Wine and Food Pairings in Spain: the 11 We Rate

1.Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 985 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $143Our pick

At The Cooking Clubhouse on Calle de Atocha, chefs such as Benji, Benny, Javi, Claudia, Youssef, and Vinny guide you through paella-making in pairs. You will cook, taste several paella styles, and sit down for appetizers, desserts, and five Spanish wines. Expect a social class with music, communal dining, and a maximum of 20 people.

“This place was very fun! The class was great, the food was great, there is a lot of wine, and the staff made it very fun. The facility is very nice and the dining area is elegant.”

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2.The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 967 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Spend about three hours bar-hopping through Bilbao’s Casco Viejo with a local English-speaking guide such as Irene, Olaia, or Leire. Taste one or two freshly made pintxos at five bars, including award-winning creations, and pair them with five drinks such as wine, beer, cider, or water. Come hungry: this is dinner, not just a snack stop.

“Irene was amazing in her ability to explain the Basque culture and practices coupled with the stops she orchestrated for tasting top-of-the-line, award winning pintxos. Very passionate and enthusiastic about what makes the Basque region and people special. One of the best foodie tours (and I have taken more than 20 in different regions) ever. 5 plus starts for sure!!”

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3.San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxo Tasting Paired with Wines

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 493 reviews · 3 hours · from $117

Walk San Sebastian’s Parte Vieja with a local guide such as Jonathan, Francisco, Julen, or Beatriz. Stop at traditional bars for eight pintxos, three Spanish wines, Basque cider, and a local liqueur. Expect food, drink, history, and practical advice in a small group, with vegetarian and gluten-free choices available. Vegans cannot be accommodated.

“Great fun, tried food we would never have considered before - visited some great places- wine also really good! I’d highly recommend Great tour guide and a fun group”

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4.Taste of Spain: Tapas Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 414 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $151

At The Cooking Clubhouse near Atocha, a chef such as Ines, Benjy, Jaime, or Javie guides you through four Spanish tapas made in pairs. Start with Cava, cook at your own station, then sit down for a chef-prepared main course and dessert with five Spanish wines. The class lasts about three hours and welcomes beginners.

“An extremely enjoyable experience with friendly and happy staff. Turning out 5 separate Tapas was a rewarding experience and the way it was set up made for nice conversation with newfound friends. Will have fun memories of the evening and with the recipes in hand will anticipate taking such to my kitchen.”

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5.Wine Tasting and 5 Course Tapas Pairing Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 129 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Meet your sommelier at Vivinos Wine Bar in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter for five regional wines, five tapas-style courses, and clear pairing lessons. Hosts such as Robert, Vivian, Christina, and Alice have led past tastings. Expect a relaxed 2.5-hour dinner, menu choices, and help with dietary needs.

“Delightful experience! Robert was exceptional in describing the dishes and then the accompanying wines. 5 Stars!”

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6.The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 120 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Join a Bilbao-born English-speaking guide such as Olaia, Irene, or Janire for five old-town bars, 8 to 9 pintxos, and five drink pairings. You will try traditional and competition-winning bites, learn how to order with confidence, and hear about Basque food, language, and history. Come hungry: this is dinner.

“When I booked I thought it was expensive. But we got lots of very high quality Pinchos, and enough wine, cider etc. Irene, our guide, was excellent. Full of fun and very knowledgeable and engaging.”

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7.Old Madrid Walking Food and Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 111 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $94

Meet your bilingual guide at Puerta del Sol and walk through Old Madrid, stopping at three or four tapas bars for dishes such as garlic prawns, chorizo, croquettes, mushrooms, and bravas. You receive one drink at each bar, plus optional chocolate with churros. Guides such as Carmen add local history and restaurant advice.

“The food was amazing and we learned lots and I really liked Carmen.”

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8.Food and Wine Small Group Tour from Barcelona – Maximum 8 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $240

Spend about 10 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Josep, Joseph, Anna, or Feliciano, traveling from Barcelona into Catalonia’s countryside. Taste cheese, cured meats, olive oil, fruit, cava, and wine, visit Montserrat-area villages and a winery, and eat lunch at a 16th-century farmhouse. Group size is advertised as up to eight, though the operator notes some departures may reach 16.

“The tour was outstanding: the sights, the food, the wine and learning about the history and culture of Catalunya from a wonderful guide, Jordy. Getting out of the city and eating at authentic restaurants was a great opportunity. Jordy gave us wonderful perspective on the food, the culture, the wine, the history, sports, etc. It was definitely the best tour I have taken.”

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9.Torrevieja: Local Wine and Food Tasting Tour in La Mata Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

Meet your English- or Spanish-speaking guide at La Mata Nature Park’s interpretation center for a three-hour walk along the vineyard route. You’ll see the lagoon and a 15th-century structure, then taste three organic DO Alicante wines with two olive oils, goat cheeses, and tapas. In summer, the tasting may move to the Pink Lagoon.

“De combinatie tour-proeverij was leuk. De wandeling terug uit het bos naar het startpunt redelijk lang gezien de warmte. Het was fijn geweest als dat gemeld was. Verder alles prima. Prijs aan de hoge kant.”

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10.Bilbao Pintxo Tasting Paired With Spanish Wines

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119

Walk Bilbao’s Old Town with a local guide, stopping at five traditional restaurants for pintxos paired with Spanish wines, txakoli, cider, or vermouth. You’ll pass the Arriaga Theater, Plaza Nueva, and Santiago Cathedral while learning about Basque food and city life. Guides have included Jose, Beatriz, Joshua, and Maialen.

“A superb guided tour of five Pinxtos Bars in Bilboa. The guide, Beatrice, was excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. A great way to spend an evening in Bilboa!”

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11.Markets Tour With Food and Wine Tasting Upgrade

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · from $33Best value

Walk from La Boquería through La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, and El Born with an English-speaking guide. Taste Catalan olives and local treats, then upgrade to a private tasting of cured meats, premium cheeses, tomato bread, and wine with a sommelier.

“V was an excellent guide; she provided an extensive amount of historical information mixed with recommendations for restaurants and shopping. It was a wonderful time spent.”

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