Wine, Vermouth and Cava tasting weekend in Valencia

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.