Wine tastings in October 2019

Each month, we compile some of the most interesting wine activities that take place in Spain but this month we also include an event outside the Iberian Peninsula. It is the 4th Be ranci! Salon and the Second Meeting of Dry Oxidative Wines that will be held in the French town of Perpignan, less than half an hour by train from Barcelona. Over 26 Spanish producers will be present alongside some other 50 bodegas from six different countries.

3 October. Ardoteka Goñi in San Sebastián begins its autumn activities with a tasting of Soto Manrique wines made with varieties such as Garnacha, Verdejo and Albillo real. The tasting will take place at Bar Augustín (Sancho el Sabio, 16). To book a spot call +34 943 211 597

4 October. Winemaker and sommelier Maite Geijo, technical director of Bodegas Liba and Deleite alongside Pablo Ossorio, will do a presentation at restaurant Remenetxe in Muxica, near Gernika (Bizkaia) about types of soils and the different kinds of wood there are to ferment and age wines and their impact on wine. Her wines will be available for tasting including two new releases. Time: 20:45 Price: € 55 Further informaron and bookings on +34 946 253 520

4 October. The association Amigos de la Vid y el Vino in Alcobendas (Madrid) hosts a tasting of Didier Dagueneau wines, one of the most eclectic and admired producers in the Loire. Five Poully-Fumé wines will be tasted, all of the from 2015, as well as a dry white made by Dagueneau in Jurançon: Didier Daguenau Les Jardins de Babylone 2014 (AOC Jurançon), Didier Daguenau Pouilly-Fumé, Didier Daguenau Buisson Renard, Didier DaGueneau Pur Sang and Didier Daguenau Les Montd Damnés. Location: C/ Francisco Largo Caballero, 44 (Agrupación PSOE, Alcobendas) Time: 19:00. Price: €50 (Members: €40)

4 October. Wine store Sorbo in Ponferrada (Calle Ancha, 19) hosts a vertical tasting with María Zamarreño, owner of a small bodega in Bierzo. Participants will taste four vintages (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015) of Van Gus Vana, made with Mencía grapes from several plots. Time: 21:00, Price: €15. Further information on sorbovino@gmail.com or by calling +34 650 765644. 

4-6 October. Around 20 cava producers will take part on this edition of Cavatast en Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Barcelona), a three-day event with wine and food stands, tastings, winery tours, artisan products, children activities and live music. Check the programe on the link above for timetables and information. Price: Cava tasting (4 tickets) €6. Riedel glass €5 (€3 if you rent it).

5 October. The Jumilla DOP Wine Fair, which will take place in the town of Hellín (Albacete), will feature 12 wineries of this appellation, which incorporates producers from Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia: Juan Gil, Bodegas Ontalba, Alceño, San Dionisio, Sierra Norte, Bodegas Pío del Ramo, Silvano García, Bodegas Fernández, Bodegas BSI, Carchelo,  Bleda and Viña Elena. In addition, there will be a tasting contest, held in Obispo Luis Amigó street, open to wine lovers. They will be able to rate wines as if they were members of a professional jury. There will be prizes for the most popular wine and for the best taster. Place: Parque Municipal. Time: 12:00 - 23:00

6 October. Runners from over 15 countries 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 €42

6-9 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: a vertical tasting of Jean Leon Vinya L’Escala, food and wines from Hungary, tastings of Juve y Camps, Ribera del Duero, Tenerife and a tasting of sparkling wines from Bodegas Bilbaínas. Price: €40 per tasting.

11 October. As part of the 25th anniversary of restaurant La Vieja Bodega in Casalarreina (La Rioja) today there is a live gig with Aurora & The Betrayers and an informal dinner. Information and bookings on +34 941 324 254 Time: 21:30 Price: €25

11-13 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.

12 October. Within the fiesta of the Salamanca district in Madrid and together with the association of merchants Madrid Luxury District (MLD), Lavinia celebrates the fifth edition of Las Vendimias de Ortega y Gasset. Over 20 producers such as Abadía Retuerta, Alta Alella, Marqués de Murrieta, Mustiguillo, Pazo San Mauro, Ramón Bilbao and Viña Pedrosa, among others, will be pouring their wines on  Ortega y Gasset Street. The street party will be the kick off to the celebrations of Lavinia's 20th anniversary. Time: 19:00-23:00 Price: 20 € for five drinks

12 October and 2 November. Rioja producer Dinastía Vivanco hosts a family gymkana for kids to learn more about wine with hidden clues among vines, ancient artifacts, barrels and contemporary works of art. Additionally, art-loving participants may want to visit the temporary exhibition “Vivanco Suite: Paintings and Prints by Alberto Corazón”, 20 works of art by this graphic designer, painter and sculptor from Madrid that have been created for the Vivanco museum in Briones. Time: 17:00-19:00 Price: €14

14 October. The Experiencia Verema travels to Alicante (old Bus Station) with the presence of around 50 producers such as González Byass, San Valero, Contino, Vinya Natura, Castillo de Monjardín, Verum, Hispano-Suizas or Península, among others. There will be three conducted tastings with DO Almansa, DO Jumilla and DO Somontano plus Jamón de Teruel. Time: 12:00 - 21:00 Tickets: € 5 online and € 10 at the gate.

14 October. The Mostrador de Vila Viniteca in Madrid (General Díaz Porlier, 45) presents a tasting of Corpinnat sparkling wines with the following selections: Recaredo Turó d'en Mota 2006, Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature 2008, Bufadors Vinya del Rascarà 2014, Torelló Gran Torelló Brut Nature "Grandes Añadas" 2010, Gramona III Lustros Brut Nature 2012 and Sabaté i Coca Reserva Familiar Brut Nature 2010. Price: €59 (Members €49) Time: 20:00-22:00

15 October. Madrid wine store Lavinia (Ortega y Gasset, 16) presents a tasting of wines made by a new generation of producers in Spain, whose names have not yet been published. The aim is to discover the human side of the bottles we drink and the local food to accompany them. Time: 19:00-21:00  Price: €40

16 October. Wine store Vila Viniteca in Barcelona (Agullers, 7) presents a tasting of wines made from local and recovered varieties from  Portugal, Galicia and Bierzo. The following wines will be tasted: Niepoort Lagar de Baixo 2016, Susana Esteban Aventura Blanco 2017, Buçaco Rosado 2016, Niepoort Poeirinho 2014, El Jardín de Lucía 2018, Terras Gauda La Mar 2017, Descendientes de J. Palacios Villa de Corullón 2016 and Dominio do Bibei Lacima 2014. Time: 20:00-22:00 Price: €49 (members €39)

17 October. Propaganda12 and Colorful Wines host in Madrid a tasting in English of wines from southern Italy: Ciro Picariello 2018 Greco di Tufo (Campania), Tormaresca Calafuria 2018 Negroamaro Rosato Salento (Puglia), Tormaresca Neprica Primitivo 2017 Primitivo (Puglia) and Azienda Agricola Perillo Taurasi Riserva 2007 Aglianico (Campania). The wines will be paired with food from southern Italy. Location: Propaganda12 (Libertad, 12 Chueca). Time: 20:00, Price: €40 Bookings: jimena@colorfulwines.com 

17 October. Wine store Los Patios de Beatas in Málaga (Beatas, 43) presents a  tasting of wines made with Spanish grape varieties followed by dinner. The following wines will be available: El Hombre Bala Garnacha, La Clave Mencía, Palacio Villachica Selección Tinta de Toro and Parcela Mandiles Monastrell. The tasting is at 20:30 (€15) followed by dinner at 21:45 (€30). Information and bookings on +34 952 210350

18 October. Wine store El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela, 2) presents a tasting of Bodegas Martúe with their winemaker Ignacio de Miguel. The following wines will be tasted: Martúe Chardonnay 2017, Nieva Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Nieva Pie Franco 2010 Verdejo, Nieva Pie Franco 2018 Verdejo, Martúe  2018  Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, Martúe Syrah 2012, Martúe Especial 2014 Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and a blend specially made for El Gusto Vinoo. Time: 20:00 Price: €25 Further information and bookings on +34 983 377 199

19 October. Merchants Paco Berciano and Maribé Revilla and their team at Alma Vinos Únicos host their Wine Producers Festival 2019 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 y Vins Alemanys, among others. otros. 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.

22 October. As part of the Jazz Festival in Barcelona, Monvínic (Diputación, 249) hosts Andrea Motis Monvínic Experience - New Wine Voices, with the performance of this young trumpet player, singer and composer, a leading figure in European jazz. The event will be attended by eight Catalan wine producers: Xavier Bernet (Júlia Bernet winer, Corpinnat); Francesc Boronat (Celler del Cesc, Tarragona); Agustí Torelló i Roca (Ánima Mundi, Penedès); Bernat Andreu (Celler Carles Andreu, Conca de Barberà); Eva Bonet (Celler Comalats, Costers del Segre); Eduard Pié (Sicus Terrers Mediterranis, Penedès); Francesc Ferré (Celler Frisach, Terra Alta) and Salvador Batlle (Còsmic Vinyaters, Empordà). All of them will be presenting their wines throughout the evening while participants listen to Andrea Motis' compositions. Price: € 85 More information and ticket sales at info@monvinic.com or +34 93 2726187

22 October. The post summer tastings season begins at La Tavina in Logroño (Laurel, 2) with a tasting of five wines made by Bodegas Remelluri paired with some food prepared by the chef. Tickets can be purchased at La Tavina or by calling  +34 941 10 23 00.

24 October. The champagnes made by Eric Rodez in Ambonnay and David Léclapart in Trepail are acknowledged for their risky winemaking as well as their finesse and originality. Today at Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) the following cuvées will be opened and tasted: Eric Rodez Les Beurys & Les Secs, Eric Rodez Blanc de Noirs, Eric Rodez Dosage Zero, David Léclapart L’Apotre, David Léclapart L’Amateur and David Léclapart L’Aphrodisiaque. The tasting will be led by Juanma Ruiz Casado. Time: 20:30 Price: €70 Bookings on +34 91 745 1927

24 October. Restaurant in Zaragoza Los Cabezudos (Antonio Agustín 12-14) has invited María Santolaya, area sales manager and daughter of Agustín Santolaya, director general at Bodegas Roda, to ) present and lead a tasting of Roda (DOCa Rioja) and La Horra (DO Ribera del Duero) wines followed by a dinner. The following wines will be accompanying the food: Corimbo 2015, Roda Reserva 2015 y 2012 (jeroboam), Roda I Reserva 2011 (mathusalem) and Corimbo 2013 (magnum).  Time: 21:00 Price: €65

25 October. Wine store Vinosfera in Vitoria (Rafael Alberti, 24) presents a new activity called In Threes (De Tres en Tres) which includes a tasting of three wines made in different styles. Each wine will be paired with a pintxo. Time: 19:30 -21:30 Price: €12.50

26 October. The village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in La Rioja hosts a tasting at the castle that stands at the highest point in the village and which commands beautiful views of the Rioja landscape in autumn. As well as the tastings on the castle, there will be tours around the walled area and a tour of a traditional lagar or press, the most ancient in La Rioja. Eight local wineries will serve 16 wines: Carlos Moro, Castillo de Mendoza, Ramírez de la Piscina, Teodoro Ruiz Monge, El Vino Pródigo - Pedro Peciña, Hacienda López de Haro, Vinos J. Ramírez and Viña Ane. Glass and tickets: € 14 (€ 12 early bird rate)

26-27 October. The Grape Stomping Fiesta at Bodegas Lecea in San Asensio (La Rioja) reaches its 11th anniversary as the winery opens up four of its ancient cellars to anyone who wants to have a go at stomping grapes like in the old days (Saturday) or doing a bit of manual grape pressing on Sunday. Over these two days, visitors will have a chance to take part in these activities as well as enjoy wine tastings, join a meal a the winery, take part in tours of the 16th-century cellars, purchase a variety of products at the artisans' market. Children will also be able to take part in the grape stomping. Booking is not required except for the lunch. Time: 10:30-19:00 Free entry. Send an email to info@bodegaslecea.com for further information.

27 October. Jorge Orte, DipWSET and owner of Grape Bebop, a wine learning centre, presents a seminar about Georgia, a country with a great yet little-known wine tradition that goes back 8,000 vintages. Orte, who has travelled to Georgia and has read all the publications about the country written in English, will talk about the origin, vineyard, varieties and winemaking and will lead a tasting of 11 Georgian wines made from varieties such as the whites Chinuri, Rkatsiteli, Kisi and Kakhuri Mtsvane and the reds Tavkeri and Saperavi vinified in different ways. The deadline to sign up for the seminar is October 8th. Time: 09:00-14:00 Price: €229.90. The seminar will be held at Sympósion, Avda. Cataluña, 19, 50014 Zaragoza

27 October. The third 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 

28 October. Seven countries, 26 production areas and more than 70 wineries will be represented at the 4th Salon Be ranci! and the Second European Meeting of Dry Oxidative Wines to be held in the French city of Perpignan, less than an hour and a half by train from Barcelona. Among the 26 Spanish producers taking part are La Calandria, De Muller, Sicus, Gramona, Vall Llach, Mas Martinet, Celler Orto, Menade, Pagos de Nona, Emilio Hidalgo, Williams & Humbert, Fernando Angulo, Mario Rovira, Alvear or Bodegas Monóvar. Timetable: 10:00 - 19:30 Price: €10 (Includes ticket entrance and glass) 

28-29 October. Over 200 producers will attend the 20th edition of Spain's Top Wines Show, organized by Guía Peñín at Pavilion 2 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. The Guía Peñín Awards will be awarded on October 28th. Opening hours: 28th: 12:00 to 20:00 and 29th: 11:00 to 15:00. Wine aficionados will be able to purchase a ticket to visit the trade fair in the afternoon. 

29 October. The Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents a tasting called "Marquistas de Jerez". Conducted by expert Francisco del Castillo, there will be a selection of négociant wines selected by 'treasure wine hunters' from wineries in the Sherry Triangle. Time: 19:00 Price: €40 (€25 members).

29 October. Vinaliti Tasting school in Málaga (Cortina del Muelle, 7) organizes a tasting in English to learn tastings vocabulary, expressions and words used in winemaking and wine production. Time: 20:30 Price: €20 (members €10). Information and bookings on info@vinaliti.es

31c October - 1 November. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño brings back its ghosts from the past with Hallowine, a theatre with sessions for children (Practical Guide to Catch a Monster) and adults (Fest, A Quién Sentarías a Tu Mesa) held at the winery in Logroño followed by a tasting of Bordón and Diamante wines. Booking required on +34 941 251290 Price: €16 (Children: €10)

Do you know of any interesting wine events which are not on this list? Are you a restaurateur or retailer who organises tastings or wine events for the general public? Send us your calendar to yolanda@spanishwinelover.com