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Time: 19:00 Price: €35 (€30 members).

26 May. The Aula de Catas by Enodiffusion in Toledo (Calle la Plata, 7) presents a tasting of red wines paired with spicy chocolates and marzipan. The wines are sourced from nearby producers. Time: 20:00 Price: €16Further information on +34 664 322 292

26-27 May. Have you ever dreamt of being one of the world’s 400-odd wine professionals who hold a Master of Wine title? The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) and Fundación para la Cultura del Vino organize a two-day seminar led by MW such as Pedro Ballesteros, Norrel Robertson or Sarah Jane Evans, among others. They will explain the MW approach to the examination syllabus with a special focus on the writing and tasting skills required to become a Master of Wine. The class will include tastings of different wines from different regions of the world. As well as tastings throughout the day, evening dinners are included as part of the programme. The seminar is in English and will take place in Bodegas Muga in Haro, in La Rioja. Price: €500

30 May. DO Campo de Borja celebrates its 13th Garnacha Tasting in the Museum of Zaragoza (Plaza de los Sitios) with the presence of nine producers from the appellation: Alto Moncayo, Aragonesas, Bordejé, Borsao, Pagos del Moncayo, Román, Ruberte, Palmeri Sicilia and Crianzas y Viñedos Santo Cristo. As in previous years, Garnacha wines will be paired with Jamón de Teruel and  Acebo cheese from the Moncayo mountains. There will be a professional tasting with12 wines from the DO, plus three wines from Sardinia, this year's guest region. Tickets cost €10 at the entrance of the Museum. 

31 May. Monvínic (Diputació, 249) in Barcelona has invited sommelier Xoan Cannas, director of Galicia's Wine Institute, to present a session devoted to Galicia's new wines with a chance to taste the following: Albamar Rias Baixas 2015,  Fulcro Rias Baixas, Lagar de Pintos 2014, Señorio de Rubios 2015, Issué 2014, Salvaxe 2015, Cume do Avia Colleita Pantasma 2015, A Coroa Cestos 2015, Algueira Brancellao 2013, Azos do Pobo 2014, Castro Candaz El Curvado 2015 and Quinta da Muradella Candea 2015. Time: 20:00 Price: €55