Join us this Saturday afternoon, April 20, 4-7pm, for a free tasting to get you in the Spring swing of things at Tinto Fino in the East Village. Each April the city of Seville in the south of Spain puts on a huge party, known as the Feria de Abril (April Fair). This year’s fair started on Monday and runs through Sunday this weekend. To help you celebrate like our friends in Seville we offer you a taste of the festivities.

Sevillana women in colorful traditional costume in front of fairground tents, called casetas, at Seville's annual April Fair. Photo: © Ed Tarwinski

One of the things we love about the Feria is that copious amounts of Manzanilla Sherry are served all around town, but especially at the fairgrounds in tent-like booths called casetas, which are sponsored by families, clubs, trade groups, political parties and the like. The festival is well known for its Flamenco music, dancing, partying, parades, horse drawn carriages and plenty of tapas. And many a late night too.

Equipo Navazos “I Think” Manzanilla will be the first wine in our nod to the fun in Seville. Fresh, crisp, dry and flowery, this exceptionally well-balanced Manzanilla is well worth trying, even if you are not yet into the whole Sherry thing. Its intensity and honeyed richness are quite a few steps above the more commercial variety typically served at the Feria. So you’ll be drinking better than most Sevillanos!

Next in our line up is Castro de Lobarzán, a Godello blend. This crisp white offers a nose brimming with fresh lemon, pear and chalk scents, accented by touches of tarragon, melon, lime peel and baked apple. The palate is very long with lingering mineral notes. And it received 93 points from Wine & Spirits magazine too.

For the reds we offer two medium weight wines ideal for the coming warmer weather: Estrela Ribeira Sacra Mencía and Orgullo Rioja. Estrela is super fragrant, mineral and un-oaked for easy going enjoyment. Its from 80-100 year old vines and offers surprising complexity for a young wine. Orgullo is an earthy, chewy cherry Rioja from with modest oak aging which helps keep it smooth and bright. Its got plenty of character from family owned vines and pairs with a wide range of foods.

We hope to see you this Saturday for a little April merriment of our own at Tinto Fino! 85 1st AVE, (btw E. 5th & 6th STs) Manhattan; 212.254.0850.

Join us this Saturday afternoon, February 2, 4-7pm, for a free debut tasting of two new wines plus two rarities from Vinyes d’Olivardots at Tinto Fino in the East Village. The debut line-up includes a super limited production and very old vine white along with a fruit and flavor packed red, both shown here for the first time in the US. The rarities are single vineyard wines from the Terroir Varietal Collection.

Vinyes d'Olivardots "Finca Olivardots" label close-up.

The debut white, 2011 Blanc de Gresa ($28), is a blend of 90-110 year old vine and scarcely planted varietals Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Rosada and Cariñena Blanca. It’s loaded with character and flavor. The nose offers a medley of waxy golden apple and fresh crushed green apple scents with hints of vanilla and nutmeg spice. The palate is ample, bright, silky and long, marked by a core of green apple, pineapple and pear flavors, with undercurrents of pine needle, bay leaf, mint and chalky minerality that lead into a lively pineapple inflected finish, lined with delicate sweet butter tones.

Their debuting entry level red, 2011 Finca Olivardots ($25), is lush and forward, and features deep berry flavors with a smooth mouthfeel, rounded by soft oak tones. The nose offers intense blackberry scents accompanied by black pepper notes. The palate is full and chewy with brambly dark berries and pure black plum flavors along with mineral, spearmint and spicy peppery tones. Good acidity provides lift through the silky mid-palate into the lively, creamy plum and berry finish with lingering chocolate brownie nuances.

In addition, we will also offer a taste of two special wines from the Vinyes d’Olivardots Terroir Varietal Collection. These are extremely limited production, single vineyard wines (63 cases each) that showcase what can be achieved when the right grape is grown in the right soil with the right climate! Vd’O 1.08 is made from 60+ year old Cariñena vines grown in the slaty soil of “Vinya de l’Avi Joan”. Vd’O 3.08 is made from 100% Syrah planted in the rocky and sandy soil of “Paratge Olivardots”. These are both wines of great richness and complexity and only a very small quantity remain available for sale at a special low price. We welcome you to come by and try for yourself!

We hope to see you this Saturday at Tinto Fino! 85 1st AVE, (btw E. 5th & 6th STs) Manhattan; 212.254.0850.

Join us for this enticing kickoff to after-work holiday shopping in SoHo: a wine tasting of two super small and super marvelous Mediterranean producers. This free, in-store tasting at Despaña – Vinos y Mas will feature whites, reds and a sweet from Celler la Muntanya and Bodegas Horacio Calvente. It can also serve as a calming break between gift getting moments—and a relaxed gift finding opportunity!

That’s today, Dec. 13, from 5 to 7:30pm at Despaña, 410 Broome St., SoHo, NYC.

Overhead view of micro vineyards in Muro, Alicante; given new life by Celler la Muntanya and the Microvineyard project. Imagery: 2/14/2012. Google Maps © 2012 Cnes/Spot Image, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, TerraMetrics, Map data ©2012 Tele Atlas

Celler la Muntanya is at the heart of the Microvineyard movement which strives to rescue and restore small vineyard plots across the Mediterranean and to make them economically viable. The movement is part of a broader initiative spearheaded by Elviart, a non-profit association whose aim is to defend the Mediterranean ecosystem, culture, and arts.

In this leading position Celler la Muntanya makes superb, authentic Mediterranean wines by sourcing grapes from a mix of outstanding local, organically farmed micro-vineyards, pay fair rates for the quality of their produce, and to promote an ecologically, culturally and economically sustainable wine production practices. Top Priorat winemaker Adrià Pérez is part of the team, helping ensure the wines are delicious!

We encourage you to try the crisp and layered Albir white (now available at Boulud Sud restaurant across from Lincoln Center), the lush, barrel-aged Lliure Albir white, the flavorful, elegant Negre red, a Mediterranean blend, and the delectable Dolç sweet white, from old vine Malvasia.

Calvente Castillejos single vineyard red label. Image: © 2012 Bodegas Horacio Calvente

Bodegas Horacio Calvente began as a personal vision of its namesake, Horacio Calvente. Horacio recovered forgotten and neglected old vineyards in the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Granada near the Mediterranean coast. Using traditional winemaking methods along with modern techniques, he strives to produce high quality wine that showcases the tradition, terroir and potential of the region.

The featured wine at the tasting will be the Calvente Castillejos 2009, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah based red blend. The grapes come from high altitude vineyard plots on steep slopes in calcareous clay and shale soil. It has a rich and complex bouquet of dark fruit and spices and is balanced, well structured and ageworthy.

We hope to help elevate your holiday cheer at Despaña – Vinos y Mas, 410 Broome Street (just east of Lafayette), SoHo, NYC.

Basilio Izquierdo signing a bottle of his B de Basilio.

Don’t miss this chance to meet Legendary Rioja winemaker Basilio Izquierdo today! Basilio was winemaker at CVNE for 32 years, having made some of Spain’s greatest and most ageworthy wines going back to the 1970s.

Today he’s here with his own superlative wines plus a mix of additional Rioja wines at Tinto Fino in the East Village. There are also a few seats remaining for dinner tomorrow with Basilio matched with the cuisine of chef Eduard Frauneder, a recent Iron Chef America winner.

The Tasting — Sunday, 12/9, 4-7pm @ Tinto Fino
Join Basilio this Sunday afternoon in the East Village for a free tasting of his “B de Basilio” 2010 White and “B de Basilio” 2007 Red. His ageworthy (and gift-worthy) wines will be the star attraction, joined by a mix of other Rioja selections to provide a window on Rioja’s diversity, quality and value — thanks to the support of Vibrant Rioja. Basilio will be signing bottles, which really do make great gifts for the wine lovers in your life …including yourself!

The Dinner — Monday, 12/10, 7:30pm @ Edi & the Wolf
Together with our merchant partner Tinto Fino and Chef Eduard Frauneder of Edi & the Wolf we have put together a fantastic evening of food, wine and merriment in the East Village. Chef Frauneder helms Edi & the Wolf, and his accolades include being Austria’s youngest Michelin starred chef, along with his recent Iron Chef America victory.

Interior of acclaimed chef Eduard Frauneder’s Edi & the Wolf Restaurant

Chef Frauneder’s outstanding, rustic Austrian fare has been specially selected to pair with the evening’s wines. To make sure this event is a knockout, we will also be offering a sneak preview of Basilio’s new Acodo wines—launching next year—and to top it all off two grand old Riojas, a 1964 and a 1970. Call Tinto Fino @ 212.254.0850 to secure your space as seating is limited. $95/person (tax and gratuity included).

T H E  M E N U

Welcome Copita
Equipo Navazos “I Think” Manzanilla Sherry
A rich, harmonious and complex unfiltered Manzanilla.

Autumn Salad
Roasted Pears, Hazelnuts, Arugula, Turnips, Boucheron, Cider/Sherry Vinaigrette
Basilio Izquierdo “Acodo” Blanco 2010 Rioja
A preview of Basilio’s new white: young, fresh and layered.

Alsatian Flatbread
Leeks, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Camembert Cheese, Roasted Garlic, Herbs
Basilio Izquierdo “B de Basilio” Blanco 2009 Rioja
A wonderfully oak kissed old vine blend that is round, supple and bursting with character.
Castrijo 1964 Rioja Gran Reserva
A superfine example of classic Rioja from an epic vintage.

Pork Belly
House Cured Heritage Pig, Apples, Horseradish, Mustard
Basilio Izquierdo “Acodo” Tinto 2009 Rioja
A preview of Basilio’s new red—juicy, bright and flavor rich to cut through all the pork belly richness.

Duck Two Ways
Long Island Duck, Butternut Squash, Black Trumpets, Cranberries
Basilio Izquierdo “B de Basilio” Red 2007 Rioja
The perfect expression of Basilio’s supple yet powerful style;
an incomparable blend of silky pure fruit and ageworthy structure.

Cheese
Selection of Cheeses, Onion Jam, Lingonberries, Pumpkinseeds
Franco-Españolas “Royal Tete de Cuvée” 1970 Rioja Gran Reserva
Age, beauty and grace played out in strawberry and cigar.
End the night with this mature classic lingering on your palate.

We hope to see you this Sunday at Tinto Fino, 85 1st AVE (btw E. 5th & 6th STs), Manhattan, 212.254.0850; and Monday at Edi & the Wolf, 102 Avenue C (btw E. 6th & 7th STs), Manhattan. Call Tinto Fino at 212.254.0850 to reserve your dinner seats.

Legendary Rioja winemaker Basilio Izquierdo will be in New York this coming Sunday & Monday to present his wines in two compelling events. Basilio was winemaker at CVNE for 32 years, having made some of Spain’s greatest and most ageworthy wines going back to the 1970s. Now he’s here with his own superlative wines, culminating in a delectable wine dinner featuring his wines and rare vintage Rioja matched with the cuisine of chef Eduard Frauneder, a recent Iron Chef America winner!

Interior of acclaimed chef Eduard Frauneder’s Edi & the Wolf Restaurant

The Tasting — Sunday, 12/9, 4-7pm @ Tinto Fino
Join Basilio this Sunday afternoon in the East Village for a free tasting of his “B de Basilio” 2010 White and “B de Basilio” 2007 Red. His ageworthy (and gift-worthy) wines will be the star attraction, joined by a mix of other Rioja selections to provide a window on Rioja’s diversity, quality and value — thanks to the support of Vibrant Rioja. Basilio will be signing bottles, which really do make great gifts for the wine lovers in your life …including yourself!

The Dinner — Monday, 12/10, 7:30pm @ Edi & the Wolf
Together with our merchant partner Tinto Fino and Chef Eduard Frauneder of Edi & the Wolf we have put together a fantastic evening of food, wine and merriment in the East Village. Chef Frauneder helms Edi & the Wolf, and his accolades include being Austria’s youngest Michelin starred chef, along with his recent Iron Chef America victory.

Basilio Izquierdo signing a bottle of his B de Basilio.

Acclaimed chef Eduard Frauneder of Edi & the Wolf.

Chef Frauneder’s outstanding, rustic Austrian fare has been specially selected to pair with the evening’s wines. To make sure this event is a knockout, we will also be offering a sneak preview of Basilio’s new Acodo wines—launching next year—and to top it all off two grand old Riojas, a 1964 and a 1970. Call Tinto Fino @ 212.254.0850 to secure your space as seating is limited. $95/person (tax and gratuity included).

T H E  M E N U

Welcome Copita
Equipo Navazos “I Think” Manzanilla Sherry
A rich, harmonious and complex unfiltered Manzanilla.

Autumn Salad
Roasted Pears, Hazelnuts, Arugula, Turnips, Boucheron, Cider/Sherry Vinaigrette
Basilio Izquierdo “Acodo” Blanco 2010 Rioja
A preview of Basilio’s new white: young, fresh and layered.

Alsatian Flatbread
Leeks, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Camembert Cheese, Roasted Garlic, Herbs
Basilio Izquierdo “B de Basilio” Blanco 2009 Rioja
A wonderfully oak kissed old vine blend that is round, supple and bursting with character.
Castrijo 1964 Rioja Gran Reserva
A superfine example of classic Rioja from an epic vintage.

Pork Belly
House Cured Heritage Pig, Apples, Horseradish, Mustard
Basilio Izquierdo “Acodo” Tinto 2009 Rioja
A preview of Basilio’s new red—juicy, bright and flavor rich to cut through all the pork belly richness.

Duck Two Ways
Long Island Duck, Butternut Squash, Black Trumpets, Cranberries
Basilio Izquierdo “B de Basilio” Red 2007 Rioja
The perfect expression of Basilio’s supple yet powerful style;
an incomparable blend of silky pure fruit and ageworthy structure.

Cheese
Selection of Cheeses, Onion Jam, Lingonberries, Pumpkinseeds
Franco-Españolas “Royal Tete de Cuvée” 1970 Rioja Gran Reserva
Age, beauty and grace played out in strawberry and cigar.
End the night with this mature classic lingering on your palate.

We hope to see you this Sunday at Tinto Fino, 85 1st AVE (btw E. 5th & 6th STs), Manhattan, 212.254.0850; and Monday at Edi & the Wolf, 102 Avenue C (btw E. 6th & 7th STs), Manhattan. Call Tinto Fino at 212.254.0850 to reserve your dinner seats.

Join us this Saturday afternoon, November 10, 4-7pm, for a free tasting at Tinto Fino in the East Village. We’ll be offering an antidote to the challenge of finding the right wines to pair with Thanksgiving fare: Three wines from Lazarus Wine, made with the help of blind winemakers, that are ideal for the varied flavors of Thanksgiving.

The award-winning Braille label design of Lazarus "Green Label" 2010, one of Spain’s finest Viogniers.

The line-up includes one white, Lazarus “Green Label” 2010, a fragrant and captivating Spanish Viognier with just enough barrel aging to create the weight and richness needed to add an extra dimension to your roast turkey, savory stuffing and sweet potatoes.

On the red side Lazarus “Orange Label” 2007 is a fruit packed and crowd-pleasing barrel-aged red that offers a perfect raspberry counterpoint to turkey with all the trimmings, and will meld beautifully with tangy cranberry sauce.

For those looking for a more classic Cabernet Sauvignon profile and more body Lazarus “Black Label” 2005 offers deeper richness and the added complexity and smoothness of greater time in bottle. We welcome you to come by and try for yourself!

If you will be joining someone else’s holiday table, each of these exceptional wines will make an outstanding gift and accompaniment to your host’s grand feast. Not to mention great conversation pieces with their award winning Braille label design, and the story of how blind winemakers are trained in Sensorial Winemaking and integral to the creation of these special wines.

Click Here for more on Lazarus Wine and the fascinating way it is made.

We hope to see you this Saturday at Tinto Fino! 85 1st AVE, (btw E. 5th & 6th STs) Manhattan; 212.254.0850.

Head-on shrimp, not always easy to find here in the US, are one of the showcase ingredients in this indulgent gourmet evening. They are well worth seeking out for their extra rich flavor. Photo: Justin Berlin © 2012 Spanish Wine Exclusives

Don’t miss out on this luxe five course dinner specially chosen to pair with seven Spanish Wine Exclusives wines tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct 16, at 7:30pm. There are still seats left!

To present this convivial event we have teamed up with Tinto Fino, one of our exclusive retail partners, and Corkbuzz Wine Studio, a vibrant and wine-centric bar, restaurant and wine education center in Greenwich Village.

Kerin Auth, owner of Tinto Fino, and Justin Berlin, Co-founder of Spanish Wine Exclusives, will host, and introduce the wines and compelling cuisine of chef Hayan Yi. Corkbuzz is at 13 E. 13th Street (btw University PL & Bway).

Space is limited, so make your reservation today at Corkbuzz.com. The evening is $100 per person, all inclusive.

The Menu and Pairings:

Calamari, oysters and fried pig ears
Equipo Navazos “I Think” Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Head-on shrimp, spicy sweet potato purée, warm chorizo vinaigrette
Castro de Lobarzán Blanco ’10 – Monterrei
B de Basilio Blanco ’09 – Rioja

Apple and pork belly salad, kale, spicy mustard seed dressing
Estrela ’11 – Ribeira Sacra

Lamb three ways, Brussels sprouts, confited potatoes
Lazarus “Orange Label” ’07 – Ribera del Gállego
B de Basilio Tinto ’07 – Rioja

Warm fig and plum pudding
Vinyes d’Olivardots “Gresa Expressió” ’07 – Empordá

Reserve your seats now @ Corkbuzz.com. We look forward to seeing you there!