We love walking through the vineyard and getting to know it.
Who said wine was only for accompanying food? We love it in a glass, but it also has a lot to offer in the kitchen. And that's precisely what the 1st National Cooking with Wine Competition 2026, which has already chosen its ten finalists.
The next October 27, Gastronoma Valencia It will become the stage for a very special competition: ten chefs, ten recipes, and one ingredient we know very well. Wine!
And watch out, because in Cooking with Wine 2026 there is nothing less than 10,000 euros in prizes.
The first edition of the Cooking with Wine Competition 2026, organized by the Spanish Association of Journalists and Writers of Wine and Spirits (AEPEV) and Gastronoma, has sparked the interest of chefs from different parts of Spain.
After evaluating 49 recipes, the jury has selected ten proposals that stand out for their creativity, technique and, above all, for the way in which wine is integrated into the preparation.
The finalists of Cocina con Vino 2026 come from five autonomous communities: Valencian Community, Region of Murcia, Catalonia, Canary Islands and Castilla y León.
And what's most interesting is the variety of their proposals.
The selected dishes include an appetizer, three first courses, four main courses, and two desserts. Because yes, Wine also has a lot to say when it comes to dessert..
When we think about cooking with wine, we probably think of traditional recipes such as beef cheeks in red wine, a stew or a reduced sauce.
But the possibilities go far beyond that.
The participants have chosen white wines, red wines and even a palo cortado, from different Spanish wine-growing regions, such as Alicante, Valencia, Tarragona, Sherry or the Güímar Valley, in Tenerife.
And here's one of the things we like most about this initiative: to remind us that each wine can bring something different to a recipe.
A white wine can contribute freshness and acidity. A red wine can contribute structure and aromatic nuances. And a fortified wine, like a palo cortado, can offer extraordinary complexity.
However, it's not simply a matter of adding a splash of wine to the pot. It's about understanding what it contributes, how it integrates with the ingredients, and what happens during cooking.
Because cooking with wine is also a way to get to know it. And in this case, we do mean that wine is a fundamental ingredient in the recipe, although we also really enjoy cooking with a glass of wine in hand.
The ten finalists will have to demonstrate their talent live during Gastrónoma, the Mediterranean Gastronomic Fair, which is held at Feria Valencia.
There they will prepare their recipes before a jury made up of culinary professionals, food journalists and wine specialists.
And they will have an important incentive: a total of 10,000 euros distributed among the top three finishers.
The competition is officially sponsored by the Spanish Interprofessional Wine Organization (OIVE) and La Prensa del Rioja is the official media outlet.
At Entre Cepas, we believe that wine is much more than a beverage. It is culture, territory, gastronomy, and above all, an inexhaustible source of experiences.
We are used to talking about pairings, how to choose the wine for a dish or which bottle to open on a special occasion.
But what if we change the rules of the game? Cocina con Vino 2026 has done just that.
What if, instead of looking for a wine to accompany a recipe, we create a recipe around a wine?
We find that change of perspective particularly interesting.
Because it invites you to experiment, to discover new flavors and to approach wine from a different perspective, without needing to know about varieties, designations of origin or tasting techniques.
Furthermore, initiatives such as Cocina con Vino 2026 help to reinforce something we consider fundamental: the link between wine and our gastronomy.
We already told you about initiative Since we met her, we have followed with interest this first edition of the Cooking with Wine Competition 2026 and we will be waiting to find out the winning recipes.
Meanwhile, we leave you with a small suggestion.
The next time you open a bottle to cook, don't just think about how much wine the recipe needs.
Also consider their aromas, their acidity, their structure, and how they can transform the final result.
And of course, reserve a glass to enjoy it at the table.
Because wine is drunk, shared, discovered… and also eaten!
And you? Do you have any special recipes where wine is essential? We'd love to hear about them.
To learn more:
We love walking through the vineyard and getting to know it.
The 2026 harvest has left us
Discover the ten finalists of the Cooking Competition
A unique opportunity for the sector of