Barcelona is preparing for the fourth edition of Barcelona Wine Week (BWW), which will host 952 wineries from seventy protected designations of origin, which will showcase their best products from the Spanish wine market.
For the fourth year, the event is consolidating its international standing, bringing together the excellence of the wine world in the Catalan capital. Barcelona Wine Week brings together, from 5 to 7 February at Fira de Barcelona‘s Montjuic exhibition centre, wineries by Designation of Origin, the most renowned brands and micro-winery projects. All of this is divided into three main areas, with a detailed programme that will include 70 presentations, as well as tastings led by more than 160 experts.
The sessions will be led by critics, sommeliers and masters of wine who will analyse the current state of wine. They will discuss the possible challenges to be overcome, as well as all the opportunities that should not be missed. On an international level, many professionals from the wine sector do not want to miss the opportunity to experience the event in person. For this reason, BWW will be attended by experts from around the world, from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada, among others.
The Bodegas Cano space, originally from Castilla La Mancha.
Some of the sessions that we can highlight will be those of the British critic Tim Atkin, who will show his first report on the best wines produced in Catalonia. Almudena Alberca, the only Spanish woman with the title of Master of Wine, and the last three winners of Millor Sommelier d’Espanya will also be present.
In search of the most sustainable wine
Under the slogan Containers for wine production and ageing: reuse and innovation, during the days of the fair they will explore the use of containers such as earthenware jars, old dry stone vats or amphorae that allow the result of the wine to be totally pure. This year, leading brands such as Freixenet, La Rioja Alta and Juvé & Camps will once again be present, as well as small and medium-sized wineries. Representing Catalan wine, 299 companies will be taking part, 11% more than last year.
Space dedicated to Juvé & Camps wines at Barcelona Wine Week
In addition to the tastings and presentations, sustainability and artificial intelligence will also play an important role in the BWWHub, where the latest trends and the use of digitalisation in the wine world will be discussed. On the one hand, topics such as AI in exporting to the United States will be discussed with ICEX. In terms of ecological methods, there will be a debate on how to reduce the carbon footprint, highlighting the wineries Masaveu, Arizcuren and Mar de Frades, which have implemented their measures to adapt to climate change.
Majestic Hotel & SPA is one of the hotels participating in Hotel Wine Fest.
For the same dates, the wine festival is not only limited to Barcelona Wine Week. The whole city is joining in with BWW Likes The City!, with more than 20 restaurants, bars and wine bars offering paired menus and tapas. In addition, various cultural spaces, such as the Llibreria Ona, the Macba or the Reial Cercle Artístic, will join the experience. On the other hand, this year they have added Hotel Wine Fest, with three routes through iconic hotels in Barcelona that will offer special tastings and pairings.
Barcelona immerses itself in wine luxury
The first edition of Hotel Wine Fest began on 2 February, fusing the wine excellence of five Designations of Origin participating in BWW: DO Cava, DO Penedès, DO Jumilla, DO Yecla and DO Bullas. Nine hotel gems in the Catalan capital are taking part in the event made up of three routes that highlight the essence of each wine region. From the aromatic complexity of sparkling wine on the DO Cava Route, the selection of Mediterranean wines on the DO Penedès Route and the palette of flavours on the Region of Murcia Wine Route.
Three of the five Denominations of Origin: DO Bullas, DO Jumilla and Do Yecla.
Each of the participating hotels offers a tasting of five different wines, with the option of accompanying them with tapas and dishes. This service is priced at €8 (with a glass of wine/chardonnay included) with no need to book. Tasting menus can also be booked at an average price of €50 (including wine pairing) through the festival’s website. In addition, they compete for the Best Pairing, while the public can enter the draw for a night and tasting menu at the Palace Barcelona hotel by voting through the app.
Images provided by the brands mentioned above.
