Viña Mayor has been a leading brand from DO Ribera de Duero for over 20 years, and today offers premium wines from DO Toro and DO Rueda as well. First taste wasn’t too promising when I first tried it, but the bottle had only just been opened, so after 30 mins and the first mouthful [...]
Spanish Red Wine: Viña Mayor 2006
July 14th, 2010Moscatel Naranja
July 11th, 2010I am not a huge fan of dessert or sweet wines, tending to find them an unnecessary delay in the transition from red wine to brandy, and as I am usually left with the task of finishing off the bottle of red wine, I rarely have a desire or need to try a desert wine. [...]
Costa Almeria Living: Local Politics – Love it or Hate it, it is part of life!
July 1st, 2010Arguably the most significant event in the last two weeks in our neck of the woods has been the release on 300.000€ bail of Mayor Juan Enciso, jailed in October 2009 on alleged corruption charges, and released from prison in Granada on June 15th having handed in his passport and promised to report in person [...]
2003 Terra Alta Gran Reserva
June 28th, 2010A friend brought this bottle of 2003 Terra Alta Gran Reserva round recently, and I must confess that my initial reaction when looking at the bottle with it’s gold braid and deep red label was that here was a bottle of wine that was trying too hard too look expensive. Now I always drink wine [...]
Politics: Six of One, Half a Dozen of the other!
June 24th, 2010Wage cuts, more unemployment, cuts in public spending ……. wherever you look the headlines don’t make good reading, regardless of whether you are in Spain or in the UK at the moment. A couple of things spring to mind when looking at the current political and economic situation here in Spain: firstly, I wonder what [...]
Cune Rioja 2007 Crianza
June 23rd, 2010It is easy to get into habits in life, and once you have found a few bottles of Red Wine that you like it is remarkably easy to just stick with them. To that end we have got into the habit of effectively blind grabbing new bottles every now and again. A long time ago [...]
Sailors Clams: With Red Wine
June 22nd, 2010Sailors Clams are a pretty regular dish in our house, as I love them, Sands likes them, and they are very easy to cook. They have become a favourite snack in an evening watching a movie or at the moment the World Cup. Anyway last night I went to make some and horror of horrors, [...]
iWine
June 19th, 2010This has to be the coolest bottle of wine that I have come across in a long time. I haven’t had the chance to try it, but Jose at La Solea had just received a case when I was in last week, so there is a bottle chilling with my name on it! iWine se [...]
Culmen Reserva 2001 Rioja
June 2nd, 2010Last month we had the opportunity to taste a number of wines from the Bodegas LAN. We reviewed the wines at the time, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening, which was facilitated by El Arroz, and funded by the Bodega LAN. There were a couple of wines that weren’t available to try, including the top of [...]
Walking the Talk: Rocky Dawuni, Humanitarian Reggae Rebel, Unites Ghanaian Roots with Global Soul
June 1st, 2010Rocky Dawuni walks the talk. Fist held high and dreadlocks flowing, the Ghanaian reggae artist is a rebel among rebels, tackling serious social issues with uplifting ballads and reggae rockers. All while working to challenge everything from infectious diseases to clean water to poverty across the rural communities of his homeland. On Hymns for the [...]
Imperial Reserve 2004
May 31st, 2010This is a truly classic Rioja, but expect to pay 20€+ a bottle, for this exceptionally smooth wine. Aged for over 30 months in oak barrels it is not a wine to rush, or be rushed over. It is a very versatile wine that you can drink throughout a typically Spanish meal, so is good [...]
First Communion In Spain
May 30th, 2010Last night Sands and I popped down to the marina with a friend for a quiet dinner. Thought we would go to Restaurante Gourmet but it was full, inside and outside with two First Communion celebrations. As I understand it the first communion takes place when you are 10 years old, and the celebration has [...]
Bodega Abadia Retuerta
May 28th, 2010Last night we went along to the Restaurante La Solea to taste the wines of the Bodega Abadía Retuerta over an excellent Menú Degustación. La Solea offer a 50€ Menú Degustación all the time which includes all the wine you want to drink which is good value and an excellent way to taste a range [...]
Costa Almeria Living: Gourmet Tapas All The Rage
May 27th, 2010We are still lucky enough across most places in Andalucia to benefit from a free Tapas with a beer, wine or musto (non alcoholic grape juice). In a Tapas Bar this tends to take the form of a menu of up to 20 different tapas options that you choose from, whereas in a restaurant they [...]
Watch out! Here they Come Again! A Tiny West African Nation Inspires a Politically Provocative Afro-Rock Re-invention
May 25th, 2010In the political maelstrom of Washington D.C., where Dr. King marched for civil rights, where soldiers vigorously protested Vietnam, and thousands continue to speak truth to power on the steps of the nation’s capitol, an adamant African voice exclaims, “Adje! Adje,” urging people to take action against social injustices. From atop a smoldering, Afro-rock soapbox, [...]
Pan con Tomate y Jamón
May 22nd, 2010Without doubt one of our favourite breakfasts, especially with a fresh orange juice and a nice espresso coffee, it is a dish that captures the essence of Spanish cuisine perfecty! A feature of Spanish food is the time allocated to it. Not just the consumption but the preparation and purchase of the ingredients. I once [...]
