Madrid is an excellent place to enjoy wine, not only because of the variety on offer but also because of the unbeatable prices. It’s a subject that came up when I recently interviewed Luke Darracott for my podcast.
“Spain and actually, I would say Portugal are probably the best two in the world for price to quality,” says Luke.
The co-owner of Madrid & Darracott wine shop, Luke knows his onions, or should I say grape varieties! He explained to me in the interview (which you can hear by clicking on the link below, that, unlike other countries where taxes inflate the cost of a decent bottle, Spanish wine is treated as a staple, making even the cheapest options drinkable.
How to choose a wine by the glass in a typical bar
If you walk into a typical Madrid bar, you’re likely to be offered two choices for red wine: Rioja or Ribera del Duero. “Most bars will have two reds… and they will almost always be Rioja and Ribera del Duero,” Luke explains.
He tends to plump for the latter simply because more producers offer affordable wines in the region. This means you’re likelier to strike lucky with a Ribera. That being said, if you’re looking for a great quality robust red then Rioja is still hard to beat at a higher price point.
For white wine, you’ll usually be given the choice between Verdejo from Rueda and Albariño from Rías Baixas. Luke prefers the latter: “I will always go for Albariño—crisp, fresh Galician wine.”
Best Wine Bars in Madrid
Madrid has some excellent wine bars where you can find more than just the usual Rioja and Ribera. Luke recommends:
- La Venencia: “A famous historic Sherry bar from the 1920s.”
- Taberna Tempranillo: “Amazing bar… The first bar I went to after the pandemic.”
- Casa Gerardo: “A really old, 100-year-old place with big wine vats inside.”
Wine Events and Tastings
For those who want a deeper dive into Spanish wine, Madrid & Daracott offers a range of tastings and events, from casual wine flights to themed nights. “The main passion always… was education and wine,” says Luke. Their Wine Bingo and Pub Quiz nights are rapidly becoming institutions in the city and are definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to meet new people.
If you’re new to Madrid or just looking to expand your knowledge, a tasting at Madrid & Daracott is a great place to start. “We want everyone to leave Spain and leave our shop having learned something new,” Luke adds.
Whether you’re sipping a glass in a hidden bodega or exploring the wineries just outside the city, Madrid has plenty to offer wine lovers. Just remember to ask for local wines—because as Luke says, “Spanish wines are better, they’re cheaper, and there’s lots more to drink than Rioja and Ribera.”
Are you coming to Madrid and looking for someone to show you around? Then why not book me, the author of The Making of Madrid for a tour of the city? Get in touch to discuss prices.
