WineTastrs

Wine, Vermouth and Cava tasting weekend in Valencia
2024-09-27 20:30 - 2024-09-30 11:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Valencia, Valencia, Spain
SEND US A QUESTION

The world is just catching on to the fact that the DOs of Utiel-Requena, Manchuela, Valencia and Alicante make wines that are quite different to the usual “international” fare. The incredible terroir and fascinating history combine to give us delicious and striking blends and varietals which look like being the next “big thing”. Bobal dominates the reds, beautifully supported by Monastrell, Petit Verdot and Marselan, among others. There is a dizzying array of white cultivars such as Merseguera, Tardant and Malvasia which can be enjoyed as dominant varieties or in field blends.
On top of that, this area is known for its joyous aperitivo culture. Authorised to make Cava, it’s also the centre of the new vermouth movement that is sweeping Europe. Add to that its fun (and much stronger!) variations on sangría and mimosa and we have ourselves an aperitif masterclass.
To cap things off, we are talking about one of the world’s centres of fruit and vegetables, rice dishes and seafood. From breakfast specialities via local tapas, clams and other fresh produce, to its most famous inventions of paella and fideuà, the restaurants and markets will amaze you.

This long wekend in Valencia will introduce you to the up-and-coming wines from four local DOs, as well as three exciting Catalan specialities: aperitivos, Cava and vermouth. Additionally we will explore the gastronomic culture, history and beach of this wonderful city.

The city itself is a spectacular visit with an amazing cathedral stuffed with art and historical treasures, cool street cafés, a fabulous coastline and Europe’s longest park. This really is a fantastic opportunity to discover the barrios and sample their many delicious offerings.

The weekend starts on Friday evening with an overview of the drinks and gastronomy of the region, plus a tasting of some rarer bottles that are less likely to turn up in bars and restaurants. Over the next two days we will taste all of the major wine types from the four Dos, visit a winery and benefit from the winemaker’s expertise, eat paella and fideuà in a beautiful restaurant, dine by the sea, enjoy an aperitivo extravaganza, picnic on the beach and learn everything worth knowing about Cava and vermouth. There will still be enough free time for you to soak up the city’s atmosphere and sample its famous breakfast options.

SCHEDULE
Your Valencia wine weekend begins when you arrive on the Friday evening in a cool pavement wine bar in the Trinitat quartier.

Friday 27/09/2024

8:30pm
Metro Arago

Wine Tasting Restaurant
Our weekend in Valencia starts on Friday evening at a fantastic wine bar / restaurant in the cool El Pla del Real barrio, just North East of the old town, on the way to the sea. We will outline the foods, wines and aperitivos that make the city such a gastronomic delight, while sampling just a few of both.

Saturday 30/09/2024

Morning
Utiel-Requena

Vineyard Visit
On Saturday morning we will head out to the beautiful red-limestone Utiel-Requena hills to visit a stunnning vineyard with extraordinary design. I am sure that we have all visited wineries before, but this one is really unique. While tasking in the gorgeous view we will try a couple of Valencia’s special fortified wines, and some classic local cava.

5pm
Jardins del Real

City Tour
Saturday evening is in the form of a city walking tour, taking in all the key historical landmarks of the “ciutat vella”, as well as several tapas restaurants. We have located great examples of many of the key Valenciano dishes that you must try. Naturally, we will be taking in the whites, rosés and reds of the four key DOs: Utiel-Requena, Manchuela, Alicante and Valencia.

Sunday 01/10/2024

11am
Mercado Central

Guided Market Tour
Sunday: guided visit to the fabulous Central Market

12am
Del Turia Park

Wine Tasting Picnic
Sunday Lunch: with your purchases from the market we will make our way to Valencia’s wonderful Turia park for a wine tasting picnic.

7pm
Valencia Beach

Aperitivo on the Beach
Sunday evening: By the beautiful sandy, expansive beach we will enjoy some local aperitifs

8.30pm
Valencia Beach

Beachfront Restaurant
Sunday evening: Dinner in an elegant historic restaurant with sea views includes paella of your choice accompanied by reds and whites from this sunkissed region.

Check out some of the great reviews for Sean’s wine tasting events, including the previous weekends in the Languedoc and Loire Valley!
Total price for all events during the weekend is 490 euros. The full agenda will be published shortly but the number of events will be similiar to previous tours including 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor tastings, a city/market tour and a vineyard visit.

To book your place buy a ticket below which covers 30% of the full price of the weekend.
Options for hotels will be added shortly, or you can choose to find your own accomodation.

Wine Tasting Weekend in Champagne
2025-11-08 16:00 - 2025-11-11 11:00 | Reims, Reims, 51100, France
Note: The ticket price shown covers 30% of the total cost of the weekend.

SEND US A QUESTION

Tasting weekend in Champagne

It is our enormous pleasure to offer you all another weekend of wine discovery!
This November we will host a weekend in the famous town of Reims, Champagne. Guided by wine expert Sean, you will taste many AOC bubblies of various producers, styles, years and grape varieties – including a great selection from the Aube vineyards which are 70km from Reims, and therefore sometimes overlooked. What’s more, we’ll sample the rare still wines and digestifs from this magical kingdom of viniculture! Additionally we will take the opportunity to learn about some scandalously little-known northern Burgundy gems as we tour the Salon des Vignerons Independants, which takes place during our stay.
Along the way you will learn all about doseage levels, malolactic choice, lees time, cru status, grower Champagnes, autolysis, remuage, dégorgement, saignée rosés, bottle sizes, vin de réserve, marc, ratafia, liqueurs d’Expédition et de tirage, muselets, pupitres, guyot double etc and so on!

We start, as in prior events, with a wine tasting buffet. This allows us to try some of the more esoteric local classics that are less likely to be on offer at restaurants and winery visits. It also enables us to look at the terroir, geography, and history of the Champagne region, and enjoy some great food pairings.
The following evenings you will eat, and drink, at two of Reims’ best local bistros. To top off the weekend we will visit an independent vineyard, and of course continue the tasting.

Check out some of the great reviews for Sean’s previous wine tasting events.
To book your place buy a ticket below which covers 30% of the full price of the weekend. You can choose to book your own accommodation, or reserve a room in a shared house.

SCHEDULE
Your Champagne wine weekend begins Saturday evening in the famous French town of Reims.

Saturday 08/11/25

Afternoon
Reims Cathedral

Reims City Tour
Saturday: guided tour in the city of Reims, passing by the main historical attractions and enjoying a Champagne apéro along the way.

7.30pm
Reims town centre

Champagne Pairing Dinner
Saturday evening: sparkles and specialities – dinner in a local bistro with Champagne pairing for each course.

Sunday 09/11/25

Morning
Reims

Free time
Sunday morning: free time to roam the town centre and enjoy a chilled lunch.

2pm
Reims Parc Expo

Champagne and wine salon
Sunday afternoon: We’ll attend the famous “Independent Wineries’ Salon” and visit many of the 300+ stands, concentrating on bottles that can’t be easily sourced elsewhere, and that add to our understanding of the North East France wine scene.

7:00pm – 10:00pm
Town centre house

Champagne and other regional libations paired with local produce.
Sunday evening: a curated buffet, showing some wonderful food pairings including the region’s celebrated cheeses – while Sean lays the foundations of Champagne knowledge, that will help you to absorb and understand all the information from the weekend to come.

Monday 10/11/25

Afternoon
Vineyard Visit

Vineyard Visit
Monday afternoon: a vineyard visit to an independent Champagne producer (a rarity in the region), including a tasting session.

7.30pm
Reims Town Centre

Specialities from the North West
Monday evening: The focus for this meal is the sensational food-friendly but under-appreciated wines of Northern Burgundy. We conclude the entire decadent (but educational) weekend with some of Champagne’s famous digestifs.

PRICING
Choose the best option for you, whether you will be travelling as a couple, single, or prefer to book your own accommodation.

Excluding Lodging
Champagne Wine Weekend Tasting Events

Price per person to include all tasting events of the weekend. With this option you will find and book your own accommodation

Champagne tasting buffet
Transport to vineyard including guided tour and tasting
2 evening meals in local restaurants – 3 courses plus aperitif, digestif and champagne/wine to accompany each course
Guided tour around the salon of independent wine makers

490 Euros

Room in shared apartment
Champagne Wine Weekend Tasting events, including double room shared by 2 people for 3 nights.

Price per person based on 2 people sharing a double room. Includes all tasting events of the weekend. With this option you stay in a 4 bed/4 bath house/apartment in the town centre of Reims. We will be vetting the options before booking, so exact property not confirmed yet.

Champagne tasting buffet
Transport to vineyard including guided tour and tasting
2 evening meals in local restaurants – 3 courses plus aperitif, digestif and champagne/wine to accompany each course
Guided tour around the salon of independent wine makers

630 Euros

Shared apartment
Single Room
Champagne Wine Weekend Tasting events, including private double room for 1 person

Price per person for single occupancy of double room. Includes all tasting events of the weekend. With this option you stay in a 4 bed/4 bath house/apartment in the town centre of Reims. We will be vetting the options before booking, so exact property not confirmed yet.

Champagne tasting buffet
Transport to vineyard including guided tour and tasting
2 evening meals in local restaurants – 3 courses plus aperitif, digestif and champagne/wine to accompany each course
Guided tour around the salon of independent wine makers

740 Euros

REFUND POLICY: If you cancel within 2 weeks of the weekend (before the 25th of October) you will get a full refund
If you cancel within 1 week of the event you will get your money back, less the deposit, which will be held over for your next booking.

Travel suggestions – Reims has a train station with main line trains to all major towns and cities. The nearest airports are Paris and Brussels. You can take the train from Paris CDG or Brussels, with a change at Champagne-Ardenne. Paris CDG is only one hour by train, Brussels is 3 hours.
If you choose to drive, it’s a great opportunity to stock up on Champagne for the holidays!! Let us know if you are happy to take other people in the car, and share expenses.
