Category: Food and drink

The 5^th and 6^th 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 6^th of January, known as ‘Día de Los Reyes’ ‘Kings Day’.

Standing in the crowds on the 5^th 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!

‘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.