Its time again to tell you on the wines of my dear Spain, As said, this goes back from my beginnings ,and I still go for them everywhere, I coming back at you with my wines news of Spain XXX . Of course post No 30 for the non Romans, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
To note, wine is an evolving market that has increasingly conscious and demanding consumers, especially with regard to quality, authenticity and sustainability. Light reds, ancestral elaborations, less alcoholic degrees, ecological awareness and a lot of white and roses are postulated as some of the oenological trends that we will see and enjoy this year 2025,
Last Thursday January 16,2025 was held the International Croquette Day and what better way to celebrate it than testing some of the most valued in the region, The croquettes of the Romero brothers -Ricardo and Mané- are, together with the potato tortilla, hit of this house in the Salamanca neighborhood and a tribute to Cádiz, their homeland. They make them a pot, with the meats and vegetables of this Gaditano stew and a touch to peppermint. After battering them with bread, they rest for about eight hours in the fridge to get a perfect frying. In Menudeo, calle José Ortega y Gasset, 68, their second dining room, they make them the same, but with Iberian ham. At calle José Ortega y Gasset, 67. Madrid,
Manuel Arenilla, formed in Echaurren, Nou Manolin and the Dani García group, is in charge of this new dining room, el Jardin de los Duques, At the Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá Hotel . In his proposal – classic Spanish cuisine with Castizos winks , there is no lack of rich croquettes that are finalists in the Madrid Fusion Contest 2025. Iberian ham, they are elaborated in a traditional way. The meat for the bechamel and the bones and part of the hoof to make a ham glace that, mixed with milk and cream, provides depth and texture to Bechamel, Check that the dough has the right thickness, add the ham and remove 10 minutes more out of the fire. They batter them in very fine bread, egg and again bread. At Cuesta de Santo Domingo, 5 and 7.
In this multispace of leisure located in the Retiro park the Florida Park which is very nostalgic for me as came first as a boy with my mom here in the 70’s, Now they sign off on one of the most demanding ham croquettes of the city. Available in the El Pabellón -restaurante a la carte and in the La Galería given to tapas and portions, Its elaboration kept a secret, as its chef, Alberto Padín tells. Thus, they infuse in the milk the bones of the ham and, to get a creamy and fluid texture the mixture with gelatin leaves is set. They also do them with choco and have a spicy touch. At Paseo de Panama, s/n inside the Retiro Park closest entry by ave Menendez Pelayo.
They are one of the star dishes of this retirement tavern -founded in 2009 by the Álvaro Castellanos and Iván Morales Tandem This is Arzábal where the bar has great prominence. Azabalera cuisine identity, its Iberian ham croquettes are made with latxa sheep’s milk, which gives it an intense flavor. Good size, they are creamy inside and crispy on the outside. Located at Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo, 13
A bit from my ancestral home, It is not necessary to leave Spain to enjoy wines that meet all the requirements to be considered heroic: to come from vineyards on slopes or terraces above 500 meters of altitude, with an inclination greater than 30%, to be worked manually and use native varieties for its elaboration, not forgetting the extreme climate. We do not say it, CERVIM (Centro de Investigación, Estudio, Salvaguarda, Coordinación y Valorización de la Viticultura de Montaña) or research center, study, safeguard, coordination and valuation of mountain viticulture, an international entity created in 1987 in order to support and defend the work and rights of the viticultors that they work this kind of land. Of course, my Canary Islands, especially Hierro, Tenerife, La Gomera and Lanzarote, offer a unique landscape with impossible vineyards in volcanic skirts and at great altitude. The official wines of the Canary Islands: https://www.canarywine.com/en/home/
Rayco Fernández created Puro Rofe in Lanzarote and subsequently expanded to El Hierro with the Bimbache project. The latter pays tribute to the former settlers of the island and highlights the uniqueness of the Canarian vineyards. Bimbache Grand Cruz del Calvario is a mixture of native varieties ecologically cultivated in one of the freshest areas of El Hierro. The winemaking is simple, with fermentation in barrels using native yeasts and parenting on lines for nine months. The result is an elegant and vibrant wine that reflects the unique character of the island and reaffirms the wine potential of the Canary Islands. Heroic viticulture in Gomera not only preserves a centenary tradition, but also contributes to the biodiversity and uniqueness of a unique natural enclave. The Gomera forastera, endemic grape of the third smallest island in the Canarian archipelago, is the protagonist of the vineyards. This variety, with more than 500 years of history, is cultivated in extreme conditions, on steep slopes with slopes of 30-45% and an altitude that exceeds 1000 meters. The viticultors of yesteryear challenged vertigo on terraces to care for and collect these unique grapes. The winemaker Gloria Negrín, soul of the Altos de Chipude winery, recovers the legacy of her ancestors and prepares exceptional wines such as Rajadero, which value this variety almost unknown in a hectare of old vineyards at 1,253 meters of altitude in the heart of the National park Garajonay. A small oenological project that seeks to highlight the potential of this exceptional grape, producing wines that reflect the wild and changing personality of Gomera. In Tenerife, viticulture is considered extreme due to the challenging conditions in which grapes are grown. On this Canarian island, vineyards can be found up to 1,700 meters above sea level and in slopes greater than 30%. A prominent wine from this region is Linaje del Pago Malvasía, produced by the winery of the same name under the umbrella of the D.O.P. Canary Islands. An exceptional target awarded by the Mondial Des Vins Extrêmes, which recognizes the best wines from the world’s heroic viticulture, which highlights the quality of the island’s wines and the lineage commitment to pay with heroic viticulture. Lanzarote heroic viticulture is characterized by extreme cultivation conditions in a unique volcanic landscape.The production of Lanzarote wines, with their landscape of excavated holes in the volcanic land of Geria, reflects the extraordinary effort of the island’s wine growers and winemakers to create world quality references in a challenging environment. Ariana, from Bodegas El Grifo, is a good example of this winery’s ability to make the impossible possible: to grow grape where nothing can grow. A Canarian red that combines Black Listan and Syrah with mastery, mature and balanced thanks to its raising in oak, which won a Gran gold medal at the Mondial Des Vens Extrêmes in 2023.
And a look taste of my first bodega wine experience ever, way back as a boy given a sip by my maternal grandmother Amparo from Pajarà Tenerife!! Do try them they are all good from the Marqués de Riscal. Barón de Chirel, This red -inspired redness and Rioja soul has been having the standards since 1986. Old vineyards grant a highest quality grape that performs a 16 -month breeding in French oak. Cedar nuances, male perfumery, in the mouth it is concentrated but elegant, with the finer brand of the house. Year: 2019 –
Marqués de Riscal Reserva , Pioneers in the modernization of oenology, are immersed in projects to extend the life of the vineyard. Based on Tempranillo and a small contribution from Graciano, the mature wine 22 months in American barrel. Dark, with plum, cherry in liquor, Havano(cigar) and Goulash, is corpulent and robust. year: 2020.
XR Rosé de Marqués de Riscal, Marqués de Riscal elaborates this rosé classic cut seeking to capture the singularity of both the vineyard and the varieties. The aromas of red fruit stand out, its vibrant acidity combined with the house brand elegance makes it a perfect ally for enjoyment. year: 2023
The above from Denomination: Rioja – Variety: Tempranillo from Bodega Marqués de Riscal – Elciego province of Álava , Pais Vasco region, Official https://tienda.marquesderiscal.com/vinos-tintos
A newer but another great family of winemakers, show us the Arzuaga Crianza,,, Arzuaga elaborates its upbringing with the vineyards of the oldest part of the farm; cultivated at 911 meters of altitude. Sixteen months of parenting in French and American oak barrels to assemble this wine, faithful representative of his style. Fruit, black, torrefacture and coffee notes, friendly and inviting texture year: 2022. Arzuaga Reserva memorable blend in Rioja that the Altanza family has managed to capture with great certainty. True to its origins, with a upbringing that combines the barrel of French oak with tinners. Modern cut in which black fruit and sweet spices predominates, it is enjoyable from the first sip. Year 2021, Denomination: Ribera del Duero – Variety: Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon – Bodegas Arzuaga – Quintanilla de Onésimo province of Valladolid, Castilla y Léon region, Official Arzuaga : https://tienda.arzuaganavarro.com/
There you go folks, another wonderful post on my dear Spanish wines. Hoping for a long lasting memories of my dear Spain and its wine news. Again, hope you enjoy the series of wines news of Spain as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 