A Wine Lover’s Guide to Valencia

As a wine region, Valencia doesn’t seem to get talked about very much – which is a shame as it’s home to some of Spain’s best-value wines. On the southeast coast and known as the city where the sun shines for around 300 days per year, Valencia gets pretty warm – so coastal breezes and higher altitudes are important when it comes to vineyards. The favourable climate means that organic viticulture is also widely practised. Red wines made from Monastrell and Bobal are big business here, but refreshing whites (which are perhaps the ones you want on a warm day) are becoming increasingly popular – look out for those made from grapes like Merseguera and Moscatel. In the city of Valencia, however, you’ll of course find wines not just from the surrounding region but from the whole of Spain. Prices are generally reasonable (well, relative to northern Europe) so a visit to Valencia is a good opportunity to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of Spanish wines in general.

Wine bars in Valencia

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of wine bars in Valencia – this is just a small selection that I’ve been adding to over multiple visits. Some specialise in local Valencian wines, others in the whole Spanish wine gamut, and others still in French, Italian or even natural wines. There genuinely is something for every wine lover!

Travieso Bar

I’m not usually a fan of QR code menus, but the online wine list at Travieso Bar in the Gran Vía neighbourhood is genuinely useful. At the time of writing, there are 160 wines available, most of which are Spanish, but the list allows you to filter by various different categories – making it much easier to find bottles that fit the bill. One of the filters is “by the glass”, which brings up a whopping 67 on offer. We tried a floral, red-fruited, savoury Giró from Alicante (a new grape for me), plus a Valencian red known simply as “Las Tintas” by the locally famous Bruno Marciano. Both were excellent value. The food was good, too, and a little different from your average tapas. I enjoyed Travieso’s punchy gilda, garlicky focaccia, Parmigiana-style leek gratin, and meltingly slow-cooked lamb with yoghurt and baba ghanoush.

ViveVino

In the heart of Russafa, ViveVino used to be unmissable for its bright blue exterior and gold lettering. It’s subsequently moved just around the corner and toned down its signage, but the natural wines are as good as ever. ViveVino’s wine list features useful details, like whether the wine is made using whole-bunch maceration, oak ageing or maturation in traditional amphora. I particularly enjoyed “El Romano”: a Valencian blend of Macabeo and Tardana grapes, aged for six months in oak – with smooth vanilla undertones that didn’t overpower the fruit. ViveVino is a natural wine bar, but it offers plenty of wines that don’t conform to the “funky” stereotype of natural wines.

The Wine Gallery

For well-priced wines by the glass in the same neighbourhood, head to The Wine Gallery: a cosy bar that showcases local artwork, with tables spilling onto the pavement outside. Wines are listed on a blackboard by area and – while they’re all Spanish – the widest selection comes from the Valencia region. Most glasses are under €4, and most bottles are under €20 – ideal for wine lovers on a budget.

Terra à Vins

A hidden gem in Gran Vía, Terra à Vins is a tiny, low-lit bar that only seats ten people at a time, where personal recommendations from the knowledgeable sommelier abound. Uniquely, you’ll find a limited selection of Spanish wines in favour of Burgundian Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Order a plate of raw-milk cheeses to accompany your wine and you can’t go wrong.

Angolo DiVino

In the same barrio, Angolo DiVino is a casual, convivial wine bar specialising in bottles from Italy. And again, while you’ll find a couple of Spanish Tempranillos, take the advice of the bar staff and try a rich and rewarding glass of Barbera d’Asti (a full-bodied red from Piedmonte) or perhaps a Ripasso (or as I like to call it, baby Amarone).

Wine stores in Valencia

Tasting wine in Valencia need not be limited to bars. There are lots of independent wine shops across the city that offer tastings and events alongside bottles to take home. Again, this is just a small selection of shops I’ve visited personally.

The Wine Place

If your Spanish is rusty (or non-existent), the best place to start is The Wine Place – run by native English-speaking Mark O’Neill. In addition to selling a well-curated range of Spanish and international bottles, he runs regular themed tastings for small groups interested in learning more. Some events concentrate solely on Valencian wines while others have a broader international focus, but all are designed to enhance learning and pleasure for wine enthusiasts of all levels.

DeVinos Divinos

Located in Arrancapins, just west of Valencia’s old town, DeVinos Divinos is a family-run wine shop where you’ll be welcomed with open arms by owner Franjo. We did a private tasting there one evening, but I’m reliably informed they put on public events every couple of weeks. Of particular note was an extremely good-value Merlot from Navarra, plus a sumptuous, high-end Ribera del Duero. But of course the shop sells a range of local Valencian wine, plus many other bottles from further afield.

Vegamar / La Cavina

The Vegamar winery is actually situated in Calles – in the mountains around 65 km northwest of Valencia – where the winemakers grow and harvest a variety of black and white grapes with which they make some outstanding wines. And while tours of the winery are on offer, Vegamar’s wines are also available at a couple of city centre locations – meaning you don’t need to leave Valencia to try them. To pick up bottles to take home, stop by the Vegamar store on Carrer de Joaquín Costa where the staff will help you pick the perfect bottle. To try before you buy, head to La Cavina – Vegamar’s sister restaurant – where wines are available by the glass and bottle, with paired tastings to enhance your Vegamar experience.

Transport to, from and around Valencia

Before you can start exploring Spanish wines, you’re going to need to travel to Valencia. There are direct flights to Valencia with Dutch airline KLM, Spanish airline Iberia, UK airline British Airways and German airline Lufthansa, as well as low-cost airlines like Vueling, easyJet and Transavia. You can compare times and prices among all airlines on sites like Skyscanner, Expedia and GoEuro. From Valencia airport, it’s a short hop on the metro into the centre of the city. Valencia is very walkable, but you can also hire a car or a bike (handy for getting to the beach) or take public transport.

Planning a trip to Spain’s sunshine city? Check out my Valencia Restaurant Guide, too!