Natural Wine Fair, Madrid

Yesterday, Monday 7th June there was a little Natural Wine Fair here in Madrid.

My table and my wares

Only 6 producers were there, which on the one hand is quite sad considering how much wine is produced in Spain (and also considering how much organic and/or natural wine is produced in Spain!). But on the other hand, as it was such a small and intimate gathering, we had the chance to actually talk at length to the people who came to taste our wines, as opposed to just non-stop pouring and parrot-like repeating of the data!

Petit Salón de Cata

I don’t think I’ve ever drunk and talked so much wine for such an extended length of time: from 10:00 in the morning to 22:00 at night. My feet are still sore! (from standing up and maybe sitting for a total of 15 mins throughout the day!).

The 6 producers:
- Samuel Cano (Patio)
- Alfredo Maestro
- Jordi San Feliu
- Josep Garriga
- Bruno Ruiz
- and me! 

The Organizer:
- Malena (Observatorio del Vino)

2 wine shops who were involved in the event:
- Carlos (La Cave du Petit)
- Delia (La Fisna) 

Wine bloggers:
- Nacho Bueno 
- Fermín

And here’s the link to a video I took with my mobile: Video Petit Comite Madrid 

Here’s a thing:

While chatting to Alfredo Maestro (he was at the table next to mine) we decided to get together next year and make an experimental batch of champagne (or cava or spumante or sparking wine!). This is something that’s been at the back of my mind for years, but have never been able to do because 1) I don’t have the equipment and 2) I don’t have the knowledge! But I do have the grapes – and Alfredo, being an experienced taster (unlike myself), says that my young white (100% Airén) has the qualities required to make a good champagne!!! Well, we’ll just have to wait and see 

And here’s another thing:

We’ve been wanting to plant/graft new vines for years, but never had the time to plan it properly, but finally all the pieces are beginning to come together. Firstly, we had to decide on a variety, but we didn’t know which one to plant. We knew that we wanted to plant an autochthonous, native, local variety (as opposed to an ‘international’ commercial variety, but we’ve had no time to research into it. Then a few weeks ago, talking to an old (and retired) grape-grower, he mentioned a variety called Torronés, which he said used to be grown around Madrid, but which has now all but disappeared. One piece falls into place. Then another piece fell into place, as yesterday I met a man who works at IMIDRA (a body run by the Madrid Regional Government that has over 2,500 grape varieties under cultivation!!!!) and who seemed keen to work together on a planting project! Again, we’ll just have to wait and see!

And lastly, the anecdote of the day:

After packing up and leaving the building (at about 23:00) we all decided to go for a drink! There were about 10 of us (some producers and others who had been there all day). So we sat down at a ‘terraza’ (pavement café/bar), the waiter came, and … every single person ordered beer!!!