Wine tastings in October 2022

After a hot, dry summer in practically the whole of Spain, the arrival of autumn coincides with the final stages of the grape harvest in many wine-producing areas. In addition to the usual grape harvest festivities, this month's agenda of wine events includes vineyard hikes and races, tastings and various wine fairs.

1-2 October. The Sitges Harvest Festival has a longstanding tradition in this Catalan town and includes a traditional wine pressing, a grape treading competition and a few more activities yet to be confirmed. Times and prices can be found on the link above.

3-5 October. Although without the usual tasting competition in pairs of previous editions, the San Sebastián Gastronomika congress hosts several tastings: Priorat wines from Familia Torres presented by winemaker Jordi Foraster and sommelier Sergi Castro (3rd, 11:30 - 12:30, €40), Listán Negro wines from Tenerife with Pedro Ballesteros MW (3rd, 16:30 - 17:30, €40), Selection of vintages from Chivite (3rd, 16:30 - 17:30, €40), the sensitivity and wine pairings of Lucía Freitas (4th, 14:30-15:30, €70) and the cuisine of Cádiz and the wines of Jerez, three centuries of dialogue with the United Kingdom (5th, 11:30-12:30).

3, 17 and 24 October. This month, the Verema Experience takes place in various locations. The first will be in Seville, at Hotel Alfonso XIII (C/ San Fernando 2), where in addition to the tasting room with producers, attendants will be able to enjoy four commented tastings of DO Valencia, Toro Albalá, DO Campo de Borja and DO Ribera del Duero). On the 17th the event moves to Alicante (Hotel Alicante Golf) with the presence of around 20 wineries and regulatory councils, while the Verema Awards Show starts on the 24th at The Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid. Opening hours: 12:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 21:00. Price: €15 online and €20 at the door.

4 October. The wine industry will be the focus of the conference 'Wine, Economic Engine and Business', presented by Martí Saballs, director of Economic Information at Prensa Ibérica, who will talk to José Peñín about the importance of a good review for the wine business. There will also be a discussion with marketing directors from various wineries on 'New sales and marketing formulas for wine' and presentations on RFID and industrial property. Time: 09:30-13:30 at the Pons Foundation (Calle Serrano 138, Madrid). Registration is free 

4 October.The Santo Mauro Hotel in Madrid presents a series of monthly tastings led by its sommelier, Carlos Taboada, starting with Sine Qua Non wines from California. This tasting will be completed with burgers and bikinis, prepared by chef Rafa Peña. Bookings on +34 91 702 16 50 Time: 19:30 to 21:00 

4, 5, 6, 11, 18 and 24 October. Lavinia, the wine shop in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) presents a full line-up of tastings this month: blind tasting led by Juanma Bellver ( 4th, 20:00-23:00, €95), historical and current vintages of Abadía Retuerta (5th, 18:00-19: 30, €65), DO Toro wines ( 6th, 19:00-20:30, €40), unusual pairings with tinned preserves, wines and beers (11th, 19:00-21:00, €55), fortified wines of the world (18th, 19:00-21:00, €55) and cava vs champagne (24th, 19:00-21:00, €65).

5, 20, 27 October and 3 November. The Vináliti training centre in Málaga presents a blind tasting of grapes and wines. Time: 20:30 Price: €30. In addition, and for three consecutive Thursdays starting on the 20th, there is a three-part course on the varieties, winemaking styles, producers and wines of Malaga (€120). Further information and bookings at info@vinaliti.es

6 October. Pura Cepa in Murcia presents a tasting to understand the different stages of wine production, sampling musts from the initial state of grape juice to already fermented wines of the 2022 vintage. The dinner+tasting will be led by Pura Viña's oenologist, Rafael Moreno. Time: 21:00 Price €35 pax including dinner.

6, 11, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 October. The Spanish Tasters Union in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents the following tastings this month: champagne directed by A la Volé (6th, €55), Cabernet Franc from the Loire (11th and 13th, €40), St Chinian in the Languedoc (19th and 20th, €35), vertical of Áster Finca El Otero with Alejandro López (26th, €35) and González Byass with Antonio Flores (27th, €45). All the tastings are at 19:00

7 October. Mónica Otero, sommelier at Lavinia, conducts a tasting session with five wines from Spain at Molino de la Ferrería, in Villacorta, about 90 minutes' drive from Madrid on the N-I motorway. Five dishes plus dessert will be served along with the wines. Price: €40. For those who want to stay overnight at the Molino and have breakfast the next day, the price is 47 €/pax. Information and reservations by phone or WhatsApp at +34 682877192 or +34 639216757. 

7 October. In a bubbly-filled weekend, the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia near Barcelona hosts Territori Efervescent, a showroom of alternative Catalan sparkling wines with producers such as Ànima Mundi, Anna Serra Cooks, Bufadors Celler, Cal Xurriu, Casa Jou, Celler Cairons, Finca Parera, Enlaire Vins, Esteve i Gibert, Joan Rubió de Cal Tiques, L'Enclòs de Peralba, La Salada, Mas Candí, Orda Vins, Pardas and Vinya Lluny. The event will take place at the Cal Feru shop (Diputació, 51-53). Time 19:30 to 22:00 Price: €20.

7-9 October. Around 20 cava producers will take part on this edition of Cavatast, a three-day event in private and public spaces in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (Barcelona) with food, tastings, artisan products, winery tours, music and the presentation of Cava Women. Check the programe on the link above for further details.

10 October. The Calatayud PDO wineries return to Madrid with "Viñedo Extremo" (Extreme Vineyard), an event where you can taste the Garnacha wines produced in this Aragonese region. The show will take place at Espacio 23 (General Oraá, 23) Hours: 17:00-20:30

10, 19, 20, 27 and 29 October. The wine education centre Lust for Wine in Burgos (Plaza Alonso Martínez, 7A Office 57) presents its programme of wine events this month, starting on the 13th with a presentation about Piedmont in the Lust for Wine hall on the 13th (20:30, 45 €). On the 19th, Pilar Cruces will help to choose wines at Clarita Restaurant in Madrid (Corre. Baja de San Pablo, 19, 21:00, €26), while on the 20th she will be at La Pícara Gastroteca in Aranda de Duero (C. Sta. María, 2) with a tasting and presentation of German wines (20:15, €35). Finally, on the 27th she will present a seminar about French wines at Lust for Wine (20:35, €35) and on the 29th she will take part in Vive el Vermut, at Prendería La Marión in Burgos (12:30). For more information and bookings call +34638 661 408

10 and 24 October. The Association of Sommeliers of Navarra organises a couple of tastings this month. The first one, on the 10th, will be about wines from the Asociación de Grandes Pagos and will be led by the winemaker Ana Martín. The following wines will be tasted: Alvear Tres Miradas Vino de Pueblo, Belondrade Quinta Apolonia 2021, Fillaboa Selección Monte Alto 2019, Astobiza, Malkoa 2016, Bodega Ribas, Desconfío de la Gente que no Bebe 2020, Finca Sandoval, Salia 2021, Mustiguillo, Finca Terrerazo 2019, Cortijo Los Aguilares Tadeo 2019, Sei Solo Preludio de Sei Solo 2019 and Numanthia 2017. On the 24th, the training will be about assemblage wines. Venue: Hotel Don Carlos in Pamplona Time: 19:00-21:00

12 October. Over 20 cava producers from Alt Penedès host today their Open Door Day. The bodegas are Agustí Torelló Mata, Alta Alella, Sumarroca, Canals & Munné, Carol Vallès, Cava Guilera, Blancher, Vilarnau, Celler Carles Andreu, Celler Vell Cava, Codorníu, El Mas Ferrer, Finca Batllori, Gatell Estate Wines, Giró Ribot, Juvé & Camps, Mascaró, Molí Parellada, Pagès Entrena, Rimarts and Vins el Cep. Many of the visits are free while others include a small fee but all of them must be booked in advance on the link above. 

12 October. A total of 22 bodegas in DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant will take part on the autumn edition of Tast de Cal Compte in Torroja del Priorat (Tarragona). In an effort to raise awareness about wineries committed to preserving the landscape, the event, entitled "Conscious viticulture and sustainable wines", will begin with a discussion led by consultant Francesc Font, a well-known expert in regenerative agriculture with projects in Empordà and Menorca. Afterwards, attendees will be able to taste wines from around twenty producers such as Scala Dei, Mas d'En Gil, Terroir al Límit, Vall Llach, Clos Mogador, Josep Grau Viticultor, Venus La Universal and Alfredo Arribas, among others, and enjoy a paella with views of the old vineyard Costers. Hours: 10:00-17:00. Total cost: €70 

15 October. Bodega Territorio Luthier in Aranda de Duero opens its doors to visitors and also hosts at its outdoor wine bar a live gig with the band Braun and the Phillips. Free entry. Time: 12:30

15-16 October. Bodegas Lecea in San Asensio (La Rioja) holds its own grape harvest with a traditional grape treading in the stone lagar of its facilities in the village's winery district, followed on Sunday by the pressing of the grapes in the wine press. Both activities are free of charge. There will also be visits to the 16th century cellars, tasting of Lecea wines, lunch at the winery and a walk through the vineyards. Opening hours: 10:30-19:00 More information at info@bodegaslecea.com

16 October. Rioja Alavesa Wine Route presents Autumn Walks around Rioja Alavesa, a set of free hikes led by a guide to discover and learn more about the landscape of this region. Hikers today will walk 10km between the villages of Elvillar and Laguardia going through La Uneba, Ysios, La Hoya, Dolmen de la Hechicera and Prao de la Paúl.

18 October. Almudena Alberca MW, the first woman in Spain to receive the Master of Wine title, will be joined by two of the best Garnacha specialists and producers, Fernando Mora MW (Bodegas Frontonio) and Norrel Robertson MW (El Escocés Volante), for a masterclass organized by the Institute of Masters of Wine. The event will include a tasting of nine Garnacha wines from Spain: Supersónico 2020 and Las Alas de Frontonio from Bodegas Frontonio; Señora de las Alturas 2020 from Viña Zorzal, Sant Antoni 2019 from Celler Scala Dei, Mataquemada 2020 and El Cismático 2019 from El Escocés Volante; Juan Carlos Sancha, Espectacle del Montsant and Cadalso 2019. Venue: 67 Pall Mall in London. Local time: 11:30 Price: 80 pounds

18 October. Continuing with its sessions on Burgundy villages, Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) presents today a tasting of red wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges. Time: 20:30-22:30 Price: €70. Reservations by phone: +34 91 745 1927

20 October. The store Majuelos Singulares in Valladolid (San Ignacio, 9) presents a tasting of Galician wines with the following cuvées: Vel'Uveyra Mencía (Ribeira Sacra), Sameirás (Ribeiro), A Torna dos Pases (Ribeiro), Couto Mixto (Monterrei), Attis Pedral (Rías Baixas) and As Furnias (Rías Baixas). Time: 20:00 Price: €17 Bookings: info@majuelossingulares.com

21-23 October. This year the Expo Wine Moriles tasting moves to each of the eight participating bodegas and wineries where there will be wine and food stands. Time: 13:00- 18:00 Access is free with prior registration.

21 and 28 October. Santander's La Ruta del Vino store (Arrabal, 18) presents a couple of themed tastings this month. The first, entitled Argentina from North to South, will be led by winemaker Mariana Scandura, who will explain the different areas, climates and terroirs of the country. The second, on the 28th, will be a tour of Pinot Noir wines produced in Spain and will be led by Atilano Marcos. Time: 20:30 Price: €25 each tasting

22 October. With the title “Al ritmo del Vino y los Fogones” (Wine & Cooking Sounds), Finca Cor Ví prepares its I End of Harvest Fiesta in the winery, located in Las Hoces del Río Cabriel National Park, about one hour's drive from  Valencia. The Valencia-based chef Rakel Cernicharo will prepare several special dishes to pair with the wines of Finca Cor Ví. Time: 19:00 to 00:00 Price: €60

22 October. Wine merchants Paco Berciano and Maribé Revilla and their team at Alma Vinos Únicos host their Wines Served by their Winemakers exhibition with the presence of, among others, Tres Viñerones, Algueira, Verónica Ortega, Coto de Gomáriz, Septien, Vinifícate, Pepe Mendoza, Bernabeleva, Guímaro, Gramona, El Mozo, Mas Alta, Flequi Berruti, Malahierba, Peninsula, Ismael Aroyo, César Márquez, Can Rafols del Caus, Telmo Rodríguez, L’Enclós de Peralba, Quinta da Muradella, Cume do Avia, Ponce or Dominio de Bibei. The showroom will take plat at their premises in Villalonquéjar industrial estate in Burgos (López Bravo, 5 Nave 26). Time: 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event. Price: €10

22 and 31 de October. La Bodega del Tesoro in Cuzcurrita Del Río Tirón (La Rioja) presents Encuentros entre Vinos (Wine Encounters), with the presence of producers such as Abel Mendoza (15th) or Berta Valgañón (22nd) including a visit to her vineyard and lunch with her and her wines. Additionally, on the 31st visitors will have a chance to taste eight wines from three vignerons from Rioja paired with tapas plus a tour of Bodega del Tesoro. Time: From 19:00 Further information on +34 607214989

24 October. The eighth edition of the Salón de las Bodegas del siglo XXI brings together 40 wineries from different origins at the Hotel Intercontinental in Madrid. More details will be published shortly (Paseo de la Castellana, 49). Opening times: 12:00-15:00 and 17:00-22:00

24 October. Over 100 bodegas from 16 appellations in Castilla y León will present their wines in Barcelona at a tasting held in Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (Plaza de España 6-8). There will be around 300 wines to taste from such diverse areas as Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Zamora, Arribes, Arlanza, Bierzo, Salamanca or Cebreros, among others. Opening hours: 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00 To attend, send an email to vinoscastillayleon@mahala.es

25 October. Teresa Guilarte, from Bilbao's Artean Wines training centre, presents a wine and history tour to understand the profile and potential of Greek wines and the similarities with those of Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Eight wines of local and international varieties will be tasted. Venue: Espacio Pangea in Plaza Indautxu. Time: 18:30 - 20:30 Price: €65

28 October. Samaniego in Wine is an event promoted by the family wineries of this village in Rioja Alavesa: Heredad de Aduna, Alútiz, Amaren, Baigorri, Bello Berganzo, Ostatu, Pascual Larrieta and Remírez de Ganuza. Attendees will be able to taste eight wines served with snacks prepared by Tierra y Vino restaurant at the Hotel Palacio de Samaniego. Time: 18:00-21:00 Price: €63.

28 October. Vinoteca La Mercería in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid) presents a series of tastings about wines from Galicia which starts today with DO Ferreiro Cepas Vellas by Gerardo Méndez, Viña Somoza O Tesouro by Javier García Xanledo by Pepiño Pereira, Pedraneira by Eulogio Pomares and Lapola by Dominio de Bibei. Time: 20:30 Price: €15

28-31 October. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño joins in the Halloween celebrations with Hallowine, a escape room in which assistants will have to solve a mystery of some missing Bordón bottles. Time: From 19:00 till 23:00 every 15 minutes. Price: €26

30 October. A new edition of the Rioja Alavesa Wine Run is being held today in Labastida with three types of entries: two 10 km and 20 km races and a leisurely 10 km hike along vineyard-lined paths and trails that includes stops at several wineries in the village. At the end of the race, a wine and local produce fair will be held. Price: from €18