Cúrate
Spanish Tapas Meets Iberian Wine Logic
Downtown · Asheville · Spanish Tapas · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
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.
Selection Deep Dive
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.
By the Glass
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.
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