Welcome to the Costa Blanca Wine Society

Our goal is to create an open and welcoming society where members can enjoy wine, explore the rich variety that Spain has to offer and learn more about the wine industry here. We are an international group, with English as our primary language. This page has been designed for new members to familiarise themselves with our society and how we operate.

WEBSITE

We have a regularly updated website which can be found at www.cbws.eu . Here you will find full details of all our people and activities past, present and future.

COMMUNICATION

Each month, we send out an email with a link to our newsletter on the website. This newsletter includes a report of the previous months tasting, details for the upcoming tasting, and booking information. You will be expected to book your places on a tasting via the website and make payment by bank transfer from a Spanish bank account to our bank account as soon as your booking is made. We are unable to accept cash payments. If you click here you will be able to see our most recent newsletters.

TASTINGS

We host tastings every month except July and August and these are usually on the 3rd Thursday of the month. A full calendar of our events can be found here. The tastings, which usually start with a welcome Cava at 7.30pm are held at a variety of venues, including familiar locations we’ve used for many years, as well as new venues that we’re always eager to discover. Our events range from casual “tasting picnics” with local bodegas to tasting dinners at local restaurants. For our tastings we ask that all members dress smart-casual, jackets are optional and no jeans. For our outdoor events we often suggest  casual, but this will be made clear in the newsletter.

DRINKS AT TASTINGS

At each tasting we include a welcome drink which is usually a glass of cava together with wine during the meal.  We usually serve 5 different wines to taste throughout the meal. Water will be on the tables. Any other drinks including coffees, etc are not included in the tasting, but can usually be bought and paid for individually.

MENU AT TASTINGS

Menu styles vary depending on the location but generally there are 3 starters which are served in the centre of the table for everyone to share. For the main course there is generally a choice of a meat dish or a fish dish and we can also provide a vegetarian dish. There is a set dessert. We do not include coffee. At the time of booking you will be asked to select your choice of main course.

SEATING AT TASTINGS

We operate a system of random seating at most of our tastings. When you arrive you will be asked to select a number from a bag. This will denote your table number. We will provide you with a place card and invite you to place the card at any vacant place on the table you have drawn out. Couples will sit on the same table. Your place card will have your name on it together with the letter C – for Carne, P for Pescado or V for Vegetarian to denote to the staff your choice of main course.

WINE TRIPS

We usually organise two trips per year: one in May (lasting 3-4 nights) and another in September (usually an overnight trip closer to home). Our dedicated team, with years of experience and excellent contacts with many bodegas across Spain, plans these highly popular trips.

You will find full details of our previous trips on our website. When the next trip is published it will appear on the website but you will also receive an email inviting you to register your interest. For full details of recent and forthcoming trips plus click here then select Wine Trips from the drop down menus

GUESTS at TASTINGS

As a member, you will enjoy priority booking for tastings and the ability to bring guests. New potential members, family and friends are welcome to attend as your guests and experience a wine tasting. Please note that a person may attend as a guest a maximum of twice per year. Please be aware that ONLY members can make bookings so if you intend to bring guests they must be booked and paid for by you the member.

We also invite you to explore our website, where you’ll find helpful information, including tips on how to describe and score wines, as well as reports on past tastings and trips.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Costa Blanca Wine Society and hope to see you soon. If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact any of the committee whose details can be found here