Categories
Food and drink Uncategorized

Feria Del Vino 2023, Mallorca!

Last week I was delighted to attend the Mallorca Wine Fair in Pollença, which is in the north of the gorgeous Balearic Island of Mallorca. Yes, it is spelt Majorca in English!

Fira Del Vi, Mallorca

Does Mallorca make wine? This is a question I get asked a lot by friends, clients, and my social media followers, and the answer is YES, IT DOES!!

For those of you who are reading this and are new to Lingo Vino, welcome! My name is Laura, and I am fortunate to work in the wine industry and my niche is Spanish wines. I love what Spain has to offer as a wine-producing country, the various wine styles, the vast number of indigenous grapes, the history, geography, and let’s not forget the idyllic climate! Pairing these wines with a local delicacy is just a match made in heaven!

So, getting back to this incredible event I attended. As soon as I saw the date confirmed for the Feria del Vino, or La Fira del Vi as they say on the island, I booked my flights. This year is the first year since Covid 19 that they have been able to hold the event in the Sant Domingo Cloister, 2023 also marks 20 years since the launch of the wine fair. This year the event took place on Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of May, and you don’t have to attend both days, I just went from 12-4 pm on Saturday. This is apparently the best time to go too! It cost 15 euros to enter and for this, you get given your own fabulous wine glass and a 5 euro voucher which can be used when you purchase a bottle of wine during the event.

Turning up on my own wasn’t daunting at all as I already knew some of the winemakers who would be showcasing their wines and I was excited to mingle and meet new contacts and potential clients. I was obviously dying to taste all the wines too! The weather was just perfect and surrounding the venue, amongst the tiny, cobbled streets of this quaint village, were beautiful boutiques, local ‘vinotecas’, and a food stand with traditional Mallorquin delights; empanadas and Coca De Trampó (Mallorcan vegetable flatbread). Outside was also an area for the ‘Bodegas’ (wineries) to take attendees through a tasting of some wines from their portfolio and answer any questions.

Lingo Vino

As I wandered around, in awe of the whole experience, in quite high wedges which looked great, but not recommended on the cobbles whilst consuming alcohol, they had local musicians serenading us. It was just amazing, everything I love wine, music, and food! In total there were 39 wineries that were presenting their wines at the fair, from the main wine-making areas of DO Pla i Llevant, DO Binissalem and VT Mallorca, plus one from DO Montsant, Cataluña. It was great catching up with Bodegas Angel, Miquel Oliver, and Jose L. Ferrer.

Bodegas Angel

Which wines did I enjoy…?

I am a big lover of the red wines from Mallorca with the local grapes Manto Negro and Callet. During the event, I went out of my way to try more of the whites and rosé wines and the odd bottle of Sparking wine too! The rosés were what took me by surprise the most. They were paler than I would have expected with intriguing personalities.  Provencal style, but were packed with lots of exciting fruit flavours, a decent body, and a superb bright acidity, bringing balance to the palate. One of my favourite rosé wines of the day was by Can Axartell. Check out the link below!

CAN AXARTELL – Vi de la terra Mallorca

Bodegas Miquel Oliver

I did purchase a beautiful bottle of Sparkling Wine, but that will be revealed in another post!

If you are heading to Mallorca this Summer, Lingo Vino knows all the top wineries and all the incredible wine & food experiences the island has to offer. For more wine tips follow @lingovino on all social media platforms.

¡Hasta pronto!

Laura.

Links to the wineries mentioned in the text:

Miquel Oliver – Viñas y bodegas

Bodegas Angel – Vinos de Mallorca, Bodegas Ángel

Bodegas José L. Ferrer (vinosferrer.com)

Categories
Food and drink

Lunya Liverpool – Lunya, The Best Tapas in Town!

The 5th and 6th of January are very important days around some parts of the world, especially in Spain! I have spent many years being part of the excitement and hustle and bustle inside El Corte Inglés in both Madrid and Mallorca, shopping for gifts to exchange on the 6th of January, known as ‘Día de Los Reyes’ ‘Kings Day’.

Standing in the crowds on the 5th of January, witnessing the famous ‘Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos’ (the 3 kings parade) is magical!! Even for adults! Sweets are thrown to the children waiting for a glimpse of the 3 Kings, then they rush home for an early night, and wake up the next day to all their presents from the Kings.

This year, I spent Kings Day in the U.K, so wanting to feel in the Spanish mood, I decided to take my Dad for a Spanish lunch at the incredible Lunya, on Hanover Street in Liverpool. What an experience for anyone who wants outstanding Spanish cuisine, great service and staff, and a wine list to die for!! I could have spent the whole day and night doing wine flights with different tapas and desserts.

You will all know what I mean when I say ‘tapas’ in the UK are never like what you get in Spain. Well, I have been proven wrong. This Catalan deli, restaurant, and bar, offers the most incredible selection of Catalan and Spanish culinary delights across the UK and further afield. As soon as I saw the hanging hams, I got a good feeling, and when I was greeted by the talented and knowledgeable owner Peter Kinsella himself, I knew I was in for an unforgettable treat! Peter shares the same passion as I do, for all things food, wine, and culture. A fascinating and inspirational story behind the business which both Peter and his wife Elaine have successfully set-up.

What’s in my wine glass?

So, what did I order?!! A lot! Let’s talk wine, I started on their award-winning Cava- Loxarel Saniger Brut Reserva. Then I chose a ‘vino tinto’ I chose this red wine because of the name ‘Fancy Pants Old Vine Garnacha D.O Cariñena’. What a red! Bold, jammy, juicy, and complex. I then finished on a sweet style sherry called Noé which is a 30-year-old Pedro Ximenez. Rich, nutty, and luscious on the finish.

…And on my plate?!

What food could I possibly pair with these delightful wines? Well, I ordered quite a selection. We started on the mixed olives and encurtidos, the Catalan tomato bread, and Serrano ham. Swiftly I dived into the Dirty Bravas, Gambas Pil Pil, Chestnut mushrooms, Pan-fried Broccoli, and last but not least the Calamari. This Calamari is by far the most delicious and fresh I have tasted in the UK. So much so, I had to ask the source, should have known- WardsFish – Wards Fish Online supply them. The finest fishmonger, game, and poultry specialist in town!

What to pair with a sweet style Sherry?

To bring this fine experience to an end, and more importantly to pair with my 30-year-old Noé Pedro Ximenez Sherry, I ordered the Almond cake and ice-cream. Yes, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! You can even see the legs on the photo.

I will be visiting Lunya again soon, it’s a dose of Spanish therapy for me! I even bought some cheese and wine from the Deli. If you are looking to recreate some memorable Spanish food and wine moments, go to Lunya Liverpool – Lunya. The staff are exceptional too! For now ‘adiós’, and if you love all things wine and food, follow me Laura | Wine Communicator| Owner @lingovino (@lingovino) • Instagram photos and videos on all social media for more content and experiences.

Next Blog will be live in 2 weeks!

Categories
Food and drink

Paella Wine Pairing

‘Paella’: just hearing this word being pronounced in Spanish makes me feel hungry, and automatically I start thinking of the array of wine styles that would pair deliciously with this typical Spanish dish, obbvioulsy depending on the desired ingredients! So, is there an ideal wine to pair with this exquisite, traditional, Spanish dish?

 Let’s face it Cava, would pair with most Spanish dishes, with its crisp acidity, salinity, and ripe fruit aromas, it’s a winner all round! A rosé wine, especially Spanish or Portuguese style, would also pair wonderfully, with their more vivacious personalities, not-so-shy red fruit characteristics and fuller body on the palate. Definitely reach for a rosé if you have some chicken (or chorizo, as they throw in here in the U.K!)

 In terms of still whites, Verdejo, Airén, Viura, a gorgeous Albariño, or a fuller-bodied white Rioja, these will all go down a treat due to their freshness, and vibrant fruit aromas. Red wines, well, let’s just say, it’s not just Rioja for Spanish reds, other regions with high-quality red wines are found all over Spain in regions such as, Toro, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. One of my favourite black grapes is Monastrell (Mourvèdre in French), this would be great with a ‘Paella de Carne’ (traditional meat Paella) due to its meaty texture, robust tannins, and herbaceous bouquet.

Don’t forget, there are rules of thumb with food and wine pairings, but you do also have to sip something that excites you as a wine drinker, you need to enjoy the moment, so although the science may work, if your palate cries out for rose and only ever rosé wine, then have a rosé! That’s the beauty of food and wine, it’s all about the pleasure, the moment, and who you choose to share that with, if anyone!!

This brings me to my recent Paella experience on the beautiful island of Mallorca. Paella from my favourite ‘Just Enmig’ restaurant in Can Pastilla. I went for a mixed Paella this time, and it was gorgeous. For my wine pairing, I chose a still, dry, white wine called Can Rubi La Mar de Bé, Sauvignon Blanc. I chose this wine as it is ‘Vi de la Tierra Mallorca’, a wine grown in the vineyards of Mallorca, and the Sauvignon Blanc grape is so aromatic and fruity, that it contrasts perfectly with the seafood flavours and the sea-kissed characteristics of the dish. The tremendous acidity is great with the fatty texture of the meat. The wine also displays hints of dried citrus, vanilla, and a slight almond finish.  And…just look at the label!! It cries out to be paired with a seafood-inspired dish.

The sun was shining, the view was incredible, and the food and wine were a match made in Spanish heaven! Exactly how wine should be enjoyed. As much as I loved this wine choice with the mixed paella, my all-time favourite wine & paella pairing is the exceptional, award-winning sparkling wine from the family-run winery Bodega Vega Tolosa:

Vega Tolosa Brut Nature Chardonnay Gran Cuvéé, Vegan and Organic.

100% Chardonnay

D.O.P Manchuela

Spain.

Paired with; Paella de Marisco/Seafood Paella

Limited edition, 18 months bottle ageing, traditional method.

This was definitely the type of wine you will always remember, which expresses the traditions of 5 generations working hard to create the perfect bottle of bubbles! Caring for the environment, and the palate! Do have a look at this fantastic winery Inicio – Vega Tolosa, I have never been disappointed with any of their wines!

Don’t forget, to keep up-to-date on all things wine, follow my on all Social Media platforms, I have even just started a ‘Lingo Vino Wine Time’ channel on YouTube. Or, even better, if you want to learn more about wine, join me on one of my regular Wine Club’s, or book a home wine tasting party; in person or virtual!

Email me at laura@lingovino.vin to find out more information.

Categories
Uncategorized

A Red Wine For Springtime

Have you always thought red wine is just to be enjoyed in winter, sipping by the fire all cosy and warm? Well, believe it or not, there are red wines for all seasons, and you can even chill some of them, which are perfect on a summer’s day!

Whether you are a fan of red wine or not, this ‘vino tinto’ that I am introducing you to today, is a winner for all palates.

I had the pleasure of tasting the other week a red wine that was made in Can Pizà Boutique Winery on the island of Mallorca, which is a winery very close to my heart, and I have learned so much from the team there and continue to do so!! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Can Pizà, you need to pay them a visit!! A hidden gem on the island of Mallorca, with breath-taking views and more importantly unique wines. It’s a certified organic winery that dates back to 1626, and when you arrive you actually are taken back in time to its historical roots. In an idyllic setting, with some fantastic modern winemaking techniques, you really get to see the Mallorca wine industry at its finest.

This particular red wine, is made from the most widespread, indigenous Mallorcan grape varietal called Manto Negro (I am a huge fan of this varietal!) It also has great importance in the DO Binissalem, which produces some of the best wines in Mallorca.

What made this wine even more intriguing, was the fact that it had been bottled without any ageing or oak contact. The idea behind the wine is to let the grape do the talking, without any interference from the winemaker, oak or any other further ageing. Therefore, the flavour characteristics that some people would associate with a Spanish red wine; vanilla, leather, cloves, cigar box etc, are non-existent. Watch this space!!! If you love a Beaujolais Nouveau, well this literally outshines any Beaujolais Nouveau I have tasted.

Light, ruby red colour, with mesmerising purple undertones. For a lighter, unoaked style of wine, it had a decent body. High alcohol and a rich texture on the palate with captivating flavour characteristics. Ripe red berries, raspberries, blueberries, baked black cherries, chocolate, bramble, violets, very fruit driven.  A nice little finish, and it paired great with the Pizza.

You may be thinking why Pizza? The pizzas I ordered were thin based, no cheese and the toppings were ideal for a cheeky red wine (one was seafood, and the other was ham and mushroom). I broke all pizza rules without the cheese, so what better to pair it with than a red wine which is also breaking the rules?! Other pairing suggestions include chicken wings, BBQ chicken, traditional Mallorcan dishes such as Frit Mallorquí and Coca de Trampó.  Ideal whilst sitting on your balcony, or, in the garden, some bread and aioli, cured meats and some Mallorcan cured cheese Grimalt!

Exciting things to come from this wine, and from this incredible winery. I also have a bottle of white wine from them, which I will be tasting in the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for the tatsing notes!

If you are wanting to check this vineyard out for yourself, drop me an email at laura@lingovino.vin, and I will point you in the right direction and give you some tips!! Likewise, if you are planning a trip to the wonderful island of Palma de Mallorca this year and would like to know how to discover the best of the local wine and cuisine, get in touch!

Categories
Uncategorized

Top 5 food and wine experiences in Palma this week!

The Magic of Mallorca- My top 5 food & wine experiences in Palma this week, there’s something for everyone!

I finally arrived on the gorgeous island of Mallorca last Monday and headed straight to the seafront to enjoy a crisp and bubbly glass of Cava! First, post lockdown holiday with my mum, and it was very much needed! My main goal this holiday was to try some new food and wine pairings, discover some new restaurants and bars, and speak as much Spanish as possible!! I also wanted to relax admiring the spectacular sea views. I can happily say that all these goals were well and truly accomplished! Check out my top 5 experiences.

  1. The Sky Bar at the top of the 4* Hotel Almudania in Palma, on Avenida Jaime III. The hotel itself is in the middle of some of the top designer boutiques and shops, and the Sky Bar is on the 8th floor of this quaint hotel.  As soon as you get to the 8th floor you walk into the Hotel’s fine restaurant which has a fantastic fusion-inspired menu. We didn’t dine, but we did enjoy a ‘Copita de Cava’ in the ‘Bar Salon’, admiring the most incredible views of this wonderful city. To the left, we had Palma Cathedral and to the right, we could see the Castillo de Bellver (the Bellver Castle). We stopped after 2 glasses of Cava, as the stairs to get to the top of the roof terrace were extremely narrow and steep! Apart from the magnificent views, what I also loved about this small but picturesque terrace, was how diverse the clientele was. There were holidaymakers, office workers, students, and mum and I! Great to see people being able to embrace life and each other again. Peaceful atmosphere, delicious Cava, and if you are heading to Palma for a girl’s trip or a romantic break, it’s the perfect place to make memories.

2. Restaurante Pesquero in Palma, located in Muelle de La Lonja. With over 60 years of experience, this emblematic venue with idyllic views of the sea and local fishing boats can offer an array of dishes to suit all tastes and all occasions. It also has a fabulous wine list, which I had to dive into first! Glass of Cava on arrival, followed by Mar de Frades Albariño. A dry, crisp, and zesty white wine from Rías Baixas. Full of lime, lemon zest, and peach aromas, perfect with seafood.

For lunch, we ordered ‘Chipirones Fritos’ fried baby squid and the most incredible ‘Langostinos a la Plancha’ grilled king prawns. Delicious!! There will definitely be a next visit to this venue, and next time I will be exploring some of the rice dishes and more of the local wines to pair with them!

3. Restaurante Just Enmig in Cala Estancia, offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine since 1995! Family run and I have been going with my family since I was 12! Lots of memories have been made in this wonderful venue, which is blessed with the most gorgeous views of Cala Estancia beach. Serving the best Paella on the island, as well as other fish, meat dishes, and salads. I always opt for the seafood Paella. They also offer a takeaway service too, which means we were able to enjoy this tasty Spanish dish on our terrace with a nice bottle of Cava. Great G&Ts too!!

4. La Taberna, which is in Can Pastilla, is a typical Spanish tapas bar, full of interesting local characters and lots of fantastic wines! I was in my element. To start we had a glass of Bodegas Sumarroca, Cava Brut and Brut Rosé. I also sampled 2 glasses of Mont Ferrutx. A fantastic red wine, a blend of indigenous Majorcan grapes Callet, Manto Negro, and Fogoneu by Bodegas Miquel Oliver. We ordered some tapas; jamón serrano, patatas bravas, garlic prawns. What made this place memorable for me was the atmosphere and the staff who were so welcoming and invited me back to try more wines next time!

5. Finally, El Pizzero, another new experience for us this time, is a great place to order pizza from when you just feel like chilling at home with a nice bottle of local wine. Speaking of wine, I was gifted a beautiful bottle of Manto Negro from Can Piza Boutique Winery, more about this wine to come in a separate post!! In terms of the pizza, well, I don’t eat cheese, so they kindly made tasty seafood pizza and ham and mushroom pizza without cheese, delivered it promptly, excellent service overall, and went amazingly with the wine!

If you are travelling to Palma de Mallorca anytime soon, do give these places a go and try some of my food and wine pairing suggestions!

Categories
Uncategorized

A touch of Coonawarra!

My weekend was made just a little bit more special with this beauty of a red wine!! The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, 2017.

From the moment I read the name to myself, I thought I had an idea how this wine would taste; ‘The Cigar’. It created an ambience in my mind of a cigar lounge, jazz music, smoky woody aromas…Trust me, it did not disappoint!

Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family run vineyard and has been going since 1849. It is now in its 6th generation and the exquisite wine production continues. Yalumba means ‘all the land around’, in this case the famous ‘terra rossa’ soil right in the heart of Coonawarra. This wine portrays the care, tradition, and high standard that the Yalumba wine estate represents. 

As soon as I decanted the wine, the colour captured my attention. Its deep, ruby, red and crimson tones. The good colour and the tannin extraction showed the careful traditional winemaking methods. The skin contact too added complexity to the final wine and the 16 months maturation in new and old French oak barriques, just gives it those more intense vanilla and sweet spice flavours.

I was really impressed with the depth and intensity on the nose with primary through to tertiary aromas, with a noticeable bouquet of lavender and violet. I could tell this wine had a bit of age also due to the tobacco, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate aromas. These developed even more on the palate with even more intensity of blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant flavours. I also picked up on hints of mint and milk chocolate flavours on the palate, blending deliciously with the smooth and velvet tannins.

This wine is a winner in so many ways. It is the perfect wine for a meaty, hearty meal. Ideal for summer BBQs! I paired it with bolognaise and pasta. Once it is in the decanter, leave it for a few hours and you can even enjoy it the following day, as the fruit and tannins soften. Sip and enjoy!

Categories
Uncategorized

What Grows Together Goes Together

Just how true is this when talking about wine? Do you ever try to pair your food and wine and get stuck in a rut? Not too sure what would go with your Albariño or your glass of English sparkling wine? Well, going off my experience travelling around Europe, I have to say that I am a true believer of keeping both food and wine local!

Back in the days when travelling was a bit less restricted, you would often find me in a typical Majorcan wine bar or in a fine restaurant in the gorgeous city of Madrid. The Spanish are so passionate about everything they do, especially regarding their food and wine. I love the tradition of Tapas and how you automatically get a bar snack with a glass of Rioja or Rueda. Whether its crisps, some Manchego cheese or serrano ham, the idea is to enjoy some food with your wine choice. It is a fantastic experience.

Successful food and wine pairings have probably evolved over time. The idea of the signature food of one region developing over the years, along with the winemaking of the same region, proves to be a perfect match! We also must consider environmental characteristics, the climate, terroir and local traditions behind particular cuisines. 

 One of my favourite pairings is Pa Amb Oli, which means ‘bread with olive oil’ in Majorcan. They also add tomatoe to the bread and even some garlic, which is rubbed on one side of the warm crusty bread. I also love Pa Amb Tomàquet, which is with the toppings of jamón serrano, cheese or anchovies. It can be served at any time of the day, or just as an accompaniment to dinner or lunch.

What would my wine choice be to go with this dish? Well, I would go for a Majorcan red wine. Angel Negre, a wine from Bodegas Angel, Viñas de Sa Basseta (Santa María Del Camí). This delicious wine is an interesting blend between 2 international grape varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and indigenous grape Manto Negro. Manto Negro is a cross of 2 extinct varieties, and it produces smooth, light coloured wines, which are high in alcohol. 

This rule of thumb generally works for me. However, having some knowledge about the different components of food and wine, such as acidity, sweetness, and umami, helps you to find a sensational match! That deserves its own blog!

In the meantime, I’m off to enjoy a glass of Crémant and some ‘fromage de chevre’!