A few weeks ago, a friend of ours gave us the skinny on a new wine shop in Barcelona called, Neyras Vins. Located on Calle Laietana, a short jaunt from the famous Barcelona Cathedral, it is a cozy and comfortable space that welcomes both tourists and residents alike. It’s owner, Antonio Gomez Neyra, is also […]
Visiting Barcelona? Check Out A Brand Spanking New Wine Shop! Read More »
Two weeks ago, my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend holiday up North to Guimarães, though each of us seemed to have different intentions for going. I wanted to visit all the wineries of Minho and enjoy a series of tastings, while he just wanted to relax and take it easy. In the
Leitão Assado da Bairrada with Tinto Espumante: A Truly Sensory Experience Read More »
Not a great deal has been written on what is admittedly the relatively new area of pairing international wines with Chinese cuisine. Or should that be Chinese cuisines? This vast country, now in the grips of the Olympics at last, boasts an incredible array of provincial and regional dishes, embracing just about every cooking technique
Exquisite Harmonies: Matching Iberian Wines with China’s Great Cuisines Read More »
Sherry vinegar (Vinagre de Jerez) must be one of the most neglected condiments. It should really be a staple item in the kitchen cupboard. Chefs have been onto sherry vinegar for decades, but for some reason it has passed the general public by, pushed aside in the rush for “easy-drinking” balsamico style vinegars. Sherry vinegar
The Delicious Vinagre de Jerez or Spanish Sherry Vinegar Read More »
Most people are familiar with Ruby Port, the fortified wine which inherited its name from its lovely red color, renowned for its ripe fruit flavors and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the dark, bitter flavors of chocolate. So what if I told you that there existed another delicious and unctuous wine that still marries beautifully
For All You Port Lovers, A Delicious Alternative: Ginja with Chocolate Read More »
It’s summertime in Portugal and as the tourists flood Lisbon, the Portuguese retreat to their local restaurants and bars to enjoy the gastronomic tradition of the season: snails! Yes, that’s right, Caracóis are to the Portuguese as hot wings are to Americans. Though savvy to the tradition of eating snails in France, most Americans remain perplexed
Suck it Up and do What the Portuguese do, Eat Caracois! Read More »
You may not be aware of this, but the Portuguese are excellent bakers and pastry makers, each famed for their traditional local pastries. If you haven’t nibbled your way through Lisbon, savoring their varied and highly addictive pastry culture, let us tempt you! Pasteis are pastries in Portuguese, and the Pasteis de Belem is one of
Pasteis de Belem: The Best Pastry in Portugal Read More »
Officially, we are melting into the Catalunyan soil. Temperatures have risen up to 94 degrees F, which may not be that hot many of you suffering in 100+ degree temperatures, but after 2 months of rain and chilly temperatures, this seems like a sauna to us poor folk. But this doesn’t mean we don’t know
Perfect Summer Combination: Manzanilla and Gazpacho! Read More »
Editor’s note: This story is from 3 years ago when I first went to Rioja. Back then Catavino was not known, and I only had a small family site I was maintaining. Money was scarce, hell it still is! But this became one of my favorite stories, and since it took place in Rioja and
Dinner at Terete in Haro, La Rioja Read More »
Question time for Catavino readers: Who out there loves wine and chocolate? Although this may sound like the most obvious pairing in the world, it’s not. In my many years of both selling and writing about wine, I’ve heard numerous debates on the subject, both for and against this rather contentious chocolate and wine pairing.
Port Wine and Chocolate Read More »
Now comes the second culinary article in a very short period of time. It seems that after my last post on the dinner I made for Gabriella, my hunger wasn’t satisfied! So I got up early this morning and walked down to our local market. Not the SUPERmarket mind you, but our local Spanish market.
