Hey guys!
We’re splitting time between Madrid and Seville this week, so this write-up is all about Spain. We’re highlighting wine spots in Madrid, breaking down the classic Spanish taberna, and sharing an up-and-coming producer we’re excited about. Enjoy 🇪🇸
Where to Drink Wine in Madrid 🍷
Madrid especially has an incredible wine scene right now, high quality restaurants, lively wine bars, and excellent shops packed into nearly every neighborhood, making it a dream city for anyone who plans their days around what they’re going to eat and drink. Here are a few spots we’ve loved:
Angelita📍
This was easily the most recommended spot we heard about in Madrid, and it absolutely delivered. The space is gorgeous, the wine list feels as thick as a dictionary, and the food more than holds its own. We opened some very good wine here, including bottles two Spanish bottles from Jorge Olivera, Pablo Soldavini, and rising Jura star, Antoine Robles.
Pictured: Angelita Bar
La Finsa📍
This was another spot friends kept pointing us toward, and it’s easy to see why. The room is super cozy, and the wine list is deep, especially on the Spanish side, which feels thoughtfully curated rather than just meaninglessly extensive. The tapas are no-frills and satisfying. We opened three Spanish wines here from up-and-coming producers like Rioja-based Jade Gross and Galician-based As Londras, and left extremely impressed.
Pictured: La Fisna Line-up
Ganz Wine Bar📍
The team at Ganz reached out on IG, plus a few Madrid bartenders echoed the recommendation, so we stopped in here for lunch, and it turned into one of the standout meals of the trip. The food is super simple, Spanish flavors, and the cellar pulls from all over Europe. They blinded us on a Verdejo from Cantalapiedra Viticultores that drank like top-tier Chenin Blanc.
Pictured: Cantalapiedra Bottle at Ganz
We loved exploring Madrid’s wine scene, it feels like we only scratched the surface, and we’re already looking forward to coming back for more.
Honorable Mentions: Gota, La Capa, Masa, La Alquimia
Defining a Spanish Taberna 🇪🇸
Beyond the city’s many wine bars, we’ve been making a point to spend time in more traditional local spots, most often landing in tabernas. In Madrid, a taberna is a classic neighborhood bar/tavern serving timeless Spanish dishes and regional drinks in a setting that’s been part of daily life for generations. Here are some key characteristics:
Pictured: Bodega de la Ardosa
Simple Food:
Think jamón ibérico carved to order, tortilla española, boquerones, gildas, callos a la madrileña, and seasonal plates meant for sharing. The focus is on quality products and, more importantly, a perfect pairing with a beer or vermouth.
Pictured: Gilda
Historic, Traditional Setting:
Think tiled & colorful walls, wooden bars worn smooth from years of use, hanging legs of ham on the ceiling, chalkboard menus all over in a (usually) standing only environment. Most tabernas we went to truly feel frozen in time.
Pictured: Casa Camacho
Vermouth, Local Beer & More:
Many tabernas pour vermut de grifo (vermouth on tap) alongside sherry, local beers, and an some selection of Spanish wines by the glass. All go perfectly with the tapas served.
Pictured: Vurmut & Soda
A Bit of History
Tabernas date back centuries simply as neighborhood gathering spots, places where workers, families, and friends met for a quick drink or a long afternoon. In Madrid especially, they became part of daily life: informal, social, and simple.
Pictured: Jamon
One taberna we stopped into, Taberna La Dolores, felt like a true Madrid time capsule. The room was loud with conversation, people packed at the counter, plates of jamón moving quickly, vermouth and beers constantly landing. An older Spanish uncle ran the bar, and we quickly realized you had to be decisive, after getting brushed off a few times. The second we confidently said “tres cervezas,” we were in and part of the rhythm.
Pictured: Taberna Dolores
If you find yourself in Madrid, make time to stand at the bar of a classic taberna with a drink and plate of jamon, it’s a must.
A few recommendations are Bodega de la Ardosa, Taberna La Dolores, Casa Camacho, and Taberna Laredo
Producer Highlight ⭐
One of our favorite parts of wine is the discovery: we’re constantly being put on to new regions, producers, and cuvées from our friends. We’ll never be able to try EVERY wine, but we want to take a moment to mention some producers that excite us!
Jorge Olivera 🍷
Location: Huesca, Aragon, Spain📍
Pictured: Huesca, Aragon, Spain. Image by Wikipedia
In the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees in Aragón, Jorge Olivera is quickly emerging as one of Spain’s most exciting young winemakers. What started as a side passion while working as a mechanical engineer soon became something much bigger, eventually turning into his full-time focus. Entirely self-taught, he returned to his mother’s hometown and built a cellar designed for long aging, driven by a commitment to precision and patience in the winery.
He farms 7 hectares organically, guided by biodynamic practices to keep the soils balanced and alive. His vineyards include Moristel, Parraleta, and Garnacha for reds, and Macabeo and Garnacha Blanca for whites, alongside leased Syrah and estate Chardonnay. Most of the wines age 10-12 months in barrel, with some raised in stainless steel depending on the cuvée.
Pictured: Jorge Olivera Bottles. Image by SpanishWineLover
In just a few vintages, Jorge has emerged as one of Spain’s most exciting voices. He’s part of a new generation of vignerons in this region working with extreme intent, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in-store for him.
Pictured: Jorge Olivera Kemisio
We had been hearing about Jorge from several people in New York and kept an eye out, though his bottles are nearly impossible to find in the U.S. We finally had one in Madrid at Angelita this week and it really lived up to expectations: it was a blend of white and red grapes that reminded us of a Tavel rosé, super fresh and light while still having a lot of concentration. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more.
Wine Club Updates 🍷 📦
February’s shipment is heading out this week! Hope you guys enjoy and let us know what you think. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to reach out to [email protected] and they’ll get you sorted quickly!
Not a member yet? You can sign up here:
That’s it for today! If you haven’t made it to this part of the world yet, I hope you get the chance soon, it really is a special place. And if you’re planning a trip, let us know, we’re always happy to share recommendations.
Thank so much for reading, and as always, drink responsibly! 🥂