Malaga is one of the cultural centres of southern Spain and it bequeathed to the world flamenco dance, cubist art and some very tasty wines. You can enjoy sweet Spanish wines when you go wine tasting in Malaga and they are the perfect accompaniment to all tapas.

Wine has been produced in Malaga for centuries by various peoples including the Phoenicians and the Moors. Despite being Arabic and forbidden by their religion the Moors were even enticed to produce and drink wine. Along with fantastic Moorish architecture it is one of the legacies which they have left to Malaga.

Most Malaga wines are made from the Muscat grape but they can also be of the Pedro Ximenez variety. They tend to be very rich with an earthy taste. Visitors to this part of Spain can visit a number of attractive and interesting Bodegas including the Antigua Casa de Guardia in the mountains of Malaga. Located high up in Axarquia amidst groves of fig trees, this is an award-winning winery which has been favoured by Isabel II, who was once Queen of Spain. In honour of her visit the Moscatel Isabel II wine was named after her. The Antigua Casa de Guardia is the oldest bodega in Malaga having been founded in 1840 and the wines are kept in oak casks.

This is just one of many worthwhile testing destinations within the Sierra Nevada and if you want to find out more about wine production in the area then the Mijas Wine Museum is the place to go. Located in San Sebastian, it is open all year around and offers introductory courses to Spanish wine as well as regular tasting sessions.

The Malaga Wine Museum

Within the province of Malaga is the town of Marbella which started life as a small fishing village and has many wine bars that serve tapas. Near to Marbella in Ojen is the Malaga wine Museum.

More than 20,000 tourists go to the museum every year and the surrounding area is where many of the best Malaga wines were created. Indeed the museum itself is a restored distillery. In the 19th century a brand of snaps was first made here which was named after its creator Pedro Morales as Pedro Morales Aguardiente de Ojen.

Malaga Restaurants

When considering which wines to drink is important to take into account what you are eating. Malaga is a seaside city in the south of Spain which has a fantastic range of local food and restaurants.

These restaurants include the famous Chiringuitos, which are beachside bars or taverns that serve freshly-caught fish. Malaga has some white wines that will go well with the catch of the day.

If you want to drink world-class wines in a star-studded setting then visit La Posada de Antonio, a restaurant which is owned by actor Antonio Banderas. The chef there prides himself on serving authentic Spanish food in conjunction with an intriguing wine list. The grilled meat and tapas are both recommended.