Wine tastings in September 2018

While many wineries are busy picking grapes, the events' agenda in September goes back to pre-summer mode with countless harvest festivals like those in Jerez, Rioja Alavesa and Ribera del Duero among many others throughout the country. Tastings also return to the usual venues but there’s an extra activity this month for students and wine aficionados: a winemaking course for beginners at the university in Madrid.

1 September. Bodegas Ochoa invites wine lovers to spend a morning at their estate in Olite (Navarra) to enjoy their festival “Vivimos el Vino”. Participants will be able to visit the winery, taste their wines, oil and grapes and enjoy live music and discounts at their store. Kids will also have their own activities. Time: 10:00-14:00. Price: €5 for a standard visit, €15 theatre visit. Bookings on +34948 740 006

1-16 September. Jerez’s Harvest Festival or Fiesta de la Vendimia is dedicated to the nearby town of Rota and starts with the foot-treading of the grapes at the Reducto in the town’s cathedral. Throughout the first half of the month there will be numerous wine-related activities including a photo exhibition about the cooper trade the Santo Domingo Cloisters, guided tours of cooper houses like Antonio Páez Lobato and Huberto Domecq, an event about local grape variety Tintilla de Rota, a guided tour of the city’s wine heritage, a showroom and tastings of Sherry wines, a children’s venencia contest and tastings at some of the region’s leading wineries.

1-30 September. Institut del Cava continues this month with its activities in honour of the harvest which start on the first day of the month with a picking of grapes, tasting and tour of Torelló, followed by a reenactment of the harvest at Llopart in 1887 (2nd), daytime harvest at Sumarroca (8th), paired dinner among vines at Giró Ribot (15th) and family harvest at Freixenet (16th), among other activities. Prices vary depending on the activity.

5, 12 and 19 September. To celebrate the final days of summer in Barcelona, Wine Courses Barcelona will be exploring the fresh and dynamic array of wines from northwest Spain. Between the five key regions of Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, and Monterrei, there is a wealth of wine treasures and singular producers to be discovered. Wines at the tasting will include Albariño Shanela 2016 from the Salnés region in Rías Baixas, made by Rioja’s David Sampedro of Bodegas Bhilar, Lomba dos Ares 2016 from bold bodega Fedellos do Couto in Ribeira Sacra among others. Location: Bow Barcelona (Roger de Lluria 46). Price: €145 for the three-evening course; €55 for any single evening.

6 September. Nico Boise, sommelier at restaurant Elkano in Getaria, presents a tasting of Pinots at Goñi Ardoteka in the centre of San Sebastián (Aldamar, 3). It's an unusual opportunity to taste blends like Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir,  Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Beurot, and siingle varietals of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Time: 19:30 Price: €48

6-9 September. The Mostra del vi de l’Empordà, which takes place in Figueres (Girona), includes guided tours, children’s workshops, themed and guided tastings, exhibitions, concerts and the chance to taste the wines of producers such as Arché Pagès, Espelt Viticultors, La Vinyeta, Pere Guardiola, Martí Fabra, Perelada or Vinyes dels Aspres, among others. Time: Thursday and Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday.

6, 13 and 27 September. Following on with their Summer Experiences, Bodegas Valenciso in Ollauri (La Rioja) holds several activities this month. On the first (19:00), Luis Valentín presents a tasting of one wine from three different types of barrels: American oak, French and Russian. On the 7th, Valenciso wines will be accompanying the delicious artisan ice-creams of DellaSera at Catarte (Espacio Lagares, Logroño). On the 13th, professor Paco del Castillo will lead a tasting of Montilla-Moriles and Sherry wines and on the 27th wine expert Juancho Asenjo will host a tasting of wines from Sicily. Both activities will take place at the hotel Husa Gran Vía in Logroño. Time: 19:30 Price: €25 Booking is required on +34 941 304 724

7-9 September. The town of Montemayor (Córdoba) prepares Europe's largest pasera where visitors will discover the process of drying the Pedro Ximénez grapes in the sun and the artisan production of wine. Additionally, there will be workshops for adults and children, music, talks and tastings led by the Regulatory Body of Montilla-Moriles. Location: Montemayor Trade Center.

8 September. The 20th Harvest & Wine Festival in Poboleda takes place in this Catalan town with a recreation of a harvest as it was done in the old days, with mules and transport carts, followed by a breakfast for the whole community. From 11:00 the village wineries open their doors to visitors and there will also be street tastings of wines from the DOQ Priorat, an artisan market and castellers (human towers).

13 September. Master of Wine Fernando Mora presents a tasting & dinner at restaurant Los Cabezudos in Zaragoza (Antonio Agustín 12-14) with some of the wines he makes under the brand Frontonio (Frontonio Telescópico 2016, Garnacha Blanca 2016, Las Alas de Frontonio 2016, Tuca Negra 2016) plus three wines of his new project El Jardín de Las Iguales (Macabeo, Garnacha and Solera 1921). Time: 21:00 Price: €75

14 September. CVNE turns off the lights of its cellars in Haro once again this year to host the Night of the Candles which includes a tasting of traditional tapas paired with the wines CVNE, Monopole, Viña Real Rosado, Cune Maceración Carbónica and Cune Reserva. Time: 19:30 Price: €30

15 September. The Empordà cellar Espelt Viticultors hosts a harvest the old-fashioned way at its vineyards in Vilajuïga (Girona) cutting grape bunches by hand and stomping them with the feet before enjoying a lunch al fresco with organic sausages, bread with tomato and the wines of the winery. Time: 10:00 Price: €18 € adults/ € 12 children aged 4-12.

15 September. In Ollauri, the 22nd edition of Mercado de la Vendimia hosts artisans, small producers, an oil mill, organic products and a tasting of wines and pinchos from Ollauri, as well as a photographic competition and a guided tour around this pretty Rioja village and its vineyards. The wineries in the village also open their doors to visitors during the morning. Time: from 10:30 Price: €8 (glass + 3 wines + 3 pinchos).

15 and 22 September. Verema Solidaria is an initiative born in 2016 to fight against poverty and social exclusion in Catalonia launched by grape grower Rubén Parera (Celler Parera) after his experiences working with immigrants who had no access to the most basic resources. Since then, various fundraising activities are held. This month’s activities are a tasting at Hostal Sport in Falset of charity wines 2017 Celler Credo Blanco, Celler La Vinyeta rosado, Raventós i Blanc Xarel.lo and Cariñena tinta by Bodega Cooperativa de Espolla (15th, €10) and a charity harvest at Can Rafols del Caus followed by a tasting and meal at the winery’s vineyards in the Garraf mountains near Barcelona (€38).

15,16, 22 and 23 September. For those who want to experience what’s like to harvest grapes, Familia Torres offers a Day of Harvest picking grapes at the Mas La Plana vineyard in Penedès to end with a tasting of Penedès wines paired with a selection of products from the region. The winery also hosts 'From the vine to the glass’, a treasure hunt to identify the different grape varieties followed by a tasting of these grapes as berries and as wine. Both activities finish with a tour of the bodega. Price: €35 and €45 € respectively. Bookings on 938 17 73 30

16 September. Rioja Alavesa hosts its 25th Fiesta de la Vendimia in the village of Elvillar with wine tastings, music, a visit to the Hechicera dolmen, pelota matches, children’s activities and a popular lunch for everyone who wants to join. Time: From 11:00 Price: €7/glass + 5 wines

16 September. As part of its Mountain Wine & Music 2018, Bentomiz in Sayalonga (Málaga) presents Ellas, a tribute to the great divas of jazz and soul while participants enjoy the wines of Ariyanas and a selection of tapas. Time: From 18:00 Price: €35

17 September - 5 October. The Chemistry School at the Complutense University in Madrid (UCM) hosts a beginners' course on winemaking and wine tasting, which will be held over three weeks (16:30 to 19:30). The course is open to students and wine aficionados. As well as the theory lessons, students will visit bodegas El Regajal and Las Moradas de San Martín as well as Finca El Encín, in Alcalá de Henares, a centre housing the largest collection of grape varieties in Spain. Tastings will be held in partnership with Dominio de la Vega and Rioja Alta. Price: €150

18 September. Jaume Vial, in charge of Cava Mestres, presents at Umami Gijón (Avda. Rufo Rendueles, 8) tasting of its cavas, made with base wines aged in oak butts and long ageing periods with cork stoppers. Tasters will have a chance to try Coquet Gran Reserva 2013, Clos Nostre Senyor 2008, Clos Damiana 2004, Mas Vía 2004 and Mas Vía 1987 Magnum. Time: 20:00 Price: €15

19 September. To present its new premises in San Sebastian's old town, Dani Corman hosts the first tasting of Essencia in its version as store only with an impressive list of wines including Champagne Les Crayeres du Levant 2014 (Domaine Aurelien Lurquin), Paul Pernot Puligny Montrachet 2009, Julien Meyer Zellberg L'Hermitage 1998, Artadi Viña El Pisón 2002 and Ganevat Sul Q 2004. A few bites will be served after the tasting. Time: 19:00 Price: €75 Further information and bookings on +34 667 982506

20 September. Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) presents a tasting of “radical, Martian and beyond the law” wines with the following brands:  Porcellànic, by Tom Rimbau. 2011, David Leclápart L´Astre, ULM de Octavin 2013, Denavolo Dinavolo, by Giulio Armani 2016, GutOggau Josephine (Rot) 2015 and Coulée de Serrant by Nicolas Joly 2011. The tasting will be conducted by Juanma Ruiz Casado. Price: €45 Time: 20:30

20 September. Over 30 producers will be present at Salón Verema Sparkling, Sweet and Fortified wines which is set to be held at Hotel Palace in Barcelona. As well as the tasting tables, there will be a tasting conducted by the DO Cava. Time: :12:00-21:00 Price: €5 online  (€10 on the day)

21 September. Wine store Vinosfera in Vitoria (Rafael Alberti, 24) presents a tasting of white wines from Rioja Alavesa and txakolis from the three Basque appellations. After the tasting, Ibérico ham and Idiazabal cheese will be served. Time: 19:00- 21:00 Price: €20

21 September. Wine store El Buen Gusto Vinos in Valladolid (Manuel Silvela 2) starts the post-summer season with a tasting of Group Vega Sicilia wines such as: Oremus Furmint Mandolás 2016 (Hungary), Oremus Aszu 5 puttonyos 2008 (Hungary), Alión 2014 (DO Ribera del Duero), Valbuena 2013 (DO Ribera del Duero), Pintia 2013 (DO Toro) and Macán Clásico 2014 (DOCa Rioja). The tasting will be followed by a few bites to eat. Time: 20:00 Price: €40

22 September. The second edition of Ribera del Duero's Great Harvest Festival takes place in Aranda de Duero with the traditional grape treading and tasting of the first must, stands with local wines and music with live performances of artists like Antonio Orozco, who will be named Harvest Ambassador, La Orquesta Mondragón, Pixie Dixie Band or Fetén Fetén, among others.

25 September. As part of their cycle devoted to discovering the men and women who stand out for making wines from the vineyard, Unión Española de Catadores in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) has invited Santi Rivas (Colectivo Decantado) to present nine vigneron wines which represent this way of life: Abel Mendoza, Bernabeleva, Ignios Orígenes, Callejuela, Ponte da Boga, Arrayan, Viña Zorzal, Fuentegalana and Gerardo Méndez. Time: 19:00 Price: €35 (€20 members)

27 September. La Vinacoteca in Barcelona (Valencia, 595) presents a tasting of Loire whites, a region with 800km of river and a wealth of climats, soils and varieties. The wines on taste are Domaines Landron Les Houx 2015, Domaine de l'Ecu Carpe Diem 2013, Alphonse Mellot Satellite 2016, Domaine Vacheron L'Enclos des Remparts 2015, Didier Dagueneau Pouilly Fumé Buisson Renard 2013, Domaine de Bellivière Calligramme Sec 2015, Mark Angeli Les Fouchardes 2013, Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennières 2014, François Chidaine Montlouis Les Bournais Franc de Pied Sec 2015 and Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux Réserve 2009. Time: 20:00 to 22:00. Price: €29  (€20 for members).

27 September. As part of its “Meet the winemaker” dinners, Lavinia in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) has invited Miguel Ángel de Gregorio, a pioneer of diversity in Rioja and author of reds like Calvario or whites like Mártires as part of his project Finca Allende. Time: 21:00  Price: €65

27 September. Bodega Urbana in Bilbao (Gran Vía, 66) has invited Fran Ceacero, head bartender at Gin Fizz Bar School, to present a cocktail session with six wine-based coktails (Zurracapote, Adonis, Sherry Cobbler, New York-Pisco Sour, Diamond Fizz and Porto Flip) paired with a few bites. Bookings on 944 416181 Time: 19:00 Price: €30

28-29 September. Evento Sarmiento is a weekend to enjoy wine and indie music in Bierzo. The party commences on the 28th with a concert by Luis Brea and El Miedo followed by grape harvesting and foot-treading in Finca Valdetruchas, fun irreverent tastings with Santi Rivas (Colectivo Decantado), a lunch and concert and a final fiesta. Among the bodegas taking part are Casar de Burbia, Luna Beberide, Merayo, Peique, Perez Caramés, Tenorio Gayoso, Valtuille, Tilenus, Godelia, Vinos San Esteban and Akilia as well as the odd producer from Jerez and the eau-de-vie of Justina de Liébana in Cantabria. A bus service to the main towns in Bierzo has been arranged.

29 September. Now that the heat has died down, Master of Wine student Fintan Kerr restarts his Maestrazgo Wine Club tastings in Barcelona including one with wines from Galicia enjoyed over lunch. The wine list features Fulcro 2017, Sameiras Blanco 2016, Avancia Cuvee de O 2016, Castro Candaz Finca el Curvado 2014 and Valderroa 2015. Where: Kserol (Carrer de Nàpols, 184-186) Time: 13:00 Price: 30 € per person. For ticket purchases, it's best to email him directly at fintankerr@winecuentista.com

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 info@spanishwinelover.com