Spanish Wine Festival

On 30th September and 1st October, the Danish capital was the backdrop to the 3rd edition of ‘Spansk Vinfestival – Vinos auténticos’, an initiative organised by the daily newspaper, Ekstra Bladet, and sponsored by Wines from Spain and the Spanish Foreign Trade Agency Office at the Spanish Embassy in Copenhagen The event was targeted at Danish wine professionals, but also had a special interest in targeting consumers.

Those present —more than 1200 people along the two days— enjoyed a friendly atmosphere in which major Danish Spanish wine importers offered tastings featuring 200 wines from first-class Spanish bodegas from almost every Spanish appellation and protected geographical indication In addition, the event also boasted a Cava Bar and a Sherry Lounge, two specific areas where the characteristics and diversity of both types of wine were showcased.

The programme was rounded off with five masterclasses: two of which were devoted to Cava and were graced with the presence of Joan Amat and Rosó Gabarró (chairman and marketing manager of the Instituto del Cava, respectively), accompanied by speaker Sergi Castro i Solé. Masterclasses were also given on Sherry ‘The New Spain’, and on some of the wines made by Peter Sisseck at the Dominio de Pingus bodega

In an event focusing on premium Spanish wines it is only natural that a taste of Spanish cuisine be included on the programme, and in this case, as might be expected, it was presented in the form of Tapas. The Tango Food Club — owned by Argentinean Gustavo Cordes, with prestigious Catalan chef, Sergi Benages at the helm in the kitchen — was in charge of the Tapas Bar, one of the most popular attractions of the event thanks to a magnificent collection of ‘designer aperitifs’.

To all of which must be added the huge success of the tasting event targeted at the newspaper’s Wine Club members in which around 40 young Danish wine enthusiasts were treated to a wide range of Spanish wines.

Thomas Svensson, the event organiser, acknowledged that at the moment Spanish wines are not as well-known in Denmark as French or Italian wines. However, he is convinced that Spanish wines do have a promising future, and maintains that interest is increasing rapidly thanks to their excellent value for money and the allure of native grape varieties.

The 2012 edition of the ‘Spansk Vinfestival – Vinos auténticos is planned for the 28th and 29th September next year.