Wine Fair in Falset – the Gateway to the Priorat
This weekend 1st and 2nd of May is the annual wine fair in Falset. Falset is a pretty market town of barely 3000 inhabitants which is the capital of the Priorat region. During this weekend it becomes a showcase for the wines of the Priorat and Montsant and is attended by professionals in the industry as well as the ordinary wine consumer or tourist . The centre of town is lined with stands representing the many cellars of the area. You can wander freely and enjoy the atmosphere but if you want to sample the wine you will need to buy a ticket which will entitle you to a set amount of “tastings “of your choice. In addition to the stands there are several events going on around the town and in the villages. The programme is as follows: SATURDAY 1st MAY 11.00: Official opening at Falset Town Hall 16.30: Tasting of vintages 2008 DO Montsant and DOQ Priorat 18.00: Tasting with Wolves. Third “tast amb llops” of the village wines in Gratallops village with live music 50E 18.00: Tasting of great white wines of the world by distinguished sommelier. Artesana theatre Falset. (+34) 977831835 20.00: VideNit (Wines by night) Great garage wines of Montsant offer a tasting at Mas Figueres, village of Marca 21.00: Tango show with wine and Argentinian “empanadas” (little pies) at Avia Porota Restaurant. Reservations (+34) 977831281 23.30: Soul Machine. 10 years celebration of this band. Falset Sports Pavilion. 5E SUNDAY 2nd MAY 10.00: Decade Tasting. Wines from 2000 vintage will be tasted. 11.00: Wine Cuisine Cooking Competition. Town Hall Square 11.00 – 15.00: Tasting at the Mines. Bellmunt Mining Museum 11.00: Tasting of Torroja del Priorat Wines. Cal Compte stately home, Torroja 18.00: Tasting of sweet wines with tea and cakes. Avia Porota Restaurant. (+3) 977831281 20.00: Pairing of Xocovic Chocolates with wines and spirits. Followed by informal supper. Quinoa Restaurant, Falset. (+34) 97783031 OTHER EVENTS
- Olive oil fair throughout the days of the wine fair. Introduction to Olive Oil Tasting
- Fast-track wine tastin courses throughout the weekend
- Agricola Falset-Marca Winery. Exhibitions: Monastical Images. Dry stone walling
- Exhibition of classic cars in front of Falset-Marca winery
- Exhibition of drawings and poems “The faces of wine” Falset castle
- Exhibition of artists of the Priorat. Casal d’Avi, Falset
- Open-doors of the participating wineries of the “Wine Route”
As for me – well on Saturday I’ll be wandering the wine stands, calling in on the art exhibitons and hopefully getting in a cellar tour of the one of the wineries. Saturday night I’ll definitely be dancing my old feet off to Soul Machine, a great band that we’ve seen many times on the fiesta circuit! Hope you make it to the fair over the weekend – it’s a great atmosphere! 
