Just about the only thing getting me through this period of self-isolation is knowing that I have virtual wine nights to look forward to. The idea came to me a couple of weeks ago as I tried to find creative ways to pass the time indoors and has since blossomed into a virtual wine club of sorts. The wine club part isn’t new to me (I’ve had one for over a decade), but I wasn’t sure if I could swing a virtual version. But these times call for some out-of-the-box ideas so I gave it a try and am happy to report that they’ve been a resounding success. In fact, they’ve been such a hit that I’ve introduced a new spin: themed virtual wine nights.
You see, since taste, smell & music can be incredibly powerful, I’ve decided to take us on virtual trips to some of my fave destinations to help lift our spirits. First up: Spain. Why? Because just like Spaniards themselves, Wines from Spain are approachable, fun, and filled with personality. Olé!
How To Host Themed Virtual Wine Nights
1. Choose The Wine For Virtual Wine Night
We start off with the most important component of any wine night (virtual or not): the wine! Since we all have a bit of time on our hands, I encourage you to get to know the wine regions and winemakers in Spain. This site is a great resource to learn about the different varieties. I personally love the tempranillo grape which is very aromatic.
To help me narrow down a few bottles of Spanish wine for my upcoming virtual wine nights, I went to one of my fave wine experts: Angela Aiello (aka @superwinegirl).
“You can’t help but love Spanish wines. To me, they offer the perfect combination of elegance, value and superb great taste. All of these wines are worth buying more than one bottle – one for you and one to share, or one to add to your collection.”
Here are the three Spanish wines she recommended to me:
1. Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva
Her two cents: Marques de Riscal is an iconic estate in the Rioja. The winery named “The City of Wine” is one of Spain’s most prized pieces of architecture. The Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva is smooth, delicate and delicious. It is a 2015, so it has the balance of both youth and age in its aromas and tastes. The iconic gold cage makes it forever memorable and it’s taste is one you can’t help but fall for. The grape is tempranillo, the hero red grape of Rioja.
My two cents: I’ve always been a fan of wines from the Rioja region, but man, this Tempranillo is pretty damn special. Smooth, a bit spicy and a really elegant wine. Love the plum and dark berry flavours.
2. Monasterio de las Viñas Reserva Garnacha/Tempranillo/Cariñena 2014
Her two cents: This wonderful Spanish red blend, comes from ancient old vines, that they would call “wild” or “bush”vines. This wine is one of Spain’s hidden secrets and over-performs for the price point. Wild berry fruit and purple flower aromas complimented with a thorough elegant structure and desirable tannins.
My two cents: Snag a few bottles of this wine. Drink one now, cellar some for later (if you can resist the urge to drink them) because I think it’s going to be even more amazing in a few years. It has a nice medium body an is a really approachable wine.
3. Honoro Vera Blanco Rueda DO
Her two cents: Rueda (pronounced ROO-EH -DUH) is a small region in Spain known for one type of white grape variety called Verdejo (pronounced VER- DAY-OH). The wines have a similar taste and profile to an unoaked chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. They are fresh, crisp and lively wines that stretch your brain to learn a new region and grape, with a bit of comfort to back them up.
My two cents: This is such an easy-drinking wine (perhaps a bit too easy-drinking lol)! It’s fresh, light and has beaut citrus and peach flavours. It’s a wine that I think everyone in your virtual wine club will enjoy. If you have a patio/backyard, consider popping outside for a virtual patio wine night with this bottle. Close your eyes and imagine yourself on a beach somewhere in Spain…ahhhhh…
2. Whip Up Some Food For Virtual Wine Night
Take the time to prep a few treats to pair with your wines during virtual wine night. Not only will it enhance the flavours of the wines, but it will also help transport you to the destination. Spanish night calls for pintxos (snacks from Basque country that are often held together with a cocktail stick/skewer or served on a small piece of bread) so I made a small little dish for me, myself and I…
If you’re looking for some alternative food pairings beyond Spanish cuisine, here’s what Angela recommends with each wines listed above:
- Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva – Pair with it an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board, a homemade beef stew or pot roast, or a perfectly grilled sirloin steak dinner.
- Monasterio de las Viñas Reserva Garnacha/Tempranillo/Cariñena 2014 – Pair this bottle with grilled bison, gently marinated ribs and even your favourite pizza.
- Honoro Vera Blanco Rueda DO – Perfect with sushi, baked fish and cheese, this wine will give you an adventure of taste without ever having you leave your kitchen.
3. Turn On The Music For Virtual Wine Night
There should obvi be some music involved. Thankfully YouTube has an endless bank of music to choose from so press play and fully immerse yourself in the culture. For our Spanish virtual wine night I chose this Flamenco & Traditional Music playlist…
4. Tap Into The Technology For Virtual Wine Night
How you connect virtually with your friends/family during virtual wine nights is really up to you: some people prefer WhatsApp video calls or FaceTime, but if you have a large group Zoom may be the best option (it’s a FREE video conferencing service that’s great for multiple users). Whatever you choose, I highly recommend selecting a video option — face-to-face conversations always make us feel more connected.
5. Step Up Your Virtual Wine Night
While there’s no need to get fancy, I encourage you to get creative with your themed nights. You can dress up, have a bit of festive decor around, play some trivia about the wine regions (ex: what is the most widely grown grape in Spain?!) and even learn a bit about local etiquette, like how to say cheers. Salud!
A huge thanks to Wines From Spain for sponsoring this post so I can share my virtual wine night tips with you. Hope you’re able to grab a few bottles and host a few of your own virtual wine night with a Spanish theme!
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