Vermouth before lunch. Wine with everything. Barcelona figured it out.

In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Host Kevin Durkee heads to Barcelona and gets tipsy with Sommelier and Uncorked Vines Founder Javier Rocafort to explore the city through wine, vermouth, and perfectly curated food experiences.

From why European drinking culture is more social than indulgent, to how a sommelier-led tour transforms a simple bar crawl into something unforgettable — this episode is equal parts delicious and eye-opening.

Expect bold takes (yes, pa amb tomàquet is overrated), underrated gems like morcilla, and a deep dive into vermouth culture … where “let’s grab a drink” turns into a full-blown lifestyle.

Plus Kevin shares his own Barcelona finds — from award-winning cheeses and iconic markets to a glazed donut-shaped little legend you won’t forget.

Because in Barcelona … the glass isn’t just part of the meal. It is the experience.

In this episode:

• Why Barcelona drinks differently
• Spanish wine explained (region vs grape)
• Vermouth culture + how to drink it properly
• The 'Oscar' for the World's Best Cheese

And of course, Kevin shares where to eat, his favourite markets in the city, and the bites you absolutely cannot miss, including the best Quesos + Besos he’s ever had.

In Barcelona, every table tells a story … and every glass finishes it.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Barcelona
Food, wine, and why this city hits different

01:45 – Food Tours Meet Wine Tours
Why this experience flips the script

03:55 – Meet Javier from Uncorked Vines
Sommelier, storyteller, wine guide

06:30 – Global Flavours, Local Identity
Barcelona’s culinary mix

08:50 – Do Europeans Just Drink More?
Spoiler: it’s not what you think

10:15 – Bar Crawl vs Curated Experience
Why structure matters

12:00 – Building the Perfect Wine Tour
10 years of evolution

14:45 – Wine Snob or Wine Guide?
Fixing bad restaurant wine

17:00 – What Guests Actually Want
Curious drinkers, not experts

19:30 – Overrated vs Underrated Bites
• Pa amb tomàquet 👀
• Morcilla (trust the process)

22:00 – Spanish Wine 101
Region over grape

23:30 – Vermouth Culture Deep Dive
“Let’s do a vermouth” explained

27:00 – How to Drink Vermouth Properly
Olive, orange … or nothing

29:30 – Fast Food Quiz: Barcelona Edition
Cava forever. Markets. Must-eats.

33:00 – Kevin’s Barcelona Favourites
Cheese, markets, and food finds

36:00 – Sweet Treats + Take-Home Bites
Boldu donuts, jamón, olive oil

39:00 – Final Bite + What’s Next
Next stop: Singapore

If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.

If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.

And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.

Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.

Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.