Wine tastings in October 2018

As well as our first #LaviniaSWL party in Madrid with 25 respected producers from across Spain, this month’s agenda features the last harvest festivals of the season plus wine showrooms and tastings in many of the usual locations. Remember to come back to our site for regular updates!

1 October. The Experiencia Verema travels to Zaragoza (Hotel Reina Petronila, Avenida Alcalde Ramón Sainz de Varanda, 2) with the presence of two dozen producers such as Borsao, San Valero, Portia, Hijos de Alberto Gutiérrez, Murviedro, Viña Pedrosa or Península, among others. There will be three conducted tastings with DO Rueda, DO Campo de Borja and DO Calatayud. Time: 12:00 - 21:00 Tickets: € 5 online and € 10 at the gate.

3 October. Wine store Vinaliti in Málaga (Salinas, 3) hosts a tasting of old vintages from the DO Sierras de Malaga, many of them unavailable, rescued from its cellar. These are the wines: Capuchina Vieja 2005, Descalzos Viejos 2005, Botani 2006, Vetas 2006, F. Schatz PV 2006 and Los Aguilares Pinot Noir 2006. Price: €40 (Members €25)

4, 11 and 18 October. Sharon Grundy from Wine Courses BCN hosts a series of tastings in English with wines from Rioja and Navarra such as Viña Cubillo 2009 or Honorio Rubio Macerado 2016, among others. It will be a liquid journey through both regions over three Thursdays in September at Bow Barcelona (Roger de Lluria, 46). Time: 19:30 - 21:30. Price: €110 for the three days; €45 per day.

5 October. It’s the first but we hope it’s not the last. Spanish Wine Lover hosts the first #LaviniaSWL party. A total of 25 producers —most of them have left the harvest and fermentations on stand-by for one day so we are we are extremely grateful— will be at Lavinia (Ortega y Gasset, 16) in Madrid to present their wines, many of them new releases. There will also be a surprise draw, a gift to the best party photo published on social media with our hashtag #LaviniaSWL and your chance to get a free Lavinia member card (worth €10) that entitles holders to discounts and special offers. See you there! Time: 20:00-23:30  Price: €25

5 October. The Valenciso Experiences in La Rioja end for this year with a culinary photography workshop with Beatriz Rodríguez from Tobegourmet. The event will be held at the winery in Ollauri. Time: 18:30-20:00 Price: €25

5-7 October. Around 20 cava producers will take part on this edition of Cavatast in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Barcelona), a three-day event with wine and food stands, tastings, winery tours, artisan products and ludocavas, to introduce children to the culture of wine. Check the programme on the link above for timetables and information. Price: Cava tasting (4 tickets) €5. Riedel glass €5

6-7 October. The Sitges Harvest Festival has a longstanding tradition in this Catalan town and includes a showroom of wines from a dozen producers from the DO Penedès and Garraf, a traditional wine pressing and a grape treading competition. Price: €7 for three wines plus the glass. Time: 12:00-15:30 and 17:00-23:00 on Saturday and till 21:00 on Sunday.

7 October. Over 400 runners have confirmed their participation in the Priorat Wine Run, a marathon and half-marathon across the vineyards of DO Priorat that will start and finish at the Cooperative Falset Marçà. At victualing points, and in cooperation with producers from the DO Montsant and DOQ Priorat, participants will find local products and wine. There will also be music and food throughout the race. Price: From €44

8-10 October. Although this year there won’t be the traditional Wine Tasting in Pairs Competition, San Sebastián Gastronomika maintains the Wine Sessions with several tastings: sparkling wine of the world with producer Pepe Raventòs, extreme premium cava pairings with Silvia Cullell, Sherry wines paired with Ibérico ham conducted by Pepe Ferrer, Torres family wines from California with Marimar Torres, a vertical Roda tasting with Agustín Santolaya and a tasting of Hungarian wines. Price: €40 per tasting 

8-14 October. Sherry Triangle wines celebrate their International Week with all kinds of events across the world in countries such as the US, Germany, South Africa, Brasil or Japan. The list of activities around the world, with over 1,000 listed, includes paired Sherry dinners, tastings, show-cookings,  and promotions in many bars and stores. Check the calendar of events around the world.

11 October. The Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) presents a tasting of US wines made with Pinot Noir with the following brands: Roserock Drouhin 2015, Domaine de la Côte La Côte 2014, Domaine Drouhin Cuvée Laurène 2012, Evening Land Vineyards Seven Springs 2014, Father John Anderson Valley 2015, Kistler Laguna Ridge 2014 and Occidental SWK 2015. Price: € 66 Time: 20:00-22:00

11 October. Fintan Kerr, the man behind blog Wine Cuentista, gathers a bunch of wine lovers and hosts a variety of wine tastings in English in Barcelona over the year. The first tasting at Maestrazgo Wine Club this month involves lesser known Spanish grape varieties and the following wines: Ermita del Conde Albillo Centenario 2014 (Albillo), Mestizaje Blanco 2017 (Merserguera), Parotet 2015 (Mandó), Ponte da Boga Capricho de Merenzao 2015, Suertes del Marqués La Solana 2014 (Listan Negro) and Jané Ventura Sumoll 2012.  Fintan hosts two more activities in October: a lunch with five “quality” natural wines at restaurant Kserol (13th at 13:00), and a blind tasting with six international wines (25th) at Maestrazgo Tasting Room. The cost of each tasting is €30. Inscriptions via email to fintankerr@winecuentista.com

11 October. Champagne specialist Jordi Melendo presents his Champagne Guide 2018/2019 during a paired dinner at La Vieja Bodega in Casalarreina (La Rioja) which includes delicious dishes like foie terrine with pumpkin quince and pistachios or grilled asparragus with langoustines and vichyssoise. Time: 21:00 Price: €45  Bookings on +34 941 324254

12-14 October. During their Journées Particulières, the companies that form part of group LVMH open their doors to the general public to show their way of working. Bodega Numanthia, the only Spanish winery in the group, takes part in this edition and invites anyone who is interested to visit their very old Tinta de Toro vineyards and their winery. The inscription is free but compulsory. Time: 10:00 - 13:00

12-21 October. Penedès producer Albet i Noya will send part of the proceeds of its sales at the winery to the fight against breast cancer through local charity Ágata. There will also be free tastings of its rosé Curiosa and of its sparkling Brut Efecte Pinot Noir at its winery in Sant Pau d'Ordal (Barcelona).

13 October. Rioja producer Dinastía Vivanco hosts a family gymkhana for kids at their estate in Briones, La Rioja, to learn more about wine with hidden clues among vines, ancient artefacts, barrels and contemporary works of art. Additionally, art-loving participants may want to visit the temporary exhibition “Picasso Dionisíaco”, 22 works of art that will be displayed together for the first time. Time: 12:00-14:00 Price: €14

16 October. Pequeñas D.O.’s, a company that promotes small wine regions in Spain,  hosts at Popy Wine in Madrid (C/ Guzmán El Bueno, 68) a comparative tasting of Garnachas Blancas from Terra Alta against Garnachas Tintas from Priorat. These are the wines presented at the tasting: Vila Closa 2017 from Vins La Botera (DO Terra Alta), Ilercavonia 2017 from Bodega Altavins (DO Terra Alta), Lafou Els Amelers 2017 from Roqueta Origen (DO Terra Alta),  Pla de Angels 2017, Prior Scala Dei 2016 and Cartoixa Scala Dei 2015, from Celler Scala Dei (DOCa Priorat). Time: 19:30 Price: €22 Bookings on starvinos@starvinos.com or calling +34 91 5442253 

18 October. One of the activities that Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) hosts is a paired menu with wine and pickled food. Conducted by Isabel Palomino (Restaurant Cucumber), the dishes and wines on show are: Roasted pickled aubergine with honey and Bulles de Roche Thierry Germain (Saumur), Sarde in saor with Amontillado 12 años Maestro Sierra, Pickled free-range chicken wings with A Capitana Espadeiro 2016 (Rías Baixas), stuffed squid with Georg Breuer Rüdesheim 2015 (Rheingau), duck foie with Colli di Lapio 2014 (Fiano de Avellino) and a sweet dessert from Prosperidad market paired with Château Liot (Sauternes). Time: 20:30 Price: €40 Time: 20:30 Bookings on: +34 91 745 1927

18 October. Wine store La Tintorería (Gurtubay, 4) in Madrid has prepared a tasting of Loire wines with years of bottle ageing to test the ageing potential of the wines from this region: Domaine de la Pepiere "Château Thebaud" 2012, Dagueneau "Blanc Fumé" 2012, Domaine Aux Moines "Roche aux Moines" 1998, Baumard "Clos St Yves" 1987, Catherine & Pierre Breton "Les Perrieres" 1999 and Baumard "Quarts du Chaume" 1973. Time: 20:30 Price: € 40 

18 October. CooperVinos wine store in Zaragoza (Dr Val-Carreres Ortiz, 7) presents a tasting of Pérez-Barquero (DO Montilla-Moriles) with the following wines: María del Valle Fino en Rama, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, PX Gran Barquero and PX La Cañada. Time: 20:30 Price: €10€ per person with a 10% discount in the wines of the tasting. Bookings on +34 976961528

19 October. Whites, rosés and reds from 32 bodegas in DO Navarra will be centre stage today alongside bands Viva Suecia and Neuman at Navarra Wine Lovers in concert!, an event combining music and wine that will be held at Refena, in Pamplona. Wines will be served in the traditional way but also as a base for low alcohol drinks. Price: €22.80

19-21 Octubre. Wine group Vintae hosts an annual themed party in honour of wine and happiness called Vintae Wine Fest. Held in San Vicente de la Sonsierra (La Rioja), there will be live music, parades, dances, casino games, street entertainment, a wine route around the bars in the village, fireworks and  chuleta fest. This year's theme is the 1920s. Price: €140 for three days

20, 26 and 27 October. As part of Saborea Santander, wine store La Ruta del Vino (Arrabal, 18) takes part in this event hosting three tastings. The first, on October 20th, will feature vermouths and will be led by Philippe Cesco; the second, on 26th, will be a liquid journey through the wines of Spain with Jean Marcos and on the third, again with Cesco, will be a tasting of wines from Cantabria. Check times and prices on the Saborea Santander link above.

22 October. The Association of Sommeliers from Navarra,  alongside Nacho Jiménez from Alma Vinos Únicos, hosts a tasting of Rhône river wines following the course from north to south. The following wines will be tasted: Chamonard Morgon 2015 and 2009 (Beaujolais); Domaine du Tunnel Cornas vin noir 2016, Alain Grillot Crozes Hermitage 2016, Perret Sain Joseph 2016,
Rostaing Côte Rôtie Ampodium 2015, Perret Condrieu 2016 (Ródano Norte); Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Villages Vaison la Romaine 2013 and Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape cuvée reserve 2013 (Ródano Sur). There will be a dinner after the tasting (€25) Where: Hotel Don Carlos, Pamplona. Time: 19:00 Priceecio: €75 (members €50)

23 October. Alberto García Montaña presents at Umami Gijón (Av. Rufo Rendueles, 8) a tasting of the wines he makes alongside his brother Eduardo and their father, the legendary Mariano García. The tasting will travel from Toro to Ribera del Duero passing through their dear Tudela de Duero tasting Prima 2016 (Toro), Garmón 2015 and 2016 (Ribera del Duero), Mauro Vendimia Seleccionada 2015 (Tudela de Duero), San Román 2015 (Toro) and Cartago 2014 (Toro). Time: 20:00 Price: € 15

24 October. Restaurant Angelita in Madrid (Reina, 4) and importer Daniel Monsonís, have invited Sebastien Danjou, one of the two brothers behind the family estate Domaine Danjou Banessy in Languedoc-Roussillon, to present their biodynamic, low intervention wines they make in this region of southern France. The tasting will be accompanied by a meal served by this top madrileño restaurant. Time: 21:00 Price: €72 Bookings on info@eclecticvins.com

24-26 October. The Seminci Film Festival in Valladolid and the Control Boards of Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales host the fifth edition of  Cine&Vino at the Laboratorio de las Artes Escénicas in Valladolid (LAVA), which starts on the 24th with a gala to give the Espiga de Honor award to wine producer Carlos Moro and three shorts filmed in Rueda. The programme includes three wine-related films: Grand Cru, about Canadian producer Pascal Marchand, who moved to Burgundy aged 21; El mejor sommelier del mundo, filmed during the World Sommelier Competition and Wine calling, by French director Bruno Sauvard, that blends rock'n'roll and wine culture. At the end of each film, there will be a tasting of wines from Ribera del Duero, Cigales and Rueda and of other products from Castilla y León. Price: €10 per film

25 October. Restaurant Entrevins in Valencia (Calle de la Paz, 7) presents a tasting of natural wines paired with tapas. The chosen wines are: Clausus tinto 2016, made with the lesser-known Bonicaire variety in Valencia; El Pino Rojo 2016, Pinot Noir from Alpujarras in Granada; Proscrito 2017 from Valdeorras, a blend of Palomino and Garnacha Tintorera and Fusion 2016, a Gamay from Auvergne. Time: 21:00 Price: €27 Bookings on +34 963 333 523

26 October. Julio Sáenz, winemaker at La Rioja Alta, will be today at El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela 2) to present some of the wines they make in Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rías Baixas: Gran Reserva 890, 2005, Gran Reserva 904, 2009, Viña Ardanza Reserva, 2009, Martelo Reserva 2012, Finca El Otero 2014 and albariño Lagar de Cervera 2017. Snacks will be served at the end of the tasting. Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Bookings on +34 983 377 199

27 October. The village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in La Rioja hosts a festival called Vinveroño to mark the end of the harvest. There will be tastings on the castle's lookout, tours around the walled area as well as of some of the wineries in the village such as Carlos Moro, Viña Ane, Hacienda López de Haro and Ramírez de la Piscina plus tapas and special wines in the village bars. Tickets cost €10 and include five tastings. Time: from 11:00

27 October. Wine merchants Paco Berciano and Maribé Revilla and their team at Alma Vinos Únicos organise their Wine Producers Festival 2018 with the presence of many winemakers who will serve their wines personally at the event. Names like Can Rafols del Caus, Artuke, Telmo Rodríguez, Algueira, Quinta da Muradella, Rodrigo Méndez, Iria Otero, Sabinares, Ponce, Verónica Ortega, César Márquez, Mahara and Vins Alemanys, among many others. The Festival will be held at their warehouse in the Villalonquéjar industrial estate in Burgos (López Bravo, 5 Nave 26). Time: 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00 Price: €10 € which are returned for wine purchases of €25 or more.

27 October. Creating an innovative concept to set the ground for a regeneration of the wine sector is the aim of Enofestival, which returns to Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid (Alcalá, 42). Over 12 hours of live concerts (Delafé, Papaya, Le Parody, Los Hermanos Cubero, among other bands), wine tastings, workshops and DJs such as Pantomima Full. Price: € 15

27-28 October. To celebrate the autumn harvest in La Latina district in Madrid  Cascorro Bistrot, La Caníbal and Bendito have invited wine growers to offer over 70 natural wines (MicroBio, Vinos Ambiz, Esencia Rural, Daniel Ramos, Finca Parera, among many others) at La Caníbal (Argumosa St, 28). During the weekend, wines will be available at producer prices and Cascorro has prepared a “vigneron menu”.  Time: from 12:00 to 20:00. Price: €10

27-28 October. A Emoción dos Viños is a wine fair with small producers from Galicia and other regions in Spain and Portugal. All of them strive to make terroir-focused wines and work the vineyards sustainably. It’s a great opportunity to meet these growers who make wines with soul such as Xose Lois Sebio, Pilar Higuero, Xurxo Alba, Bernardo Estévez, Dominique Roujou or Alberto Nanclares, among others from Rioja or Sanlúcar. This year the tasting will be held at Pazo da Crega, Concello de Barro (Pontevedra). Time: 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00 on Saturday and 11:00-14:00 on Sunday. Tickets cost €20 for two days and can be purchased via email here: emociondosvinhos@gmail.com

28 October. The second Rioja Alavesa Wine Run takes place today in Labastida. There are two races (10km and 20 km) and a fun 10km walk that will take participants through paths and trails surrounded by vineyards with pit-stops along some of the wineries in the village. At the end of the race/walk, there will be a wine and local food fair in Labastida. Price: from €15 

29 October. Sommelier Luis García de la Navarra presents at the UEC in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) a tasting of wines made by the producers behind MOVI, a group that focuses on terroir and favours a return to the vineyard born in  Chile towards 2009. Wines from producers like Bowines, Polkura, Lagar de Bezana, Gillmore, Clos Andino, Starry Night or Parróne will be included in the tasting. Time: 19:00 Price: €35, (€20 UEC members)

29-30 October. Over 200 producers will attend the 19th edition of Spain's Top Wines Show, organized by Guía Peñín at Pavilion 14 in Ifema Madrid (Campo de las Naciones).  It's a chance to literally taste your way around some of Spain’s top-scoring wines and meet some of the people who make them. As well as the tasting tables, there will be conducted tastings of several appellations and the Corpinnat association. The Guía Peñín Awards 2018 will be awarded on October 29th.Time: 29th: 12:00 to 20:00 and 30th: 11:00 to 15:00. Price: €100 for both days

30 October. Wine lovers in search of a very special tasting could go to Vinacoteca in Barcelona (València, 595) today as it hosts a blind tasting of great white wines worth over €1,000, according to the organizers. Time: 20:30 Price: €79 (members € 69)