Back in the glass- a summer update!
I was on a bit of a ‘hiatus’ from the wine scene in Madrid for the first half of the year. Mostly due to the marathon. Drinking lots of wine (albeit natural) and going out to ‘hip bars’ that only serve ‘small bites’ is not the right way to fuel for long runs. But now with the marathon done and dusted (thank you for everyone’s support by the way!), I have been easing my way back into the wonderful world of wine in Madrid.
What I've Been Eating and Drinking
I finally crossed town and made it to La Capa and it did not disappoint. Esteban and I shared a bottle of bubbles over freshly made pasta pesto, pisto, and lengua en escabeche. Everything was fresh, summery, and very filling. It was exciting to see my friends running a young, exciting restaurant that does not feel like a ‘copy paste’ natural wine bar, but more like a neighborhood spot fit for any occasion small or big, focused on hospitality, community, quality, and approachability. Exactly what we need in wine today.
I also went to a great tasting at Root Concept Store, which is now distributing my wine. It was a fun mix of people; some were very into wine while others were at their first tasting. We had a great time, tasted some great bottles, and got a little messy towards the end. The standout wine for me was the Xarel-lo from Clot de les Soleres, crisp but creamy, could pair with anything. Aleida, who runs Root is doing something important, building community through natural wine which makes me excited to be collaborating with her.
And lastly we had a lovely aperitivo at Crudo by Psicolabs after delivering wine. Anette chooses every cheese with such care and tells you the stories behind each product and producer. We had a perfectly balanced cheese plate paired with a Garnacha Blanca from Pinyolet Vinyaters in Terra Alta. One of the cheeses won the “best manchego” in 2024. It left me wanting to know exactly what makes a manchego “the best”... I will have to return.
It feels good to be back out there, tasting, talking, reconnecting.
From the Vineyard
On the business side, things are moving. Sales have been picking up, which means more of you are opening Indovino bottles at your tables and that makes my day every time I hear about it.
The vineyard is HOT right now. This heatwave has been intense but the vines are prepared with all the rain reserves from this winter. Next on the agenda we're gearing up to bottle the first vintages of the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Antequera! I am so excited to share it with you all... More on that soon.
And then a trip home to Colorado. I am very ready to spend some time with family in the mountains, enjoying the wildflowers, snow melt lakes, and alpenglow sunsets to feel refreshed for harvest.
Your Summer Table Needs a Bottle
The indoVINO Cabernet Franc and Garnacha were made for this time of year. Normally in the summer I don’t want wine, and opt for a cool beer instead. But because these are so light and chillable, I can’t resist. They’re the perfect pairing if you’re hosting a long dinner outside, firing up the grill, spreading a blanket in the park, or heading to the beach with a cooler. These wines are alive, bright, and built for moments where you want to be present and have quality, but not thinking too hard about what's in your glass.
Grab a few bottles for your summer in our store and enjoy 20% off all orders (both Spanish and Colorado) for the next two weeks!
Salud! And see you out there!
Nicole