Ricardo Martínez

Journal

Sommelier's journal

Tasting notes, discovered wineries, unexpected pairings and reflections from Andalusia.

You read about wine here; you drink it elsewhere. If what you are looking for is a booking, these are the wine tastings in Granada I host in person —private, for groups and for companies, from €40 per guest—, the wine tasting at home with a sommelier and wine tourism in La Alpujarra and La Contraviesa.

Cata de vinos y Vermuts

Notes · 13 August 2026

Less Quantity, Higher Quality: The Role of Wine in the Era of Mindful Consumption

In the face of a global decline in alcohol consumption, wine reasserts itself not as an indulgence, but as a social, cultural, and gastronomic cornerstone. We analyze the shift toward mindful consumption: why drinking less is leading us to drink better, value origins, and embrace the art of wine tasting.

Vino de uva Vigiriega de Bodega Cuatro Vientos de Murtas (Sierra de la Contraciesa)

Wine tourism · 13 August 2026

Fresh Wines from La Alpujarra and La Contraviesa: Your Best Allies Against Summer Heat

Can you really enjoy wine during the peak of Granada's August heat? The answer sits over 1,000 meters above sea level. Discover how high altitude and mountain breezes breathe life into vibrant Vigiriega whites, crisp rosés, and light reds—perfect for cooling down summer afternoons and pairing with local gastronomy.

Bodega de altitud en Murtas, Granada

Wineries · 8 June 2026

Essential Wineries to Discover the Wines of Granada

My personal guide to the wineries that best explain the wines of Granada: high-altitude vineyards, small producers and family projects placing the province among the most authentic wine regions in southern Europe.

Imagen de Guias Granada

Pairing · 6 June 2026

Granada restaurants that genuinely champion Km0, local-sourced produce

Local produce", "proximity", "in season", "Km0"... terms that appear on every menu, yet aren't always truly honoured. I explain what honest Km0 means to me and share a few Granada restaurants that understand it from the ground up.

Viñedos de altitud en Murtas, Granada

Wine tourism · 5 June 2026

Everything You Should Know About the Wines of Granada

Granada is emerging as one of Spain's most authentic wine regions. I explain why altitude, heroic viticulture and small producers make it a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Copas de vino en una cata comparativa

Tastings · 4 June 2026

A 10-Euro Wine vs. a 100-Euro Wine: What Are You Really Paying For?

Does a 100-euro wine really taste ten times better than a 10-euro one? I unpack what actually sits behind a bottle's price —vineyard, time, scarcity, brand— and why the best wine is almost never the most expensive.

Cata de vino dirigida por Ricardo Martínez en Almuñécar

Tastings · 3 June 2026

How to Learn to Taste Wine Without Pretending to Be an Expert

Wine looks intimidating from the outside, but tasting isn't about memorizing impossible words or putting on airs. It's about learning to observe, smell and enjoy with attention. Here's where to begin, step by step and without pretension.

Mesa de maridaje en una cata privada con Ricardo Martínez

Pairing · 2 June 2026

Pairing without rules: five ideas to stop fearing wine

Forget "red with meat, white with fish". The best pairing isn't the one a manual dictates, but the one that makes sense to you. Five principles I use in every tasting so that wine stops intimidating.

Altitude wines: why Granada is Andalusia's last wine frontier

Wine tourism · 1 June 2026

Altitude wines: why Granada is Andalusia's last wine frontier

A más de mil metros, donde casi nadie plantaría una viña, Granada hace algunos de los vinos más singulares de Andalucía. Una guía corta para entender por qué la altitud cambia la copa — y por qué este territorio está reescribiendo lo que esperamos del vino del sur.

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From the page to the glass: wine tastings in Granada and Andalusia

Everything told here can be drunk. These are the experiences I host in person, each with its own length, group size and price.