A tasting of five wines with five cheeses is a gentle, unhurried way to spend an evening in Granada. Seated at a table, usually in a small room in the centre, you try one wine and one cheese at a time while a host explains where each comes from and why they suit one another. Spain has an enormous range of wine regions, from the cool vineyards of Galicia to the sherry towns of the south and the dry plateaus of Castile, and a well chosen flight gives a short tour of the country's variety in a few glasses. The cheeses cover cow, sheep and goat milk, fresh and aged, mild and sharp. The pairing is the heart of the session. A fresh white wine lifts a young goat cheese, while a structured red calls for something aged and nutty, and a sweet wine balances a blue cheese. The host shows you how to taste: look at the colour, smell the glass, sip, hold the wine in your mouth and then taste the cheese and the wine again together. The change in flavour can be surprising, and by the end you have a practical sense of how to pair them yourself. The mood is conversational, and questions are welcome.
Format and group size
Sessions are usually held in the evening, last about an hour and a half to two hours and take place in small groups, which keeps the atmosphere friendly. Seating is at a shared table or in a lounge. Check your confirmation for the venue, the start time and whether bread, charcuterie or other snacks are included.
NaNWho it suits
The session suits adults who enjoy food and wine, and it is a pleasant couples' activity or a relaxed way to meet other travellers. It is not designed for children. If you do not drink alcohol, ask the organiser in advance whether a non-alcoholic option is possible. Dairy allergies and lactose intolerance rule out the session, as the cheeses are central to it.
Planning tips
Eat a light snack beforehand, drink water between tastings and take notes of the wines you like so you can look for them in shops. Many hosts will recommend local wine shops and bars at the end. Pair the tasting with a tapas tour on another night, or with a walk to a viewpoint before the session, and book a few days ahead at weekends and in the busy spring and autumn months.
Learning to taste
Even if you only drink wine occasionally, the session builds confidence in choosing bottles in a restaurant or shop. The host will usually encourage you to say what you taste and to disagree with the person next to you, because there is no right answer, only preference. Keep any questions about food and wine regions for the end, when the conversation is often at its liveliest.
What to expect
The experience
A seated tasting of five wines and five cheeses with a host who explains the pairings.
Best time
Early evening, before dinner or a late show.
How long
About an hour and a half to two hours.
Tips
Eat lightly beforehand, drink water and note the wines you like.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults who enjoy wine and cheese and want to learn about pairing.
- Families
- Not suitable for children; adults only.
- Couples
- A relaxed, romantic evening in a small group.
- Pair with
- A tapas tour or a flamenco show on another night.
- Time needed
- About two hours.
Good questions
How much wine is poured?+
Tasting measures, so you can try all five without a full glass of each.
Which wines will I taste?+
A mix of whites, reds and a sweet or fortified wine, mostly from Spanish regions. The exact list varies.
Can vegetarians join?+
Yes, as cheese is vegetarian-friendly in most cases, though the pairing plate may include other items. Ask the organiser.
Is it suitable for non-drinkers?+
Ask the organiser before booking whether a non-alcoholic option is available.
Is food included beyond the cheese?+
Often bread or small snacks are included. Check your confirmation.
