LAURA S. LARA
Updated Monday, January 29, 2024-00:00
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Madrid opens new temples of wine while some of its predecessors become contemporary classics in record time. We review those bars that promote a more democratic way of drinking wine, from those that have just arrived to those that in a few years have become essential due to their interest in
promoting wine culture without nonsense or limitations
. Open places, with cosmopolitan bars and changing slates, where you can discover new styles, varieties and denominations from the glass, in the hands of those producers who give life to
a sector in constant evolution.
Fun Fun.
fun Fun
The capital's new temple of natural wines is next to Las Vistillas and is run by
those responsible for the La Santoría cocktail bar
. It is a small and cozy place, as if it were a living room, with eclectic decoration and a careful musical selection that invites you to extend conversations over a drink. Its appetizing list of
minimal intervention wines from small producers
, personally selected by the team, invites you to open your mind and let yourself be carried away by new wine paths. A vegetable snack with an international accent (pea hummus, kimchi, polenta, falafel, tofu tacos, baba ganoush) accompanies the liquid proposal. In addition,
they have a wine club
from which they organize tastings and presentations of unique winery projects. Don Pedro, 20.
Glop.
Glop
Sherry wine lovers have a new playground in the Chamberí neighborhood. The founders of La Deseada have launched this
Spanish wine bar
that has nearly 60 references on the menu (15 of them by the glass) and that aims to encourage the public to let themselves be carried away by the
lesser-known wine regions
of our country and even get started in natural matters. If we get hungry, gildas, cannelloni, fricandó meatballs, cod carpaccio or the popular bikini are some of the dishes that come out the most. Ferdinand the Catholic, 6.
Caiño.
Caino
Located on the gastronomic boulevard of Ibiza Street, Caíño occupies the place of what was once El Marginal and joins the gastronomic offer of Bistronómika, La Cocina de Frente, Casa Julián de Tolosa, Maison Glacée, La Retasca and El Private.
At the helm, a young team
led by Carlos García, head chef, and Lucía Araque as head of the room, who have set out to bring the world of wine closer to both lovers and the curious, through a
menu full of curious references, labels of small wineries,
exclusive sips and different proposals from here and there, an exclusive agenda of tastings open to the public, live music and more surprises. On the plate, elaborate snacks to accompany the wine, recipes that twist some classics and others that come and go depending on the season. Ibiza, 35.
Georgian Nunuka Wines.
Nunuka
Combining the passion for wine and authentic Georgian gastronomy, Nunuka has become a kind of
Caucasian sanctuary for lovers of ancient flavors
. This small bistro is based on the traditional recipes of this region bathed by the Black Sea, characterized by its spicy flavor, the use of spices and bread, vegetables and meat as protagonists, to focus on the wines of a nation , located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, which claims to be the cradle of wine. It achieves this through a
careful selection of small local wineries
, which range from qvevri, whites macerated with their skins and aged in clay jars (the origin of the Orange Wines), reds made with the saperavi variety (including the popular barrel-aged Mukuzani or the semi-sweet Kindzmarauli) and other natural wines that reflect
the richness of Georgian winemaking tradition
. A sensory journey to the South Caucasus from the Chueca neighborhood. Freedom, 13.
LEV.
LEV-The Wine Staircase
From the Las Letras neighborhood and with a busy terrace at the foot of this historic center, La Escalera del Vino encourages its customers to enjoy
homemade Spanish cuisine in all its forms
. "Tasty dishes in an incomparable setting: this is what we offer you at LEV." An honest invitation to taste the Mediterranean recipes (seafood, oysters and caviar included) in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, which is completed with a more than interesting list of wines by the glass (many of
them high-end
served with Coravin) that do not stop to rotate. The perfect place to impress and be impressed. Lope de Vega, 20.
The Alchemy.
Alchemy
Those who think that in Madrid you cannot drink (good) wine after a certain time of night, do not yet know La Alquimia. It is normal, because it has been open since last September. This new corner of the Chamberí neighborhood has in a short time earned the label of
essential for lovers of natural wines
. An idea that arose improvisedly due to the difficulty of disposing of the leftover wine from the wedding of Julieta Pasella, one of its founders. Now, the proposal of this intimate and charming establishment is completed with natural wines from
all over Spain and also from other nationalities
such as Italy, and Mediterranean cuisine made with care and good taste. On weekends they usually hold presentations open to the public. Saint Luke, 15.
Berria
Other addresses to keep an eye on
Berria
(Pl. Independencia, 6). The
wine bar
par excellence, with the largest and most impressive menu in Madrid, in the style of London or New York.
Jorge Juan Propaganda
(Jorge Juan, 21). The perfect place to drink champagne after hours (and taste the real Sicilian caponata).
Angelita
(Queen, 4). Words are unnecessary. The
winelover
experience
begins in this award-winning Madrid cocktail bar. If you haven't been yet, run, because on February 11 it will close for a few months.
DisTinto Tavern
(Duque de Medinaceli, 12). The one that never fails. One of the best wine lists by the glass in the city and a gastronomic success to which you return again and again.
Vinology
(Conde de Aranda, 11). Possibly the most beautiful wine bar in Madrid. Perfect to put the gourmet cherry on top of a morning walk through Retiro.
Gout
(Prim, 5). The natural wine bar to see and be seen. The wine bet of the ACID coffee growers.
Of Wines
(La Palma, 76). A Malasaña classic, but from the lesser known part. A tavern that was born within the walls of an old grocery store in the Conde Duque area. Perfect for a first date.
Saint-Germain
Wine Bar
(Cochabamba, 21). Inspired by a Parisian bistro. For French tastes and a desire for bubbles.
Ganz Wine Bar
(Almadén, 9). The center of operations for those who know the most about wines in the capital. Informal and casual, but with a liquid proposal that is proof of international committees.
La Venencia
(Echegaray, 7). Another classic. This one for those who miss Jerez's cigars.
La Fisna
(Amparo, 91). Another of the pilgrimage temples for the most traditional wine lovers is this space halfway between
a wine bar
and a
delicatessen
, where you can taste more than 50 wines by the glass.
Coalla Madrid
(Serrano, 203). The updated grocery store. A gourmet store where having wine and some sausages is almost an obligation.
Batch
(Vallehermoso, 36). The natural wine stand at the Vallehermoso Market. Stop before, after or during, because they also have food.
The Cannibal
(Argumosa, 28). The bar that opened the door to natural wines in Madrid and broke stereotypes with its peculiar wine tap system.
Cuenllas
(Ferraz, 5). Product, cuisine, winery, service and atmosphere. Has it all.
La Bubujería
(Boat, 7). The restaurant in Madrid that does not have a single negative review. Fusion cuisine and a proposal of good sparkling wines at a good price to frame.
García de la Navarra
(Montalbán, 3). It is one of the best steakhouses in Madrid and also one of the most professional wine services. The ideal place to get advice.
Cedrón
(Almendro, 25). The only wine bar in La Latina that resists falling into the tourist trap with a careful selection of sincere wines (organic or biodynamic) from all over the world, although with a marked Argentine accent.