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If you had to prepare a route for the best wine places in Madrid for someone visiting the capital from the United States, which places would you include? We know it can be a complicated question, but don’t worry because The New York Times has published an article recommending nine of the best places in Madrid to taste good wine. Does the list below match your choices? Check it out!
La Caníbal
One of the first stops to enjoy a good wine is at La Canibal. This place near the Reina Sofia Museum for serving wines and craft beers (16 and 12 varieties, respectively) and another of its protagonists is also cheese. From the NY Times they highlight the Cantalapiedra La Otea 2020 wine, a Verdejo from very old ungrafted vines, and the Os Pasás Ribeiro 2020 by Luis Anxo Rodríguez Vázquez, a floral and stony wine.
Where? In Argumosa Street, 28, 28012 Madrid
La Fisna
This small tavern and wine store is another of the capital’s benchmarks for wine lovers. Located in the Lavapiés neighborhood, they offer wines by the glass or bottle and delicious Spanish cuisine such as wood-roasted red peppers with thin slices of tuna belly, cod croquettes, tortilla, eggs with sobrasada, highlighted by the New York media. As for the wine cellar, they have a wide selection of Spanish wines, as well as champagnes and Burgundy, among others.
Where? At 91 Amparo St., 28012, Madrid
Berria
It is another meeting point for wine lovers. In the middle of Puerta de Alcalá, Berria has more than 3,100 wine references and 500 sparkling wines, and its cellar is constantly evolving. The U.S. newspaper highlights some wines such as the Catalan Improvisació by Enric Soler, or the Viña Real Rioja Reserva 1994 by CUNE. As for food, you must try delicacies such as potato chips with anchovy and jowl or Berria eggs.
Where? At Plaza de la Independencia, 6, 28001 Madrid
La Venencia
In this traditional and peculiar bar they have things clear. They do not let you take pictures inside or receive tips and only serve sherry wines, which have five different ones: manzanilla, fino, amontillado, oloroso and palo cortado. So if you are a lover of this drink, in the Barrio de las Letras is a must stop. The experience will be worth it.
Where? At 7 Echegaray Street, 28014, Madrid, Spain.
Roostiq
In this elegant steakhouse in the Chueca neighborhood they have more than 400 references among national wines, burgundies and champagne. The New York Times especially highlights the Spanish wines, such as a xarello Pur 2019 from Pardas, in the Penedès, and a garnacha Cantos del Diablo Méntrida 2014, from Daniel Gómez Jiménez-Landi. For food, they recommend the torreznos, chicken, Iberian pluma and their Guanciale pizza with chives and sage.
Where? At Augusto Figueroa 47, 28004, Madrid, Spain
Ganz Wine Bar
It is one of those places that promotes like no one else the culture of good wine so deeply rooted in our country. The New York media highlights the excellent value for money of wines such as Camí dels Xops 2021; a Fato 2020 from Eloi Cedó in Mallorca; and a Rioja Viñedos 2021 in San Vicente de la Sonsierra by José Gil. Here, without a doubt, you will find wines that come from honest producers who pamper their vineyards from nearby. In the food section, the proposal is informal but careful, highlighting the anchovies with pan tumaca, veal cheek or duck breast, among other options.
Where? At Almadén Street 9, 28014, Madrid
Angelita
This wine bar, gastro-cocktail bar and restaurant is another must if you want to taste a good wine. Run by two brothers, Mario and David Villalón -the latter is the sommelier and cocktail waiter-, in the wine section they have more than 500 references and dozens of them available by the glass, such as an Albariño Arrobas 2020 69 from Bodegas Albamar or a Morey-St.-Denis 2014 from Domaine Arlaud, which stand out from NYT. As for the dishes, the recommendation falls on the deconstructed salad of roasted red peppers, anchovies and potatoes; the ratatouille and also oxtail cannelloni with porcini mushrooms.
Where? At Calle de la Reina, 4, 28004 Madrid
Cuenllas
Open since 1939, this historic grocery and tapas restaurant also has a carefully selected and very effective wine list. Since 2021, they have also opened a wine bar plus store in the Salesas area (although it is now closed until August 20), where they have a wine cellar with 700 references, of which 75 are available in the store. With regard to the restaurant’s food, they offer a simple and authentic proposal: from fried free-range eggs with a paste of sobrasada from Son Dalabau to lamb kidneys with red cabbage, and pickled parrot fish.
Where? At Ferraz 5, 28008, Madrid
Vinoteca García de la Navarra
This traditional restaurant serves traditional and seasonal cuisine, along with an extensive wine list, another of the hallmarks of this wine bar, of course. It is run by brothers Pedro and Luis, who specialize in wines. One of their slogans is “Every wine has its moment, look for it! In their cellar they include more than 700 references and 1,900 labels that will delight wine lovers.
Where? At Montalbán 3, 28014 Madrid