Wine tastings in May 2022

With the return of longer and warmer days, the tastings agenda is once again reaching almost pre-pandemic levels. Among all the events, we highlight the Rioja Garnacha tasting conducted by Amaya Cervera at The Wine Studio in Madrid and the growing number of small-format shows and festivals. The usual stores and restaurants, those that organize wine tastings month after month, are also featured in our agenda. Don’t forget to come back to this page for updates.

2 May. The Peñín Guide holds its first event in the Balearic Islands (GPRO Valparaíso Palace and Spa, Palma de Mallorca) with a showroom of producers and their Best Wines (rated 90 or more points) and Best Buys (with 3, four or five Stars) according to the 2022 Guide. Hours: 12:00 - 20:00

2-12 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, cultural activities, a nordic walk and music. Check the programme for prices and times.

2-31 May. The Fira del Vi de Falset continues this year in the wineries with visits and tastings in some 30 wineries in Priorat and Montsant. For more information on dates and times, click on the link above.

3 May. Spanish Wine Lover founder, Amaya Cervera, presents alongside The Wine Studio a tasting of Garnachas from Rioja where she will chart the different terroirs and producers in the region. The tasting will take place at The Wine Studio in Madrid (c/Marqués de la Ensenada, 16 Office 218). Time: 18:00 - 20:00 Price: €60 Email administracion@thewinestudio.es to book your seat.

5 May. As part of its series of conferences, the bodega Williams & Humbert (Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 641) in Jerez presents Juancho Asenjo, wine expert and humanist, who will speak about "The vintages in the great areas of the world. Jerez Urbi et Orbi". Time: 20:00 To confirm assistance, please send an e-mail to williams@williams-humbert.com

5, 6, 7, 12 and 14 May. Celler El Tros in Barcelona (Mallorca, 303) presents various activities this month combining wine, gastronomy and music: Five different cheesecakes made by Jon Cake and paired with Terra Alta wines (5th) and Gran Reserva cava (14th); artisan mountain cheeses and wines paired by sommelier Gisela Royes (6th), Catalan wines and music by Cesc Sansalvadó (7th), tasting of Austrian wines in English (12th). More information and bookings on the link above.

6 May. The Molino de la Ferrería hotel in Villacorta (Segovia) presents a French wine tasting with dinner conducted by Mónica Otero, sommelier at Lavinia in Madrid. Price: €40 For those who want to stay overnight at the Molino that night, the supplement for room + breakfast is €47 per person. More information and bookings on +34 639 216757

6, 14, 20, 22, 27 and 28 May. Sumoll Night is one of the central events of Microvi 2022, a series of wine-related events held in various villages in the Penedès region (Barcelona). On 20 May, a wine fair devoted to this Catalan red variety will be held in the Cloister of the Romanesque Monastery of Sant Sebastià dels Gorgs, with the presence of around 20 producers. Before that, on the 6th, there will be a tasting conducted by Bruno Tannino called "Montombra, Massis en esta pur", an initiative of Can Rafols del Caus and Mas Candí that celebrates the recovery of vineyards in the Massis del Garraf. On the 14th there will be a tasting of natural wines made by women in Les Gunyoles led by Mas Candí, an 8km walk with a wine tasting among the vines starting and finishing at Can Mitjans (2nd), a tasting of great Penedès red wines guided by the journalist Ramon Francàs (27th) and finally, Visexual (28th), a tasting conducted by David de Yzaguirre as part of the DO Penedès' erotic short stories competition.

6 and 20 May. The Asociación de Amigos de la Vid y el Vino in Alcobendas near Madrid hosts two exciting tastings this month: wines by sherry producer Maestro Sierra with Luis Gutiérrez (Amontillado 12 years, Oloroso 15 years, Palo Cortado, Oloroso 1/14, Oloroso 1/7 Anticuario, Amontillado 1830 Anticuario and Pedro Ximénez Anticuario) and a vertical tasting of Finca Dofí with the following vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The tastings will take place at the PSOE headquarters in Alcobendas (C/Francisco Largo Caballero, 44) Time: 19:00 Price: €65 each. Inscriptions on telephone number +34 669 404 169

7 May. The 9th Mostra de Vins Terres dels Alforins returns to Moixent (Valencia) with a tasting and sale of wines from producers such as Bodegas Arráez, Bodegas Enguera, Celler del roure Clos for Vi, Bodegas Daniel Belda, Bodegas Los Pinos, Sant Pere Vins, Venta del Puerto, Rafael Cambra, Revert, Casa Los Frailes and Clos de Lôm, live music and a popular lunch. Place: Calle Venerable Padre Moreno Timetable: 11:00 - 19:30

Saturdays and Sundays in May. As part of Fira del Vi, restaurant Celler de L'Aspic (Miquel Barceló 31) in Falset (Tarragona) offers a range of menus paired with wines from local producers as well as from Italy, France and Germany. Time: 13:30. Reservations required on +34 977 831 246.

7 and 21 May. The DO Jumilla hosts a series of wine tastings on a boat powered by sustainable energy on the Segura River. They take place during the first half of the year and are hosted by the region's winemakers. This month's tastings will feature Bodegas Torrecastillo (7th) and Alceño on the 21st. Tickets will be on sale the week of each of the tastings at a symbolic price and can be purchased on the link above.

7-28 May. Cava producers celebrate the arrival of spring opening the doors of 15 cellars. For four weeks, they will host a range of wine tourism activities for people of all ages. Agustí Torelló Mata, Covides, Giró Ribot, Juvé & Camps, Codorniú, Sumarroca, Vilarnau and Vins el Cep organize a spring festival with promenades along the vineyards, tours with electrical bikes, tastings, breakfasts and children’s activities. Prices vary depending on the activity.

8 May. The The V Natural Wine Show is held today at Central de Diseño de Matadero (Paseo de la Chopera, 14) in Madrid with the presence of more than 40 producers from different parts of Spain (La Perdida, Orly Lumbreras, Celler Tuets, Carlania, Hontza, Sexto Elemento and Pura Vida, among others) and some from abroad. Hours: 11:00 - 20:00 Price: €12

9 May. Garage Wine bar, La Caníbal and Portomarín restaurant have joined forces to organise Solo Uva natural wine fair with producers from Rías Baixas to Penedés, Alt Camp or Bajo Ebro in Catalonia, as well as La Mancha, León or Huelva and some international guests. Where: C/Valencia, 4 in Madrid. Opening hours: 18:00 to 21:00 Price: € 12

9 May. The Regenerative Viticulture Association organises the Second Regenerative Viticulture Symposium at the Vinseum in Vilafranca del Penedès, which will be broadcast live. The event, entitled 'Viticulture and Climate Change', aims to raise awareness among producers and growers of the need to change vineyard management to curb global warming, as well as to promote the principles of regenerative agriculture. The programme includes national experts in regenerative agriculture such as Josep Ramon Sainz de la Maza and Manel Badia, as well as Miguel Torres and international experts such as Joel Salatin, Pablo Borrelli and Johan Reyneke. Hours: 10:00 - 13:00

9, 16 and 23 May. The Vináliti wine education centre in Málaga (Calle Cortina Del Muelle, 7) presents a champagne course to learn about its varieties, zones, soils and wine styles during three consecutive Mondays in May. Time: 20:30 - 22:30

9, 25 and 31 May. Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) presents three tastings this month: red wines from Campania, with Juancho Asenjo (9th, €50), sushi paired with wines from around the world (25th, €55) and wines from San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja (31st, €70). Time: 20:30

10 May. Tastings are back at Umami Gijón (Avda. Rufo Rendueles, 8) with a selection of different styles of wines by Coalla. The wines to be tasted are: Champagne Camille Savès, Cava Llopart Reserva, Zárate, Pequenos Rebentos, Syrah d'Ogier and Siete Juntos. Time: 20:00 Price: €25.

10 and 17 May. The Artean Wines education centre in Bilbao presents this month at Espacio Pangea a couple of tastings from unusual areas: "Eastern Europe, the new old world of wine" with local grape varieties from Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Bosnia Herzegovina, and eight wines paired with pintxos (10th) and a seminar with wines from Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey (17th). Time: 18:30 -20:30 Price: €65 (the Eastern Mediterranean tasting is free for members). More information and registrations at the link above.

11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 May. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents half a dozen activities this month: Red Vijariegos from the Canary Islands (11th), César Márquez and his wines from Bierzo (12th), Nizza, the cru from Barbera (18th), Polish wines with Joanna Ciborowska (19th),  Bierzo Godellos (25th) and grandes escolhas de Portugal, os melhores do ano (26th). Time: 19:00 Prices between €35 and €40 (discounts for members). Bookings on +34 914 293 477

12, 18, 26 and 27 May. Lavinia wine merchant in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) presents the following activities this month: Rioja vs Ribera del Duero (12th, 19:00 to 21:00, €50); lunch paired with wines from Madrid (18th, 14:00 to 15:30, €65); wines from Jerez and Manzanilla from Sanlúcar (26th, 19:00 to 21:00, €45) and an online tasting of five wines with home delivery included (27th, 20:00 to 21:15, €99). 

13 May. An opportunity to tour the 200-year-old Bodegas Barbadillo in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz) with Armando Guerra with a glass of wine in hand. Guerra, who takes care of the house's limited edition wines, will pour the wine directly from the cask. Time: 20:00 Price: €40 /person. Book online or by phone +34 956 385521 

14, 16, 19 and 26 May. In addition to her interesting activities for members, sommelier Pilar Cruces, founder of Lust for Wine, leads several events this month in Burgos: The first, on the 14th at La Cuca (Calle La Puebla, 17), is called "Aromas del amor" and includes a tasting with five wines, five tapas while listening to five singles at La Cuca restaurant (13:30, €25), on the 16th extra virgin olive oils will be tasted in the Lust for Wine room (Plaza Alonso Martínez, 7A Oficina 57), (19:30, €22) while on the 19th, in the same space, there will be a seminar about Jura wines (20:30 - 21:45, €45). The final activity of the month, on the 26th, will be a tasting of Portuguese wines at La Pícara Gastroteca (20:15, €35). Further information and bookings at info@lustforwine.es

18 May. Conversaciones Heladas is an initiative created in 2012 by Fernando Sáenz and Angelines González, managers of Obrador Grate and dellaSera ice cream shop in Logroño. In this new edition after the start of the pandemic, the talk will be about "Cooking with fire and ancestral foods" with six speakers including Eduardo Pérez, of Toqha restaurant in El Puerto de Santa María and Miguel Caño, of Nublo in Haro. The talks, free and open to the public, will be held in the Espacio Lagares. Timetable: 9:30. to 13:30

18 May. The Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones (La Rioja) hosts a concert of Renaissance music with the group Cantoría in the Wooden Vat Hall, as well as a guided tour of the Museum and the winery and a tasting of two wines. There will be free buses from Logroño. The concert starts at 19:30. Price: €25 (without winery and museum visit) and €30.

19 May. Entrevins restaurant in Valencia presents a tasting of Loire wines (Le Vallon des Demoiselles 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Sables & Schistes 2018 Chenin Blanc, 1900... 2018 Cabernet Franc and Perdrizière 2020 Gamay Saint-Romain) paired with four courses. Time: 20:45 Price: €39. Bookings on: v.entrevins@entrevins.es

19-21 May. The galleries and cellars of Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño will be transformed into theatre stages to host performances of the five finalist micro-theatres of the "+Teatro con Diamante" competition, lasting no more than 15 minutes, with wine as the central theme. The audience will be able to vote for the winner, while visiting the winery and tasting three Diamante and Bordón wines. Shows are held every half hour between 18:30 and 21:00 Price: €23 . Bookings on the link above

19 and 26 May. Fintan Kerr of Wine Cuentista begins his tastings this month with a look at several Spanish classics alongside younger but respected producers: Leirana Albariño 2019, Pradio Tinto 2019, Envinate Migan 2018, Comando G Rozas 1er 2018, Tondonia Reserva 2010 and Clos Mogador 2013. The second is a blind tasting featuring international wines. Both tastings will be in English and will held at Agüita Vins (Volta d'en Colomines, 2) in Barcelona. Price: €30 each.

20 May. El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2) resumes face-to-face tastings with Aalto, from Ribera del Duero. There will be barrel samples from La Horra, La Aguilera, Piñel de Abajo and Baños de Vadearados, which are some of the villages that will be part of the future Aalto 2020 as well as two old vintages: Aalto 2009 and Aalto PS 2006. Snacks will be served after the tasting Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Reservations at info@elbuengustovinos.com

20-21 May. The association "Viñas Viejas de Soria", which includes 14 producers, among them Dominio de Es, Dominio de Atauta, Lunas de Castromoro or Aranda de Vries, hosts its first encounter in San Esteban de Gormaz to show the singularities and variety of wines in Soria province with visits to vineyards and traditional wineries in this village and in Atauta, a tasting of wines made by the association's producers and a guided tasting with Pilar Cruces, sommelier of Lust from Wine, and music. Tickets for the tastings will be available for purchase on the day of the event (visits to the wineries are free of charge).

21 May. The Covid-19 pandemic prevented them from celebrating their festival, but Villabuena Wine Fest is now going ahead in this Rioja Alavesa village. There will be stands representing local wineries (Izadi, Luis Cañas, Berarte, Hermanos Frias del Val, Beltxuri, Araico, Molina Perez, Perez Maestresala, Finca Barronte, Candido Besa, Bikain and Viñedos y Bodegas de la Marquesa), tastings directed by Mikel Garaizabal, music and dancing, pintxos and barbecue and children's workshops. Time: 11:30 - 15:00. Price: From €20 There will also be buses from Logroño and Vitoria.

Until 22 May. “Patios de Bodega” links the celebration of the festivities around the  Patios in Córdoba with the bodegas and lagares of Montilla, that will open their “patios”, decorated for the occasion with winemaking and grape growing decorations and will offer special visits during weekends. Access is free from Monday to Sunday between 10:30 – 13:30. Special "Patios de Bodega" passes on weekends that include a guided tour and a tasting of three wines (€10). Participating bodegas are Bodegas Alvear, Lagar Los Raigones, Lagar La Primilla, Lagar Cañada Navarro, Bodegas Robles, Bodegas Cabriñana y Bodegas Pérez Barquero.

23 May. The ninth edition of the Great Whites of Spain Show, organised by Calduch Comunicación, will take place in the halls of the Hotel VP Plaza España Design in Madrid. Opening hours: from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00

25 May. La Mercería, in the town of Boadilla del Monte (Av. Siglo XXI, 4) near Madrid ends its series of tastings about sherry with the following VORS and VOS wines: Tradición Amontillado VORS, Valdespino Don Gonzalo Oloroso VOS, Callejuela La Casilla Amontillado VOS, González Byass Apóstoles Palo Cortado VORS and Cayetano del Pino 1/10 Palo Cortado. Time: 20:30 Price: €30

25 May. The Fundación para la Cultura del Vino holds its 16th annual seminar on the subject of "Old Vineyards, Myth or Reality? ", which will focus on the importance of old vineyards and their role in the production of quality wines. The event will take place at Hotel Princesa Plaza in Madrid (Princesa, 40) and will include speakers such as José Ramón Lissarrague, Dylan Grigg, Pedro Ballesteros MW, Julián Palacios, Alberto Redrado, José Hidalgo and Pau Roca, among others. Time: 09:30 - 18:30 Registration on this link. Price: €225 (Discounts for students and FCV members).

28 May. Bodegas Caudalia in Lerga (Navarra) together with Hotel Xabier host a new edition of the Baja Montaña Wine Fest to enjoy wine and gastronomy in partnership with wineries from Baja Montaña, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Cava, Txakoli de Álava, Rueda, Somontano and Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico). The participating producers are: Bodegas Caudalía, Palacio de Sada y Bodega de Liédena, Bodegas Tritium, Bodegas Valdelacierva, Viñedos Gormaz, Bodegas Garcigrande, Iñaki Garrido-Las Toscas, Bodegas Meler, Astobiza and Decantos Vinícola. Price: €2  In addition, there will be a tasting of white wines (Navarre, Burgundy and Moselle) and another of sparkling wines. Price for each is €15 and limited to 20 people. Registration by email at bajamontanawinefest@gmail.com

28 May. Masia la Torreta in the town of Sant Joan de Mediona (Barcelona) is hosting COTA, a festival with wine tastings, food and music that puts the spotlight on wines made in vineyards at over 500 metres elevation. Seventeen wineries will take part in the event, with three tastings of wines from Costers del Segre, Arlanza and Europa. Opening hours: 12:00-23:00 Price: €19

28 May. The 3rd Spanish Blind Tasting in Teams Championship takes place this year in Jerez, coinciding with the eve of the professional event Vinoble. The championship is a qualifier for the world final of the Championnat du Monde de Dégustation, which is held in France in October. At Jerez there will be 20 teams taking part.

31 May. As part of Valencia Culinary Festival, Violeta Gutiérrez and Alberto Redrado of Bodegas Curii and Javi Revert will present a tasting of their current releases at Alma del Temple restaurant. Time: 19:30 Price: €25