Tag Archive for: Spain

13 Michelin Star Restaurants 2016 – Andalucia, Spain

Over 170 Michelin starred restaurants in all of Spain for 2016!!! The New Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 offers Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain from North to South and from East to West.

So, wherever you are headed in the country you’ll find Michelin Starred dining that can be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

We’re breaking the list down into autonomous communities for you so that you’ve got a handy reference for the area that you are going to !!

In Andalucia you will find 13 Michelin Starred Restaurants – 2 of which are Michelin Two Star Restaurants and 11 Michelin One Star Restaurants (there are currently No Michelin Three Star Restaurants in Andalucia):

Dani Garcia dish

13 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN ANDALUCIA, SPAIN

El Puerto de Santa María  – Aponiente **
Marbella  – Dani García **
Casares –  Kabuki Raw * NEW
Córdoba –  Choco *
El Ejido – La Costa *
Fuengirola –  Sollo * NEW
Huelva –  Acanthum * NEW
Málaga  – José Carlos García *
Marbella –  El Lago *
Marbella – Messina * NEW
Marbella – Skina *
Roquetas de Mar – Alejandro *
Sevilla – Abantal *

Aponiente

More Michelin Starred Restaurants 2016 reading:

50 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Spain

20 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Basque Country, Spain

17 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Community of Madrid, Spain

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

17 Michelin Star Restaurants 2016 – Community of Madrid, Spain

Over 170 Michelin starred restaurants in all of Spain for 2016!!! The recently presented New Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 offers Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain from North to South or from East to West.

So, wherever you are headed in the country  you’ll find Michelin dining that can be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

We’re breaking the list down into autonomous communities over the coming days so you’ve got a handy reference for the area that you are going to !!

In the autonomous Community of Madrid you will find a great 17 Michelin Starred Restaurants – 1 of which is a Michelin Three Star Restaurant, 6 Michelin Two Star Restaurants and 10 Michelin One Star Restaurants:

David Muñoz

17 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID, SPAIN

Madrid  – DiverXO ***
Humanes de Madrid  – Coque ** NEW (2nd Star)
Madrid – El Club Allard **
Madrid – Ramón Freixa Madrid **
Madrid  – Santceloni **
Madrid  – Sergi Arola ** UPDATE: CLOSED in September 2016
Madrid – La Terraza del Casino **
Aranjuez – Casa José *
Madrid – Álbora *
Madrid – La Cabra *
Madrid  – DSTAgE *
Madrid  – Kabuki *
Madrid  – Kabuki Wellington *
Madrid  – Lúa * NEW
Madrid  – Punto MX *
San Lorenzo de El Escorial  – Montia *
Valdemoro  – Chirón *

CLUB ALLARD

More Michelin Starred Restaurants 2016 reading:

50 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Spain

20 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Basque Country, Spain

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

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COMPLETE FULL LIST -MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 2016

Guia Michelin Spain Portugal 2016The NEW Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was presented from Santiago de Compostela on November 25th. There are no new Michelin 3 star restaurants for 2016.

In Spain 2 restaurants were promoted to Michelin 2 Star status and 14 restaurants were awarded with a Michelin 1 star.

In Portugal just 1 restaurant was awarded a Michelin 1 star.

 

 

 

 

Here is the COMPLETE FULL LIST OF MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 2016:

Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

  • Akelare (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Arzak (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Azurmendi (Larrabetzu – Vizcaya)
  • DiverXO (Madrid)
  • El Celler de Can Roca (Girona)
  • Martín Berasategui (Lasarte – Oria – Guipúzcoa)
  • Quique Dacosta (Dénia – Alicante)
  • Sant Pau (Sant Pol de Mar – Barcelona)

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

  • Àbac  (Barcelona)
  • Aponiente  (El Puerto de Santa María – Cádiz)
  • Atrio  (Cáceres)
  • Casa Marcial  (Arriondas)
  • Coque (Humanes  – Madrid) NEW
  • Dani García (Marbella – Málaga)
  • El Club Allard  (Madrid)
  • El Portal (Ezcaray – La Rioja)
  • Enoteca (Barcelona)
  • La Terraza del Casino  (Madrid)
  • Lasarte  (Barcelona)
  • Les Cols  (Olot – Girona)
  • M.B. de Martín Berasategui (Tenerife / Guía de Isora)
  • Miramar  (Llançà – Girona)
  • Moments (Barcelona)
  • Mugaritz (Errenteria – Guipúzcoa)
  • Ramón Freixa  (Madrid)
  • Santceloni  (Madrid)
  • Sergi Arola  (Madrid) UPDATE: CLOSED in September 2016
  • Zaranda (Es Capdellà – Mallorca) NEW

 

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

Andalucía

  • Abantal (Sevilla)
  • Acanthum (Huelva) NEW
  • Alejandro (Roquetas de Mar)
  • Choco (Córdoba)
  • El Lago (Marbella)
  • José Carlos García (Málaga)
  • Kabuki Raw del Hotel Finca Cortesin (Casares) NEW
  • La Costa (El Ejido)
  • Messina (Marbella) NEW
  • Skina (Marbella)
  • Sollo (Fuengirola) NEW

 

Aragón

  • Hospedería El Batán (Tramacastilla)
  • La Prensa (Zaragoza)
  • Las Torres (Huesca)
  • Lillas Pastia (Huesca)
  • Tatau Bistro (Huesca)

 

Asturias

  • Arbidel (Ribadesella)
  • Auga (Gijón)
  • Casa Gerardo (Prendes)
  • El Corral del Indianu (Arriondas)
  • El Retiro (Llanes / Pancar)
  • La Salgar (Gijón)
  • Real Balneario (Salinas)

 

Baleares (Islas)

  • Andreu Genestra (Mallorca / Capdepera)
  • Can Dani (Formentera / Sant Ferrán de ses Roques)
  • Es Fum (Mallorca / Palmanova)
  • Es Molí d’En Bou (Mallorca / Sa Coma)
  • Es Racó d’Es Tix (Mallorca / Deià)
  • Jardín (Mallorca / Port d’Alcudia)
  • Simply Fosh (Mallorca / Palma)

 

Canarias (Islas)

  • El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Los Gigantes / Tenerife) NEW
  • Kabuki (Tenerife / Guía de Isora)
  • Kazan (Tenerife / Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

 

Cantabria

  • Annua (San Vicente de la Barquera)
  • Cenador de Amós (Villaverde de Pontones)
  • El Nuevo Molino (Puente Arce)
  • El Serbal (Santander)
  • Solana (Ampuero / La Bien Aparecida)

 

Castilla-La Mancha

  • El Bohío (Illescas)
  • El Carmen de Montesión (Toledo)
  • Las Rejas (Las Pedroñeras)
  • Maralba (Almansa)
  • Tierra (Torrico / Valdepalacios)

 

Castilla y León

  • Cocinandos (León)
  • El Ermitaño (Benavente, Zamora) NEW
  • La Botica (Matapozuelos)
  • La Lobita (Navaleno)
  • Refectorio (Sardón de Duero)
  • Víctor Gutiérrez (Salamanca)
  • Villena (Segovia) NEW

 

Cataluña

  • Alkimia (Barcelona)
  • Angle (Barcelona)
  • Bo.Tic (Corçà)
  • Ca l’Enric (La Vall de Bianya)
  • Caelis (Barcelona)
  • Can Bosch (Cambrils)
  • Can Jubany (Calldetenes)
  • Capritx (Terrassa)
  • Casamar (Llafranc)
  • Cinc Sentits (Barcelona)
  • Disfrutar (Barcelona) NEW
  • Dos Cielos (Barcelona)
  • Dos Palillos (Barcelona)
  • Els Brancs (Roses / Playa de Canyelles Petites)
  • Els Casals (Sagàs)
  • Els Tinars (Llagostera)
  • Emporium (Castelló d’Empúries) NEW
  • Estany Clar (Cercs)
  • Fogony (Sort)
  • Gaig (Barcelona)
  • Hisop (Barcelona)
  • Hofmann (Barcelona)
  • Hoja Santa (Barcelona) NEW
  • Koy Shunka (Barcelona)
  • L’Ó (Sant Fruitós de Bages)
  • La Cuina de Can Simon (Tossa de Mar)
  • La Fonda Xesc (Gombrèn)
  • Les Magnòlies (Arbúcies)
  • Les Moles (Ulldecona)
  • Lluerna (Santa Coloma de Gramenet)
  • Malena (Gimenells)
  • Massana (Girona)
  • Nectari (Barcelona)
  • Pakta (Barcelona)
  • Rincón de Diego (Cambrils)
  • Roca Moo (Barcelona)
  • Sala (Olost)
  • Saüc (Barcelona)
  • Tickets (Barcelona)
  • Tresmacarrons (El Masnou – Barcelona) NEW
  • Vía Veneto (Barcelona)
  • Villa Retiro (Xerta)

 

Galicia

  • A Estación (Cambre)
  • Alborada (A Coruña)
  • Árbore da Veira (A Coruña)
  • As Garzas (Malpica de Bergantiños / Porto Barizo)
  • Casa Marcelo (Santiago de Compostela) NEW
  • Culler de Pau (O Grove / Reboredo)
  • Maruja Limón (Vigo)
  • Nova (Ourense)
  • Pepe Vieira (Raxo)
  • Retiro da Costiña (Santa Comba)
  • Silabario (Tui)
  • Solla (Pontevedra / San Salvador de Poio)
  • Yayo Daporta (Cambados)

 

Madrid (Comunidad)

  • Álbora (Madrid)
  • Casa José (Aranjuez)
  • Chirón (Valdemoro)
  • DSTAgE (Madrid)
  • Kabuki (Madrid)
  • Kabuki Wellington (Madrid)
  • La Cabra (Madrid)
  • Lúa (Madrid)  NEW
  • Montia (San Lorenzo de El Escorial)
  • Punto MX (Madrid)

 

Murcia (Región)

  • La Cabaña de la Finca Buenavista (Murcia / El Palmar)

 

Navarra

  • El Molino de Urdániz (Urdaitz)
  • Europa (Iruña)
  • Rodero (Iruña)

 

País Vasco

  • Alameda (Hondarribia)
  • Andra Mari (Galdakao)
  • Boroa (Amorebieta / Boroa)
  • Elkano (Getaria)
  • Etxanobe (Bilbao)
  • Etxebarri (Axpe)
  • Kokotxa (Donostia)
  • Marqués de Riscal (Elciego)
  • Mina (Bilbao)
  • Mirador de Ulía (Donostia)
  • Nerua (Bilbao)
  • Zaldiarán (Vitoria)
  • Zarate (Bilbao) NEW
  • Zortziko (Bilbao)
  • Zuberoa (Oiartzun)

 

La Rioja

  • Venta Moncalvillo (Daroca de Rioja)

 

Valencia (Comunidad)

  • BonAmb (Xàbia)
  • Cal Paradís (Vall d’Alba)
  • Casa Manolo (Daimús)
  • Casa Pepa (Ondara)
  • El Poblet (Valencia)
  • L’Escaleta (Cocentaina)
  • La Finca (Elche)
  • La Sucursal (Valencia)
  • Monastrell (Alicante)
  • Ricard Camarena (Valencia)
  • Riff (Valencia)

 

Spanish restaurants that LOST THEIR MICHELIN ONE STAR STATUS

  • Aizian (Bilbao)
  • Ca L’ Arpa (Banyoles, Girona)
  • Casa Alfonso (Dehesa de Campoamor, Alicante)
  • Comerç 24 (Barcelona) – due to closure
  • La Casa del Carmen (Olías del Rey, Toledo)
  • Manairó (Barcelona)
  • Miramón Arbelaitz (San Sebastián) – due to closure
  • Neichel (Barcelona) – due to closure
  • Vertical (H.C. Aqua 4) (Valencia)

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Belcanto (Lisboa)
  • Ocean (Armação de Pêra)
  • Vila Joya (Albufeira)

 

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Bon Bon (Carvoeiro – Faro)  NEW
  • Casa da Calçada (Amarante)
  • Eleven (Lisboa)
  • Feitoria (Lisboa)
  • Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais)
  • Henrique Leis (Almancil)
  • Il Gallo d’Oro (Funchal)
  • Pedro Lemos (Porto)
  • São Gabriel (Almancil)
  • Willie’s (Vilamoura)
  • Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia)

 

Portuguese Restaurant that LOST ITS MICHELIN ONE STAR STATUS:

  • L’And Vineyards (Montemor-o-Novo)

 

Resuming:

Spain received NO NEW Michelin 3 Star restaurant for 2016, but did gain TWO NEW Michelin 2 Star restaurants. 14 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants were presented for the 2016 Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal but 9 Michelin 1 Star restaurants from 2015 LOST their Michelin Star Status.

Portugal still has NO Michelin 3 star Restaurant but does hold on to the THREE Michelin 2 Star Restaurants from last year’s Michelin Spain and Portugal Guide.  In the Michelin 1 star Restaurant category Portugal lost one Restaurant for 2016 but gained one NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurant.

 

Experience Michelin starred Restaurant dining opportunities! On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

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MICHELIN Guide Spain & Portugal 2016 – RESULTS ARE IN!

Michelin 2016 Spain & Portugal RESULTS ARE IN 

The yearlong wait is over –  The NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was officially presented earlier this evening LIVE from Galicia. So ……  what’s new? What’s HOT ? (What’s NOT?) Here’s the lowdown from Santiago de Compostela:

This year just 16 NEW Michelin Stars were awarded to Spain! 

* * *  NO  NEW Michelin 3 Star Restaurant in Spain 2016 * * *

We were rooting for Mugaritz and ABaC to be promoted to the Michelin 3 Star elite status but unfortunately for another year it is just not to be! So, no new Michelin 3 star restaurants in Spain will appear in the New Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal for 2016.

However, all eight of last year’s Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain retained their magnificent status to head the list of the “crème de la crème” for another year!

The 8 Wonders of Spain – Michelin 3* restaurants 2016 (in alphabetical order)

Akelarre. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi. Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO. David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca. Joan Roca (Girona) – Current World’s Number One Restaurant !!!

Martín Berasategui.  (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta. (Alicante)

Sant Pau. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 

* *  TWO NEW Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016 * *

  • Zaranda (Mallorca / Es Capdellà)
  • Coque (Humanes de Madrid)

 

No previous Michelin 2 star restaurants lost any stars so this brings the total of Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain for 2016 to 20

 

*  14 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016 * 

Kabuki Raw (Casares, Málaga)

Sollo (Fuengirola, Málaga)

Messina (Marbella)

Acanthum (Huelva)

Disfrutar (Barcelona)

Hoja Santa (Barcelona)

Tresmacarrons (El Masnou, Barcelona)

Emporium (Castelló d’Empúries, Girona)

El Ermitaño (Benavente, Zamora)

Villena (Segovia)

El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Los Gigantes, Tenerife)

Zarate (Bilbao)

Lúa (Madrid)

Casa Marcelo (Santiago de Compostela)

Congratulations to all our wonderful Michelin Star Chefs!

 

But it’s not all good news – 9 Michelin 1 Star Restaurants from 2015 lost their star:

Ca L’ Arpa (Banyoles, Girona)

Comerç 24 (Barcelona) – due to closure

Manairó (Barcelona)

Neichel (Barcelona) – due to closure

Aizian (Bilbao)

Casa Alfonso (Dehesa de Campoamor, Alicante)

Miramón Arbelaitz (San Sebastián) – due to closure

La Casa del Carmen (Olías del Rey, Toledo)

Vertical (H.C. Aqua 4) (Valencia)

 

And over in Portugal? Our neighbors gained just 1 Michelin One Star restaurant with Bon Bon, in Carvoeiro (Faro) with the presentation of the NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 but lost one with L’And Vineyards (Montemor-o-Novo).

 

And, here’s the FULL COMPLETE LIST of MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS in SPAIN and PORTUGAL 2016

Michelin Starred Restaurants Spain and Portugal

The NEW Michelin Spain and Portugal 2016 Guide will be presented tomorrow evening LIVE FROM SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA!!!

We’ll keep you updated with the results tomorrow when they are announced but here’s a quick re-cap of how the Michelin Spain and Portugal 2015 restaurants shape-up:

 

 

SPAIN

8 Michelin THREE Star Restaurants

18 Michelin TWO Star Restaurants

143 Michelin ONE Star Restaurants

TOTAL: 169 Michelin Starred Restaurants Spain FULL LIST

PORTUGAL

0 Michelin THREE Star Restaurants

3 Michelin TWO Star Restaurants

11 Michelin ONE Star Restaurants

TOTAL: 14 Michelin Starred Restaurants Portugal FULL LIST

 

Experience Michelin starred Restaurant dining opportunities! On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016

November 25th 2015 – a date for your diary!!!!

The Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 will be officially presented on November 25th 2015, and this year the awards ceremony will be presented from Galicia.  UPDATE: FULL COMPLETE LIST of MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS in SPAIN and PORTUGAL 2016

Last year, the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal 2015, detailing the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal for 2015, was presented from Marbella. This year the Michelin tires drive North and to Santiago de Compostela where the NEW Michelin guide Spain & Portugal 2016 will be unveiled.

The prestigious awards ceremony, for the new edition of the MICHELIN guide Spain & Portugal 2016, will be presented from the Parador Hostal dos Reis Católicos in Santiago de Compostela.

 

Michelin starred restaurants Spain 2015:

Last year just 20 NEW Michelin stars were awarded to Spain with Aponiente – Angel León – being the highest achiever as a NEW Michelin 2 star restaurant for Spain 2015. No new Michelin 3 star restaurant was awarded but the 8 wonders in the Michelin 3 star category did hold on to their stars. 19 NEW Michelin 1 star restaurants in Spain appeared for the 2015 prestigious “Red Guide”.

Here is the FULL LIST Michelin Starred Restaurants Spain 2015

And here’s what happened over in Portugal last year as well as the FULL LIST of Michelin Starred Restaurants in Portugal .

 

Michelin starred restaurants Spain 2016?:  TBC !!!!

Will Mugaritz (currently No 6 on the World’s Best 50 Restaurants List) finally achieve a 3rd Michelin star?

Will one, or more, of Barcelona city’s Michelin 2 star restaurants achieve Michelin 3 star status so that the city can finally boast a Tri-Star Michelin Restaurant?

Is Angel León on a roll to keep climbing and achieve another Michelin star for 2016?

 

All will be revealed on November 25th 2015 when the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal 2016 will be officially presented – from here at Gourmand Breaks we’ll keep you informed :-)

 

Girona – the Cathedral and Game of Thrones

American TV series “Game of Thrones” has taken the world by storm, and  part of the filming for its new Series 6 is taking place in Girona, Spain.   Ambling around the Old Town of Girona certainly can transport you back in time, or, with the correct props, into the fantasy world of one of the Kingdoms of Game of Thrones.

Set building for Game of Thrones (series 6) taking place in the Old Town of Girona, Spain.

Set building for Game of Thrones (series 6) taking place in the Old Town of Girona, Spain.

The Game of Thrones cast and crew are currently”decorating” and preparing to start filming next week in certain parts of the Old Town, the Medieval Jewish quarter if you will,  of Girona. Maybe not a great time for you to visit right now, as the filming of Game of Thrones continues into mid-September with many areas beng closed, but all year round Girona and it’s old town are a great place to wander. At the heart of the intricate network of cobbled streets, towering above the Medieval Jewish quarter that winds around it, stands Girona Cathedral.

Girona Cathedral is a significant work of Gothic architecture since its construction began in the 11th century. Girona Cathedral’s prominence especially rose in the 15th century when architects added what is still, today,  the largest Gothic nave in the world and the second largest nave overall, behind St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Inside Girona Cathedral there are several relics dating back to the 11th century as well as ancient saint shrines, an ivory throne made for King Charlemagne and the Tapestry of the Creation, a very rare surviving tapestry from the era depicting the creation of the world, months of the year and Biblical characters.

Girona Cathedral

Curiously, Girona has not not only inspired the modern day Game of Thrones, the Cathedral inspired even Antoni Gaudi!  On the Apse façade of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the chapel of the Assumption will be built, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, which is especially popular in Catalonia. This project is inspired by an existing one in Girona cathedral and includes the crown dedicated to the Virgin, the pillars that form the  structure and the curtains hanging from it, as well as the angels that are represented on the Girona model.

 

Explore the beautiful city of Girona on a private Gourmet, Wine and Cultural Tour of Spain like our Romantic Spain Luxury Private Tour which takes you within Girona cathedral’s courtyard and the Roman walls behind it  – a beautifully peaceful journey through the history of Gothic art as well as visits to medieval villages, prestigious wineries and the chance to dine Michelin style.

Girona, The colourful riverside homes, Cathedral and Sant Felix

Read more about Girona on our blog post:  Girona, Spain – Little City, BIG heart

The Eve of Sant Joan, 23 June

Sant Joan

 

In Catalunya and throughout Spain, the most important celebration during the month of June is undoubtedly the Eve of Sant Joan (St. John). This is celebrated both in private houses and in public places, and there is dancing and the typical “coca”, as well as bonfires in some streets and squares, and fireworks.  Catalonians celebrate the Eve of Sant Joan in their idiosyncratic way- the fiesta takes place the night before Saint John’s Day (June 24th), which coincides with the summer solstice. Old furniture is bundled onto bonfires in the villages and towns throughout Catalonia, the fire acting as a purifier and curative element.

Read more

DO Wines Spain – Bierzo Spanish Wine D.O. Region

Our Gourmand Breaks DO the Vineyards series is covering some of the great Wine Regions of Spain.

First, and in no particular order, we presented the excellent Ribera del Duero Spanish Wine D.O. Region and now it’s the turn of the young and up and coming Bierzo Spanish Wine D.O. Region.  Located in the autonomous community of Castile and León some exciting Spanish Wines are being produced in the Bierzo DO Wine Region of Spain with the principle Red Grape Variety being Mencía. Do Bierzo

Quality Spanish wines are classified, using a system called the “Denominación de Origen” or “D.O.”, which in English translates as “designated origin”, to determine where they were produced. Spanish wine laws first created the “D.O.” system in 1932 and each “denominación” D.O. has its corresponding regional regulatory council or “Consejo Regulador”.  The Bierzo Denominación de Origen (D.O.) was recognized in 1989.

The young, up and coming, Spanish Wine DO Region of Bierzo, is tucked away in the north western corner of Castile and León, somewhat removed from the main hub of the Duero Valley but still attracts a great deal of interest.

Mencia grapes

 Thanks to the impressive wine making skills of both local Bierzo winemakers and those from other Spanish wine DO regions that have recognized its potential here, Bierzo DO Region red wines, made from the Mencia grape, are developing into something quite exciting. The Mencia vine is comfortable in Bierzo’s Wine DO Region mild climate and slate soils which combine to produce a wine which is more structured than the light, fruity reds of Galicia but leaner than the powerful styles of the Duero. They have a character of their own which brings a welcome diversity to Spanish red wines with their dark chocolate and black fruit flavors which are enhanced by French oak.

The climate and wines of the Bierzo Wine Region of Spain  could be described as a mix between Galicia and Castille.

The Bierzo DO Wine region of Spain covers 22 municipalities, including the largest town of the area, Ponferrada, and an attractive mix of castles, vineyards, pine forests and delightful mountain scenery. The area consists of numerous small valleys in the mountainous part called Alto Bierzo and a wide, flat plain called Bajo Bierzo. The focal point for wine is the market town of Cacabelos, a popular place for pilgrims to rest along the Camino de Santiago.

Bierzo wines
Bierzo DO wines must be elaborated exclusively with the following varieties: Mencía, Garnacha Tintorera, Godello, Doña Blanca and Palomino.

If you love Wine you can’t miss the Wine Regions of Spain!

Join us on a Private Wine Tour of Spain and enjoy expert  guided visits to some fantastic Spanish Wine Regions and wineries and taste some great Spanish wines.

 

Some Top Bierzo DO winemakers include:

  • Descendientes de J. Palacios –  Villafranca del Bierzo Alvaro Palacios, credited with putting the Priorat Wine region of Spain on the map in the 1990s, along with his nephew Ricardo Pérez, pay respect to their subsequent father and grandfather with this fantastic Bierzo DO Winery. They have completely restored the old stone bodega although their first priorities are the vineyards. Las Lamas, La Faraona and Moncerbal are not only the names of 3 great Bierzo DO Wines but also the vineyards that give the Wine it’s independent and particular character.
  • Dominio Tares – San Román de Bembibre A collective venture uniting various young oenologists with a healthy obsession for old mencia and godello vines to produce the interesting wines of Godello F.B, Baltos, Cepas Viejas, Bembibre and Tares P-3.
  • Prada a Tope – Canedo In the 18th century, the nobility of Canedo had their own vineyards and a cellar storing over 32,000 liters of good wine. Prada A Tope continues with this tradition and recovered the abandoned land and hillsides. Their respect for the land combined with ecological and traditional methods produce authentic wines.
  • Pittacum – Arganza del Bierzo The Terras Gauda Group  acquired Bodegas Pittacum  in 2002 with a clear idea of making quality wines with a mencia marked personality. Quality red wines are produced from the grapes of an ancient vineyard where they are later aged in oak barrels.
  • Paixar – Cacabelos A joint venture between Alejandro Luna, owner of the Luna Beberide winery and Eduardo and Alberto Garcia, sons of Mariano Garcia, one of Spain’s top winemakers – ex winemaker of Vega Sicilia in the Ribera del Duero Wine Region of Spain and founder of the Mauro winery. These young wine-makers focus on the production of a unique expression of Mencia, using Luna Beberide for vinification and a conditioned subterranean bodega in a Palace-house in Villafranca del Bierzo for ageing.
  • Castro Ventoso – Valtuille de Abajo Founded in 1752 by the Perz Family and family-owned ever since. They produce five different Mencía wines; Valtuille, El Castro de Valtuille, El Castro de Valtuille “Joven Mencia”, El Castro de Valtuille “Mencia Selección” and Castro Ventosa Vintage. Their trademark Valtuille wine is made from five plots with pre-phyloxeric vineyards that are located on the only sandy soil found in Bierzo.
  • Bodega del Abad – Carracedelo Inaugurated in June 2003, Bodega del Abad offers modern facilities and technological innovations for the elaboration of its wines, which allow a thorough quality control of the whole process from start to end. Their 100% grape variety wines are represented by the Vinos Abad Dom Bueno range and the Gotín del Risc range, both using 100% Mencia or Godello and the singular Carracedo  – 100% Mencia.

 

More of our Gourmand Breaks DO the Wine Regions of Spain:

RESULTS ARE IN!!!! MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2015

We are delighted to announce the NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2015 results!

There was a great celebration tonight in Marbella, at the Hotel Los Monteros, following the announcement of the results for the New Spain and Portugal Michelin Guide 2015.  With the NEW, hot off the grill, results for the Michelin Guide for Spain 2015, the country is certainly sparkling for yet another a year !!!!!

This year a mighty TWENTY new Michelin Stars were awarded to Spain!

  * * *  NO  NEW Michelin 3 Star Restaurant in Spain 2015 * * *

Strange, but true! No new Michelin 3 star restaurants will appear in the Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal for 2015. However, all eight of last years Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain retained their magnificent status to head the list of the “crème de la crème” for yet another year!

The 8 Wonders of Spain – Michelin 3* restaurants 2015 (in alphabetical order)

Akelarre Michelin 3*Restaurant. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak Michelin 3*Restaurant. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi Michelin 3*Restaurant . Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO Michelin 3*Restaurant . David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca Michelin 3*Restaurant . Joan Roca (Girona)

Martín Berasategui Michelin 3*Restaurant. (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta Michelin 3*Restaurant. (Alicante)

Sant Pau Michelin 3*Restaurant. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 * *  ONE NEW Michelin 2 Star Restaurant in Spain 2015 * *

ONLY one new Michelin 2 star restaurant in Spain announced by the Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2015:

Aponiente –  Angel León in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz

 *  19 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2015 *  

Mugaritz !!!  A regular deception in the Michelin Guide for Spain over recent years! Every year we all hope that the great 2 Michelin starred Basque restaurant, Mugaritz, will be promoted (after all it has been a World Top 10 restaurant since 2006 and is currently rated 6th Best Restaurant in the World by Restaurant Magazine).  No exception this year! Mugaritz restaurant did not receive a well deserved 3rd Michelin star.

Barcelona city, yet again,  fails to receive that 3rd Michelin star, to be able to boast about a TriStar restaurant.  However, the city does maintain its fabulous four Michelin 2 star restaurants: ABaC (Jordi Cruz), Enoteca (Paco Pérez), Lasarte (Martín Berasategui) and Moments (Raül Balam), and numerous Michelin 1 star restaurants.

 

Congratulations to our wonderful Spanish Michelin Star Chefs!

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain with 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.