Wines from Spain tasting to highlight diversity

This year’s annual Wines from Spain tasting at Tobacco Dock on Thursday 9 March will shine a light on innovation and regional diversity within the country.

Rafael Palacios’ Godello vineyards in Valdeorras

Some 64 importers and exporters are due to present wines from their eclectic portfolios at Tobacco Dock in east London.

This year tasters can slurp their way through 1,200 wines from over 300 different wineries that showcase Spain’s mosaic of diverse terroirs, indigenous varieties and wine styles.

Two feature tastings will be open to visitors from 10am to 6pm. The first, titled The White Revolution, offers a snapshot of the exciting wines that are putting Spanish whites on the map, taking in whites from Rioja, Galicia and Valencia.

Omar Allibhoy of Tapas Revolution

The second, Around Spain in 80 Wines, takes tasters on a whistle-stop tour of Spain’s wine regions exploring the diversity of styles and varieties that defines Spanish wines today.

Spanish gastronomy will take centre stage from 12-2pm when Tapas Revolution will be serving signature dishes created by celebrated chef Omar Allibhoy.

Born in Madrid, Allibhoy trained under the legendary Ferran Adrià of El Bulli. Today he runs the successful Tapas Revolution chain that boasts sites in Shoreditch, Sheffeild, Newcastle, Birmingham and Bath.

At 2pm, Beltrán Domecq will host a masterclass on the evolution of Sherry, tracing its different styles, from fresh manzanillas to unctuous olorosos via a tasting of eight Sherries that run the gamut from bone dry to treacle sweet.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis on the day around 15 minutes before the start of each session.

Be sure to pick up a copy of db’s latest Spain report, which features in-depth looks at traditional vs. modern Rioja, Cava’s new quality tier, the success of Spanish wines in the UK and Spain’s most influential female winemakers.