The annual Peñín tasting of the top wines from Spain is around the corner and will be held at the Ventas bullring in Madrid. October is a good month for #winelovers - there are plenty of interesting tastings and wine events in Spain. 

1 October. Bodega Urbana in Bilbao organises a sushi and international wine tasting led by owner and winemaker Ana Martín, who consults for Spanish wineries such as Traslanzas, Castillo de Cuzcurrita and Itsamendi. The activity takes place between 7.30-9.30 pm on Gran Vía 66. Price: €35. Bookings can be done on the shop's website or calling +34 944 416 181 

2 October.  Rioja's wine fair at Lavinia will gather some of the best wineries in the appellation. The event will take place at the retailer’s headquarters in Madrid (Ortega y Gasset, 16) and tapas will be served along with wine. €10 per person (special price for club members); 6 to 9 pm.

3 October. Fifth edition of Vinoro exhibition at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid (Plaza Lealtad, 5). Organized by Alamesa wine consulting company, it will gather a selection of international award winning Spanish wines. New features include a charity wine shop with profits going to charity Mensajeros de la Paz, and a chance for attendants to vote for their favourite wine. 12 to 9 pm. Tickets can be bought online.

3 October. The Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones (La Rioja) organises the 4th National Poetry and Wine Day. Well-known Spanish poets such as José Manuel Caballero Bonald (Cervantes Award 2012), Olvido García Valdés (National Poetry Award 2007) y Antonio Lucas Herrero (Loewe Award 2014) will be in attendance. The gathering will end with a cocktail paired with wines from Bodegas Vivanco. Entrance is free but booking is required on +34 941 322 305. Time: 7.30 pm

3, 4 and 5 October. Tastings, food and wine pairings and vineyard walks are some of the activities that will take place in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (40 km west of Barcelona) during the 18th edition of Cava and Gastronomy Festival, known as Cavatast. There will be over 40 food and cava stands with producers such as Gramona, Agustí Torelló Mata and Llopart, among others. Click here to view the full programme.

6 October. Second edition of Wine Sessions at San Sebastián Gastronomika food festival conducted by sommelier Ferran Centelles and WSET educator David Molina. Registration fee: €80. The Wine&Win contest will be held the same day. Played in pairs, it follows an amusing TV quiz show format. Registration fee for the contest is €75 and can be done here.

6 and 7 October. La Tavina, one of Logroño’s most dynamic gastrowine espaces (Laurel St. 2), organises a tasting with wine and Brix chocolates, which are specifically blended to compliment wine and were created by an American pulmonologist. The tasting will involve four types of chocolate and four international wines. Booking necessary. Time: 8:30

9 October. Major brands from Ribera del Duero (Flor de Pingus Valbuena, Pago de Carraovejas Reserva…) will be tasted blind at wine retailer Vila Viniteca in Madrid (El Mostrador de Vila Viniteca, General Díaz Porlier, 45). Registration fee: €59 (members €49). 8 pm

13 October. Grenache wine lovers have a chance to try new offerings at Vintage Bar in Vitoria, the Basque capital. The tasting includes selections of this variety from Rioja, Aragón, Catalunya, Castilla, France and Italy with a snack to end the event. (Ramiro de Maeztu, 5) Price: 50 €. At 8 pm. To book, call +34 945 132 993

14 October. Those interested in discovering palo cortado, one of the most fascinating Sherry wines, should book a place at the tasting conducted by the UEC (Spanish Wine Tasters Association) at their premises (López de Vega, 27) in Madrid. Registration fee: €35 (members €20). 7 pm

16 October. The 15th edition of Peñín Guide’s top Spanish wines exhibition will be really special as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Peñín Guide itself. Around 200 wineries will be pouring their wines, all of them rated 93 points or higher. The exhibition will be held from 11 am to 9 pm, when the guide’s prizes will be awarded. Professional registration fee: €100. The event will open its doors for wine aficionados from 5 pm (registration fee €60). Tickets can be bought directly at the event but attendants are encouraged to do it in advance at the company’s website.

21 October. White wine lovers should check this interesting tasting featuring selections form Alsacian winery René Kientz at Enoteca Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara, 211, Madrid). Conducted by one of the winery’s oenologists, participants will be able to taste an old vintage along with the current range. Registration fee: €20. 8.30 pm. 

21 October. A walk with Jorge and Victoria Ordóñez  at Bodegas Santa Cecilia (Aula de Cata. Blasco de Garay, 74, Madrid) will feature the wines made by Jorge Ordóñez & Co. Group in Spain.  A rare chance to attend a tasting by leading Spanish wine importer in the US Jorge Ordóñez. Registration fee: €30 (members: €25). 7 pm

24 October. Navarra's Night of Wine (La Noche del Vino de Navarra) celebrates its 7th edition at Pamplona's Citadel (Sala de Armas de la Ciudadela). Music, exhibitions, theatre and circus acts will be displayed along with the wines of the appellation in an effort to promote wine culture among young people. Tickets include four wine and four pintxos prepared by local restaurant La Cocina de Alex Múgica. Click here for details to purchase tickets in advance. Address: Avenida del Ejército s/n Price: €15. 8.30pm. 

28 October. Monvinic organises many wine events and tastings throughout the year at their impressive premises in central Barcelona. The highlight of this month is Ton Mata, from Cavas Recaredo, who will deliver a presentation on bioydinamic agriculture. He knows his subject well: his 50 hectares of vineyards in Alt Penedès are grown this way to make terroir-driven cavas. The talk will be followed by a biodynamic wine tasting. Price: €45. 8 pm.

10, 17, 24 and 30 October. The wine evenings at La Tintorería (Gurtubay, 4, Madrid) are open-door tastings featuring four or five producers and have been organized to celebrate the fifth anniversary of this dynamic wine retailer which specialises in small wine producers and vignerons. Attendance is free, but guests are encouraged to book in advance.

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