Running all this week, Spanish Food and Wine week is a celebration of all the wondrous food and wine offerings that Spain has to offer. From ports to pinxtos, cava to calamari, the 6th annual Spanish Food & Wine Week has it all along with its usual mix of informative and entertaining wine tastings and dinners nationwide.

Liss Ard Estate, West Cork

The stunning Liss Ard Estate in beautiful West Cork is the venue for a Spanish wine tasting dinner with Corinna Hardgrave on Thursday October 7. The six course tasting menu costs €75 per person and includes delicacies such as confit parsnip tart, hand dived scallops and razor clams. Each course is thoughtfully paired with a suitable Spanish wine. For bookings or more information see www.lissardestate.ie.

Little Mikes, Mount Merrion

After a long hiatus, Little Mikes (baby brother to the legendary Michaels) will reopen its doors just in time to celebrate Spanish Food and Wine Week. On Friday October 8 and Saturday October 9, tables of four can feast on an extensive range of Spanish wines, premium Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, Ibérico pig, octopus, deep sea Irish squid and other Spanish themed seafood dishes depending on the catch of the day. www.michaels.ie/little-mikes/

Solas Tapas Bar, Dingle

Also on Thursday October 7, Leslie Williams will host a Spanish wine dinner at Solas Tapas Bar in Dingle with a five course tasting menu with elements from Spanish and Irish cuisine prepared by Chef Nick Foley, paired with five food appropriate Spanish wines. www.solastapas.com

West Restaurant at The Twelve Hotel

On October 10, closing Spanish Food and Wine Week in style, West restaurant at The Twelve Hotel in Galway will host a journey thought Spain presented by one of Ireland’s top sommeliers Fergus O’Halloran. This special evening promises a great Spanish feast consisting of a selection of tapas and paella matched with six wines full of character from five different regions within Spain. Tickets are a very reasonable €55 and the event will take place from 5.30 – 7.30pm. For bookings see www.westrestaurant.ie.

Las Tapas de Lola, Dublin 2

It could be argued that every week is Spanish Food and Wine week at Las Tapas de Lola who have been championing Spanish foods and wines since opening their doors. An evening at Las Tapas de Lola nibbling on Boquerón’s, salted almonds and plates piled high with jamón and queso should certainly foster an appreciation for all things Spanish but add Manzanilla to the equation and you will likely graduate to a full on Spanish food and wine groupie. www.lastapasdelola.com

Elsewhere

From Wednesday to Saturday this week, lucky diners at Volpe Nera in Blackrock will be offered a glass of sherry on arrival and a glass of moscatel to finish their dinner in style; www.volpenera.ie. And for those of us who would prefer to celebrate Spanish Food and Wine week from the comfort of their own home, The Nude Wine Co. will be hosting a virtual wine course ‘The Secrets of Spain’ on Friday October 8; www.thenudewineco.ie.

Vaya con Dios.