Spanish Tapas Meets Iberian Wine Logic
Downtown · Asheville · Spanish Tapas · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Cúrate’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
Cúrate's wine list follows the food: Spanish-focused, approachable, and built for sharing plates. The selection leans heavily into Iberian Peninsula classics without pretension, which makes sense given the tapas-forward menu. It's not trying to be a wine bar, but the list shows more thought than most tapas joints in the region.
The focus is Spain through and through — Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Albariño from Rías Baixas, and a healthy selection of Tempranillo at various price points. You'll find solid producers without venturing into trophy bottles: think Campo Viejo, Marqués de Cáceres, and similar crowd-pleasers that deliver without demanding wine-nerd credentials. A few Portuguese entries round out the Iberian theme, and there's a token California section for those who can't leave home behind. The list isn't deep, but it's cohesive and makes sense with what's on the plate.
The glass pour selection sticks to Spanish staples — Albariño, Verdejo, Rioja, maybe a Garnacha. Expect 6-8 options that rotate occasionally but don't push boundaries. These are safe picks designed to complement patatas bravas and jamón without overshadowing the food. Portions are standard 5-6oz pours at prices that won't make you wince, though nothing feels like a steal.
Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva — $48
Classic Tempranillo that delivers age-worthy structure and oak integration without the premium Riojas' markup — drinks like a $70 bottle
Telmo Rodriguez 'Basa' Rueda
Most people default to Albariño, but this Verdejo has more complexity and backbone — citrus, herbs, and a mineral edge that cuts through olive oil like nobody's business
Generic House Cava
At $38-42 a bottle, you're paying Spanish restaurant tax for bubbles you can find at Trader Joe's for $12 — save it for cocktails
Descendientes de J. Palacios 'Pétalos' Bierzo + Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician Octopus)
Mencía's bright red fruit and mineral edge mirror the smokiness of the paprika and don't fight the tender octopus — classic regional logic
The Bottom Line
Cúrate keeps it honest: a Spanish wine list for Spanish food without trying to be more than it needs to be. You won't find rare finds or steal pricing, but you also won't get gouged or confused. For Asheville tapas, it does the job.
Downtown Asheville · Asheville · Farm to Table
The Blackbird is doing wine right in a town that's more known for craft beer — there's a real sommelier (Sarah Reder) behind this list and it shows. Send your wine-curious friends here without hesitation.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · American
Vue 1913 is a reliable wine destination for guests who know what they like and want to drink it with a jaw-dropping view — just don't expect the list to push you anywhere new. Send your California Cab-loving friends here without hesitation; send your natural wine friends somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Grove Park · Asheville · Regional
Sunset Terrace isn't a wine destination — it's a destination where wine happens to be available and handled competently. Come for the mountains and the steak, order the Ridge or the Sonoma-Cutrer, and enjoy the fact that at least nobody's pouring you something terrible.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Asheville · Asheville · American, Farm to Table
Jargon is doing something real with wine in a neighborhood that doesn't demand it, and that's exactly why it deserves your attention. Send a friend here — just tell them to skip the Napa Cab and ask about the Minervois.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Asheville · Asheville · American
The Dining Room is genuinely worth the trip, and not just because of the mansion backdrop — the sommelier team is real, the cellar is serious, and Wednesday half-price wine night turns a splurge into a steal. Markups on the prestige bottles are steep, but the overall program earns its Best of Award of Excellence.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · Middle Eastern
Jerusalem Garden Cafe does Middle Eastern food well, but the wine program is non-existent. Stick to the Turkish coffee or mint tea and save your wine budget for literally anywhere else in Asheville.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Red Flag
MIA
Set & Forget
Hot Mess
Belmont · Charlottesville · Spanish Tapas
Mas Tapas is the kind of place that earns a Wild Card badge because nobody walks in expecting a 2008 Priorat and a serious Galician white selection in a Belmont neighborhood spot. The markups keep it from being a destination for bottle hunters, but the by-the-glass depth and Spain-first focus make it one of the more interesting wine experiences in Charlottesville.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Evanston · Evanston · Spanish Tapas
Tapas Barcelona isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its focused Spanish list, fair pricing, and all-day glass pours make it an easy neighborhood win. Send a friend here if they want good wine with their tapas without overthinking it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Spanish Tapas
Aventura isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its all-Spain list is focused and fairly priced in a way that makes the wine program feel like an asset rather than an afterthought. Take a date, order the Albariño, and work through the tapas menu.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
