Madrid Wine Tasting Masterclass: From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean

Tucked into a quiet street in Madrid’s bustling neighborhoods of Chueca and Justicia, you will find Reserva y Cata. This charming family-run wine shop has an incredible selection of Spanish wines. Founded in 1997 by owner Ezequiel Sanchez-Mateos, you can feel his curiosity, passion, and positivity the moment you step inside. His collection of incredible vintages, rare bottles, and curated array encapsulates the esteemed tradition and exciting modernity of Spanish wine.

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Alongside being a great wine shop to pick up some bottles in Madrid, Ezequiel hosts a Madrid Wine Tasting Masterclass in the shop. This exclusive and intimate private tasting explores the different regions of Spain while tasting some serious bottles. 

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Background & Expertise in Wine

Ezequiel grew up surrounded by vineyards in La Mancha. His father’s side of the family made wine, and he fondly remembers (and idealizes) the harvest seasons from when he was younger. The work in the vineyard, the happiness of everyone singing while picking the grapes, the unique scent of fermenting wine, and the grape must in the cellar. Of course, now, as an adult, he admits it’s a lot of hard work. Yet, the passion and feeling remain. This passion and bond with his family eventually led him to leave his job in finance in the late 1990s to start a new career in wine, opening up Reserva y Cata. 

He also had a strong desire to do something for Spanish wine. Ezequiel realized that wines from Spain were often underrepresented compared to France, Italy, and many other countries. He thinks there is a real imbalance or mismatch. While Spain has incredible vineyards and wineries, the country doesn’t do a good job explaining what it has. However, Ezequiel also sees this as an opportunity. Especially in his tastings with visitors to Spain, he shows them the depth of Spanish wine. 

The Masterclass Setting, Atmosphere, and why Madrid is a Great Wine City

Ezequiel describes his Masterclass at Reserva y Cata as completely intimate. He and his wife, Carolina, close the doors to the shop, making it “an extension of our home.” They offer their guests the opportunity to gather around the table and share delicious Spanish tapas and products. This is alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of wines with detailed explanations, anecdotes, history, and information. Oftentimes, as the afternoon winds down, the tastings naturally evolve into ‘sobremesa,’ the Spanish tradition of lingering around the table and talking despite having finished the meal. Guests discuss topics like philosophy, history, politics, and their families. Ezequiel notices that the same people interested in wine are generally inquisitive. They want to learn more, and the wine itself also opens people up to these conversations. Though he does joke sometimes, he has to “arrange plans” afterward so that he doesn’t get sucked into the shop all night. 

When it is finally time to leave, you step out into the vibrant neighborhood of Justicia. It gets its name from the Supreme Court building just outside, built by King Fernando VI. The neighborhood was developed in the 16th century and has a fascinating history that Ezequiel tells me about. We marvel at the neighborhood’s 19th-century architecture, which captures a moment of the past in Madrid. It’s filled with wonderful restaurants ranging from casual tapas bars to high-end, gastronomic restaurants. Perfect if you’re still yearning for a bite post-tasting.

Ezequiel comments on why Madrid is such a great city to explore as a wine destination:

“It has everything. It’s well connected, the gastronomic offering is exceptional. Especially for the price when compared to other countries. Because Madrid is so well connected you have a wide range of wines and wine styles. These are completely different from all over the country.” 

Unique Aspects of the Masterclass

Macro-Climate Strategy

The Masterclass is designed as a “snapshot in a session” or an engaging “first introduction” to Spanish wines. However, it can feel overwhelming because Spain has many varied climates, regions, and grape varieties. This is why Ezequiel divided the country into three macroclimates: the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Central Plateau.

He showcases different wines from each region. He dives into the lush, greener area of the Atlantic with its crisp and precise wines with acidity. The Mediterranean produces textured wines with its dry, pre-desert climate and coastal influence. Finally, the Central Plateau is home to the iconic Ribera del Duero and La Rioja, which have intense temperature contrasts and poor soils.

While Ezequiel knows he cannot make anyone a Spanish wine expert in just 3 hours, his goal is to introduce wines from these regions. He aims to showcase the variety and hopefully hook guests into learning more about their favored wine region. 

Variety

Along with the wines from the macro-climates, sparkling and fortified wines like Jerez’s sherry are also included. Ezequiel makes sure to tailor the wines selected to the group’s interests, tastes, and expertise. This makes for a unique experience. If you have plans to visit any wine region, he will try to choose other examples so there is no repetition. He also puts a lot of effort into selecting a variety of bottles that showcase Spain’s long-honored tradition. He highlights producers pushing the wine scene forward with modern techniques. As for the quality of the bottles, they are all quite high-end and, at times, exclusive and difficult to find. For example, a special vintage of Artadi from La Rioja. Reserva y Cata has some bottles from the final vintage of a vineyard plot that was unfortunately ripped out. 

Takeaways

Because each Masterclass is exclusively tailored to the customer, there is so much you can learn. This is true whether you are new to Spanish wine or a connoisseur. You can expect to leave with a much better understanding of the country’s regions. Also, you will gain new inspiration to dive deeper into them while tasting various unique bottles from high-end classic wineries and smaller boutique producers. The same goes for the experts. Ezequiel goes above and beyond to showcase the lesser-known wines of Spain, diving into exceptional vintages, up-and-coming producers, and creative projects.

Wine & Food Pairing – The Spanish Tapas Experience

And let’s not forget about the food, which is an integral part of wine tasting in Spain. When asked about his food and wine pairings philosophy, Ezequiel says, “Less is more.” The raw ingredients in Spain are so incredible; the cheese, olive oil, jamón ibérico, and tomatoes that you do not have to do much. It’s about good food and not being pretentious. You will find the offerings at the Masterclass a perfect accompaniment to the wines selected in a very natural way. His favorite pairing is his mother-in-law’s Gazpacho, which has a touch of cumin, the secret ingredient. It pairs with a fino sherry, which can be an unexpected pairing for many outside of Spain but offers a delicate balance of flavors.

When asked if any emerging Spanish winemakers or trends excite him at the moment, Ezequiel responded:

“Ricard Foraster is a third-generation winemaker and the president of the Conca de Barberá designation of origin. He owns a winery and has been the driving force in the area for the Trepat grape, turning it into the DO’s flagship grape. He makes very honest wines with minimal intervention.“

Ezequiel’s Masterclass Wine Recommendations:

Birlibirloque by Anónimas Viticultoras, Galicia. – Albariño aged in Palo Cortado botas, an exotic mix of salinity.

Tabatiere by Bodegas Serdio, Jerez. – Only 1,358 bottles have been produced, concentrating on the essence of the Palomino fino grape and the region’s albariza soils. 

La Guía by Aurelio García, Ribera del Duero.- The ‘fresh face’ of Ribera del Duero

Acusp by Casteld’Encusus, Costers del Segre. – Fermented in stone lagares from the 17th century in the shadow of the Pyrenees mountains. 

B de Basilio by Bodega Basilio Izquierdo, Rioja. – A personal project from a legend of La Rioja

Arroba Pintaillo by Bodega Gratias, Manchuela. – A delicate and subtle variety, beautifully revived, that perfectly embodies the Mediterranean spirit.

Dominio del Cuco by Centum Cadus, Ribera del Duero. – A powerful tempranillo, precise and elegant like the lines of a monastery in the area. 

Julieta Trepat by Mas Foraster, Conca de Barberá. – The refreshing grape by the sea protected by the mountain.

La Brisa by Cume do Avia, Galicia. – A wine with nerve and sensations from the Atlantic undergrowth

OE Garnacha by Ortega Ezquerro, Rioja. – An elegant Garnacha from high elevation and rocky soils.

The Exclusive Experience – VIP Appeal

This Masterclass is a unique experience that is not one to be missed. Finding a private tasting with such personalization, exclusive bottles, variety, and intimacy is rare. If you are new to Spanish wine, it is the perfect introduction. It breaks down the country into its macro-climates and presents them in an approachable and unpretentious way. It does so without feeling basic or lacking quality. If you are a wine expert, this is also the experience for you. As Ezequiel has mentioned, many clientele with serious knowledge have passed through his doors. They constantly learn or taste something new from his collection of rare bottles, exceptional vintages, or keen finds of small boutique producers with wines you can’t find outside of Spain. There could be no better way for a wine lover to spend an afternoon in Madrid than enjoying a Masterclass with Ezequiel and his lovely wife, Carolina.