Spain & Portugal: Classic Wines

You could sample a new Spanish wine every night of the year and still not experience all the variety that this country produces. Each region has their own specialty. Rioja creates smoky, earthy, subtle reds with the Tempranillo grape, while the Priorat region makes rich, dense, powerful reds from the Garnacha variety. The Ribera del Duero also employs the Tempranillo grape, yielding wines bigger and more powerful than those of Rioja. And this is just a few of the reds we will try. 

As for whites, Spain may not spring to mind, but it should. Whether it's the crisp, aromatic Albarino grape of Galicia, or the lemony & spritzy apertif wines from the Basque region's Txacoli zone, Spain has countless inimitable bottlings, with many at extremely favorable prices. 

Spain alone easily fills an evening, yet Portugal, its neighbor, is equally deserving of attention. Here you will taste many full-bodied wines made from varieties both familiar and unknown. While often a bit more 'old world' in style, they offer an interesting counterpoint to Spain's offerings. 

We will feast upon a cornucopia of Spanish meats, Marcona Almonds, Arbequina Olives, and some of the Iberian peninsula's most distinctive cheeses. We individually plate the evening's selection of cheeses for each guest. They are designed to complement the wines and we will discuss food and wine pairing, some rules, some traditions, and how to step outside them whenever you care to.