Rewarded by Rioja Gran Reservas

Rewarded by Rioja Gran Reservas

May 28, 2009

My definition of rewarding: Scouring Madrid’s back alleys under dim street light, clutching a map, and finally stumbling into Casa Botin, the oldest restaurant in Europe. But alas, it’s full of tourists, and we start backing out the door. Then we spot the porcine room: shelves lined with splayed baby pigs in piglet-sized cazuelas. We are definitely eating here!! We order a Faustino Gran Reserva and discover that there is no better match for roast suckling pig than a Rioja. We eat. We drink. And, since that day in 1985, we are forever fans of Gran Reservas from Rioja.

Gran Reservas are not for fans of powerful, fruit forward wines. But for those who appreciate nuance, elegance and texture in their wines, there is absolutely no substitute. Every sip of a Gran Reserva is a history lesson, going back to the influence of Bordeaux winemakers in the 1800’s. But last week at the Vibrant Rioja tasting in New York, experts were predicting that in 5 to 10 years, probably no bodegas will be producing Gran Reservas! What, you exclaim, how can that be? The wine world is changing. And it is incredibly expensive and risky to craft a wine that will be aged for years before sale.  So if you are a fan of these wines, get them while you can!

One of my best days ever was last week’s Vibrant Rioja event in New York. We tasted through 15 Rioja Gran Reservas from vintage 1964 through 2002, including the best recent vintages of the century (1964, 1981, 1982, 1994, 1995, 1996). We are lucky enough to have a couple of these in stock:

1964 Faustino I Gran Reserva ($189.00) 1964 was a miracle vintage. Consistently across Rioja’s varied terrunyo and microclimates, each bodega produced great wines in this vintage. The 1964 Faustino Gran Reserva is a stellar example of the classic Rioja. Seductive and elegant, its subtle flavors of cherry and plum are well integrated with soft grained tannins and a persistent finish that slowly fades. Wonderfully balanced with acidity, this the ultimate wine to serve with lamb.

2002 Campo Viejo Gran Reserva ($19.99) Great value! Campo Viejo has flavors of dry cherry, plum and baking spices which expand and gain complexity in the mouth. With moderate tannins and balanced acidity, it finishes smooth and long. Serve this with grilled pork tenderloin.

We have other outstanding Gran Reservas, including a 1968 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva ($327.00), 1991 Paternina Gran Reserva ($85.00), and a 1994 La Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva ($135.00).

 

NEW PRODUCTS

Mezza Country Olive Hummus

Kalamata, black, and zesty green Mediterranean olives provide a complex flavor to this fresh silky textured hummus. A perfect summer afternoon snack $3.49

Anjou Bakery Fruit and Nut Crostini

The world’s best crostini comes from Cashmere, Washington. Who knew? These toasted wonders are made with a perfect blend of wholesome grains, nuts and raisins. My favorite way to enjoy them is with soft-ripened cheeses like Odre, the Catalonian sheep’s milk cheese. $8.49

Fine Cheese Co. Crackers

These savory crackers are a unique range of flavored artisan crackers that are designed to partner with specific cheeses. These are perfect complements for everything from Velvety Monte Enebro to full-throttle Valdeon. 5.99 ea.

Quicos de Chocolate

Chocolate covered corn nuts dusted with cocao. Need we say more: salty, sweet, crunchy, chocolatey and totally addictive. 9.99 lb.

Matiz Torta de Aceite Sugared with Almonds

These are our favorite Torta de Aceites. Now $5.99, usually $7.99.

 

NEW WINES THIS WEEK:

2008 Casal Garcia Rose Vinho Verde ($8.99)  We love this rose! A beautiful raspberry color, it has the slight effervescence of a vinho verde with dry strawberry notes. Crisp, refreshing and lively, this is wonderful with spicy Thai food.

2008 MonteNovo Godello, Valdeorras ($12.99)   The fruity and well crafted MonteNovo is fresh off the boat from Spain, and just in time for Seattle’s white wine season! Bright, with mouth filling minerality and lush stone fruit flavors, it is dry and crisp. The D.O. Valdeorras is in Galicia which is the epicenter of the Spanish fishing industry. MonteNovo is superb with any type of shellfish.

2006 Protocolo, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla ($7.99)   Protocolo is a perennial Spanish Table customer favorite and the 2006 is a stunning bargain! The Eguren family are top winemakers who produce Sierra Cantabria wines in Rioja and until this year, Termes and Numanthia wines in Toro. Protocolo is a red table wine produced by the Egurens who have applied their top-notch winemaking skills in the land of Castilla. With warm aromas of berry, this 100% Tempranillo has a depth of vibrant black cherry flavors. Low tannins are balanced by acidity and a finish of licorice notes. Perfect for a backyard party or on a weeknight when you want a wine that won’t blow the budget.

2007 Paso A Paso Tempranillo, La Mancha ($9.99)  The 2006 vintage was a fantastic under-$10.00-wine and quickly sold out. We’ve been waiting for months for the new vintage and it’s finally arrived! With all of the balanced fruit and robust aromas of the 2006, it is “Vivid purple. Complex aromas of cherry, anise, cracked pepper and pungent herbs; not many $10.00 wines have this much going on. Rich cherry and dark berry flavors are modestly concentrated but strikingly pure, showing impressive mineral snap…” 89 points Stephen Tanzer

2007 Espelt Saulo, Emporda ($9.99)  This is a lot of wine for the price! A smoky nose with black fruit flavors, it made of 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan. “Strongly mineral aromas of vibrant cherry, blackberry, graphite and cracked pepper. Brisk and sharply focused, with racy cherry, mineral flavors and fine-grained tannins. A clean, brisk wine that offers impressive clarity and energy for the money.” 90 points Stephen Tanzer

 

RIOJA WINE DVDS:   If you’d like to learn more about Rioja wines, ask us for a free DVDs.  Our apologies if we run out (we just have a few copies) but the DVD can also be ordered for free from this link:  http://www.ciaprochef.com/rioja/  
For information about travel to Rioja, go to http://www.vibrantrioja.com/home.html

 

EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

Flamenco: Carmona Flamenco and Guest Artist Ana Montes are performing at the Solstice Cafe on Saturday May 30 at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. For information:(206) 932-4067 or visit http://www.fanw.org/

Pike Place Market Street Festival May 30-31: A benefit for the Market Foundation, the street will be filled with handcrafted artwork, live music, and delicious food. For more information, visit http://www.pikeplacemarketstreetfestival.com/

Have a great week, and we hope to see you soon!

 

Sincerely,

Sharon Baden and Steve Winston, Owners

Spanish Table

Queso, Queijo and Cheese

Queso, Queijo and Cheese

May 14, 2009

Cheese aficionados, rejoice! This Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, is the fifth annual Seattle Cheese Festival in the Pike Place Market. While Pike Street explodes with more than 200 cheeses from local and international producers, seminars and demonstrations, down here on Western Avenue, The Spanish Table is throwing a sensational celebration of Iberian quesos and queijos. Our resident Cheese Monger, Jorge, has scored big this year with an extraordinary line up of authentic, hand produced cow, sheep and goat milk cheeses from Spain and Portugal. Stop in, take a break from the crowds and taste our outstanding selection!

PORTUGUESE QUEIJOS

Queijo de Nisa is a raw ewe’s milk cheese. Made from the milk of Merino sheep, Nisa has a semi-soft paste with small eyes and a yellowish color. The flavor is robust when you first taste it, but then opens up into alluring hints of banana, apricots and citrusy brightness. Queijo de Nisa is versatile and complements both red and white wines.

Sao Jorge - Pound Cut From the volcanic island of the same name in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, the island is littered with giant craters and also home to naturally lush, green pastures. Still made in the traditional farmhouse way, this cheddary cheese is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and aged for over 120 days. Its hard, natural rind gives way to a lighter colored interior with tiny, irregular holes. Sao Jorge is incredibly versatile, lending its piquant, slightly peppery undertones well to sauces. Equally delicious served cubed into a salad or eaten with a crusty baguette, it pairs perfectly with Portuguese Linguica.

Cabra Pimentão is a semi-hard pasteurized goat cheese from the Transmontana region of Portugal. Each wheel is rubbed with olive oil and smoked paprika. Cabra Pimentão starts out with a slightly granular feeling on the palate and then smoothes out with a lingering smoky finish.

SPANISH QUESOS

Malvarosa Is a farmhouse sheep cheese produced in Valencia. It is handmade and wrapped in cheese cloth. The flavors are delicate, smooth, and buttery with hints of butterscotch in the finish. This beautiful cheese is truly a labor of love: the cheese maker saved this rare species of sheep from extinction, making this an exceptional find. I recommend having on it’s own with a chilled white wine.

Cabra al Pimentón Vibrant orange, this raw goat’s milk curado has paprika permeated throughout the cheese. The surprising texture has a delicate creaminess with an even balance of acidity and salt. Hints of smoke come through on the finish with notes of rustic aromatic earth and straw.

Zamorano is our new staff favorite. This artisan production of the classic Spanish cheese is produced in Castilla Leon, in the Zamora province and this year’s batch is phenomenal! Made with milk from the Churra Ewe, it is rich, complex, full-bodied, slightly piquant, moist and tangy.

Tetilla is our second R rated cheese besides Naked Goat. This soft cheese is hand formed into an alluring shape. Springy, fresh and creamy cow’s milk cheese from Galicia, it is the pride of its’ region. This years batch is particularly soft, fresh, gooey and überlicous! A Customer favorite.

Goat Tronchon Wonderfully herbaceous, it is sweet, grassy, slightly piquant and full-flavored with a lingering tangy finish.

Raw Milk Rosemary Manchego Raw sheep milk aged 15 months with rosemary on the rind. This cheese has a strong herbal edge with a pleasant piquant bit to follow. Think herb infused Pecorino Romano. If you are a hard core rosemary fanatic try our other raw sheep’s milk cheese with infused with rosemary in the cheese.

Artequeso 1 Year Raw Milk Manchego The Grand Daddy of Manchegos! Okay. Everyone knows about Manchego so why mention it? Because Artequeso is other worldly and one of the best cheeses in the case. Dry, slightly powdery, and textured with nutty, parmesan-like complexities, it hits you in the jowls like a big bold spicy wine with a complex lingering finish. This is what Manchego used to be 100 years ago. Be sure to taste it when you come in. Queso Leonora is an exceptional goat cheese from a small producer in Leon. This brick shaped, natural mold rind cheese envelops a compact white interior. Dry textured and full-bodied with herbaceous and lemon flavors, it has the perfect balance of acidity. Soft-ripened and spreadable, tangy and distinctive, this unique goat cheese leaves a lasting impression.

Petit Odre is from the village of Vilasar del Dalt near Barcelona. Made from sheep’s milk, it resembles a plump mini Brie. The interior is creamy at the edges, becoming firmer at the center. Odre has a full, rich, and buttery flavor with herbal notes and a sweet finish. Think slightly chalky sheep camembert! Odre is from the same cheese maker as Nevat. – Jorge

NEW PRODUCTS

Pate de Campagne with Black Pepper A traditional recipe with origins in the French countryside, this county-style pate is thick, coarsely-textured treasure seasoned with piquant black pepper. The uneven, super spreadable paste is created using seasoning and fats, added to bring out the flavor in meats.

Rabbit Sausage with Prunes Made with rabbit and pork flavored with prunes and brandy, this phenomenal sausage is best grilled. Mildly spiced, serve it with fresh garden greens for a light meal.

Dried Peruvian Aji Panka Chilie Pods Reconstitute these chilies and add to soups,sauces, and other dishes. Or take the tops off and grind them into chili powder as part of your own spice blend. Aji Pancas are a great way to add mild, fruity chile flavor to any dish. fruity chile flavor to your Mexican dishes.

WINE AND CHEESE PAIRINGS

Queijo de Nisa’s robust and fruity notes are a great match with the 2005 Conde de Vimioso, Ribatejano ($9.99). Vimioso is fruity, rich and youthful with flavors of raspberry and currants and a lingering finish. Pair Sao Jorge with the hearty 2005 Vega Escal Priorat ($19.99). Vega Escal is powerfully concentrated with “ripe cherry and blackberry, and smoky minerals. Graceful and edge-free.” 90 points Stephen Tanzer

Serve Cabra Pimentão with oaky 2007 Clos de los Siete, Mendoza ($18.99) “There may be no finer red wine value in Argentina than this superb blend of 48% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 12% Syrah, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon…. This lengthy effort over-delivers and then some.” 91 points Jay Miller

Malvarosa’s delicate flavors are spectacular served with 2007 Avinyo Vi D’Agulla (Penedes) $14.99. The ‘wine with a prickle’ is a light bodied white wine with a refreshing slightly frizzante character.

Pour the 1999 Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva Rioja ($22.99) with smoky and piquant Cabra al Pimenton. Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva is a classical Rioja, with notes of oak, cigar box, cedar, plum and cherry flavors. Moderate tannins are balanced with acidity and pair wonderfully with this cheese.

Zamorano cheese is stellar matched with a wine from it’s own region such as the 2006 M.O. de Olivara, Toro ($12.99). Concentrated, bold and spicy, this Tinto de Toro is produced from 40-100 year old vines. M.O. is meaty, explosive and earthy with notes of mineral and black fruit flavors.

Mild Tetilla is outstanding when paired with a delicate white wine such as the 2007 Can Vendrell Chardonnay Xarel-lo, Penedes ($13.99). Unoaked and crisp, Can Vendrell has a floral nose with notes of stone fruit and dry pear. The dry, refreshing finish has nuances of almond and mineral which are fantastic with Tetilla’s gooey deliciousness.

Full flavored Goat Tronchon needs a full bodied red such as the 2007 Luzon from Jumilla ($9.99). A blend of Monastrell and Syrah, it “delivers huge plum and spice notes, with tobacco, herbs and smoked meat working their way into the game. Remains powerfully fruity and spicy in the mouth… Overdelivers by a lot!” 90 points Wine Enthusiast, #1 Best Buy for 2008

Serve earthy 2003 Las Gravas, Jumilla ($23.99) with Rosemary Manchego. Las Gravas “offers lovely floral, crème de cassis, smoke, charcoal and earthy characteristics in its rich, full-bodied, powerful personality…” 90 points Robert Parker

A natural match to Artequeso Manchego is the structured and well-knit 2005 Pinuaga Tempranillo. “Medium to full bodied, firmly structured, reticent with outstanding potential.” 90 points Robert Parker This is one of my favorite Tempranillos!

Pair lean and steely white 2007 Vina Reboreda, Ribeira ($11.99) with herbaceous and tangy Queso Leonora. Vina Reboreda’s aromas of dried flowers with bright flavors of Granny Smith apple, citrus and watermelon are balanced by vibrant acidity and minerals which cleanse the palate between each bite of Queso Leonora.

An elegant cava such as the Vins El Cep 2003 Marques de Gelida Brut Exclusive Reserva, Penedes ($12.99) is a wonderful accompaniment to creamy Petit Odre. Last week, the charming winemaker of Vins El Cep was in Seattle for the Jorge Ordonez portfolio tasting. A combination of six families who have been winemakers and growers in Penedes since the 15th Century, Vins El Cep cavas are made exclusively from estate grown fruit. 2003 Marques de Gelida Brut Exclusive has been aged 36 months on the lees and made in the traditional champagne method. With fruity stone fruit and citrus notes, it has an excellent sweet-acidic balance and a lengthy mineral finish which compliments the buttery and chalky flavors of Petit Odre.

EVENTS CALENDAR

The Spain Association of the Pacific Northwest is celebrating Fiesta de San Isidro on May 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Aqua Club in Kenmore. Non members are welcome. For more information, visit

http://www.spainassociation.org

Spanish Winemaker dinner at Olivar Restaurant, May 28th. Casa Ventura Imports present winemaker Javier Fernandez Sanzaq from Bodegas Los Aljibes for a Spanish Wine Dinner May 28th. $70.00 per person. For more details and reservations, contact Olivar (206) 322- 0409 or visit http://www.olivarrestaurant.com.

Cape Verdean chanteuse Maria de Barros and her band will be here one night only for a CD release party on May 28th at the Triple Door. Maria will be performing songs form her highly anticipated album Morabeza, a blend of mornas, coladeras and funana – the mesmerizing genres from Cape Verde. Tickets are available from the Triple Door box office and online: http://www.tripledoor.com. Maria says bring your dancing shoes!

We hope to see you soon and in the meantime, light the barbeque and cook a paella this weekend!

Sincerely,

Sharon Baden and Steve Winston

Owners, Spanish Table

Certain memories of Spain linger in our minds years after the details of the trip has faded. One of these enduring images is of mothers in black, the mamacitas, inhabiting the white washed villages we visited during the 1980’s. They were the last of a generation and part of an agrarian culture that stretched back across eons of time. They were mothers who gave birth to their children at home under the watchful eye of a midwife. Mothers who prepared their childrens’ meals from whatever ingredients were available, what we call Cocina Pobre, in The Spanish Table cookbook. Mothers who kept the home fire burning and whose love was rich beyond measure. ¡Feliz Dia de Madre!

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

Mothers Day is Sunday May 10

EXCEPTIONAL CHEESES

For Moms that are cheese aficionados, these quesos make a sensational addition to any brunch or gift basket!

Peña Corado: This new blue cheese is picking up serious momentum among cheese connoisseurs. Voluptuous & buttery, Peña Corado is high in moisture with a compact supple texture. Rich, creamy, sweet and salty, it has a long blue finish and is a perfect partner for crisp fruit.

Sharon’s favorite cheese, Monte Enebro is back in stock. Made by one man, this phenomenal soft goat cheese is coated with ash. It is spreadable, creamy and tangy. It melts on your tongue and is a full-flavored cheese.

NEW MEATS

Rillettes de Périgord-Duck Meat Pate, all natural A traditional French dish, Rillettes du Perigord are made of the finest duck meat and seasoned duck fat. The meat is simmered in spices, juices, and fat, and left to soak up as much flavor as possible. The saturated meat is then pounded into a spread. Delicious with Arrope, (Grape Must With Pumpkin).

Truffle Mousse Paté Made from velvety chicken livers, scrumptious truffles,earthy porcini mushrooms and marinated in sherry. Artisanally produced with all natural ingredients, it pairs perfectly with Cava. – Jorge

Mother’s Day special through Sunday May 10th:

Cheese

Recieve a complimentary $15.00 gift certificate with purchase of the new edition Spanish Table cookbook by Steve Winston($30.00).

La Cocina de Mama by Penelope Casas ($29.95) 175 recipes gathered from great chefs and traditional home cooks from every region in Spain, representing the best of Spanish recipes handed down through generations of Spanish “mamas”.

Clos Mogador Olive Oil ($37.00)From Rene Barbier’s legendary estate in Priorat, this is one of the most complex oils we’ve tasted. Drizzle over grilled fish or vegetables for a savory finish.

Valor Chocolate Little Secrets ($5.39/2.2 oz) These chocolate truffles from Spain’s premier chocolatier are guaranteed to please Mothers who love chocolate!

Teas ($4.99/25 bags): Choose from Lemon tea, Camomille with Anise, Tea with Saffron or Peppermint.

Sunny Tunisian yellow and red ceramics (pictured above), including tea pots and mugs. Cheerful on any table!

Made in Spain DVDs with Jose Andres ($31.49). Let Mom follow chef Andres around Spain without buying an airplane ticket.

GREAT WINES FOR SPECIAL MEALS

2005 Vistalba Corte B, Mendoza ($22.99) 70% Malbec & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Vistalba’s high altitude vineyard has an amazing diurnal swing of 60° F, allowing excellent color and tannin development. Aged 12 months in French oak, Vistalba has dark red fruit aromas with hints of tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, cassis and clove. “Lush and round, with velvety-textured tannins carrying ample layers of plum sauce, crushed currant and fig fruit and dark licorice notes. Stays admirably fresh on the hefty finish, with a nice buried black tea hint.” 92 points Wine Spectator Smart Buy

2005 Matarromera Crianza, Ribera del Duero ($26.99) Hefty, complex and rich with notes of vanilla, graphite, and cassis liqueur. Fig, smoke, black cherry and mineral elements give lift and balance to the structured tannins. 90 points Jay Miller

2003 Remelluri Rioja ($34.99) Elegant and accessible, the 2003 Remelluri provies how a great winemaker can produce a spectacular wine even in a difficult vintage. “Gamey cherry and plum on the nose, with a complex array of herbal and floral qualities adding complexity. Shockingly fresh and poised, with bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors, chewy texture and fine-grained tannins. Finishes juicy, clean and precise, with a peppery kick. This is drinking very nicely right now.” 90 points Stephen Tanzer

2004 LAN Culmen Reserva ($75.00) “This beautiful modern red offers a velvety texture supported by ripe, well-integrated tannins and plenty of sweet toasty oak. Plum and boysenberry fruit is ripe and fresh. Very expressive, yet with great concentration. Mineral and tobacco notes add complexity. Powerful and complete. Drink now through 2025.” 96 points Wine Spectator

2006 Mas D’En Compte Tinto, Priorat (40.00) ” Vibrant raspberry and cherry aromas are energized by blood orange and baking spices. Fresh red fruit flavors are complicated by an exotic lavender pastille quality and given lift by juicy acidity. An elegant, precise wine that finishes with excellent tangy cut and persistence. Nothing overdone here.” 91 points Stephen Tanzer

NEW WINES

FROM LATIN AMERICA:

2007 Árido Malbec, Mendoza ($9.99) We discovered how great Arido Malbec was six months ago and now The Wine Spectator will be featuring it in a future issue. Get it while you can – once reviewed, wines quickly sell out. “Ripe and focused, with a solid beam of raspberry fruit laced with sweet spice, toast and fruitcake notes, followed by a juicy finish. Drink now.” 88 points Wine Spectator Best Values

2006 Vistalba Corte C, Mendoza ($10.99) Winemaker Carlos Pulenta has crafted a rich and balanced red wine in his blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot. Flavors of ripe boysenberry with black tea notes and structured tannins go down all too easily. “Juicy, with a nice compact core of plum sauce and fig that should unwind nicely, supported by licorice, fruitcake and black tea notes.” 88 points Wine Spectator Great value!

2006 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Rapel Valley Chile, ($13.99) “Red berries and spiced plum on the nose, with a light mineral quality adding energy. Silky in texture, with midweight raspberry and bitter chocolate flavors and good finishing grip. Attractively fresh wine.” 88 points Stephen Tanzer

FESTIVE SPARKLING WINES:

NV Cavas Hill Brut de Brut Reserva Artesania ($9.99) Cavas Hill Brut de Brut is made in the traditional cava method with fermentation in the bottle and aging on lees for 20 months. Clean and crisp, it has very small, fine and delicate bubbles with fruit aromas. Green apple flavors provide great freshness and it has a creamy, elegant and pleasantly long finish.

Agusti Torello Mata Rosat Reserva Brut 2006, Penedes ($24.99) A glass of this crisp sparkling rose turns any day into a special occasion. “The 2006 Rosat-Repat was sourced from Trepat vines over 65 years of age. Deep pink in color, it has a lovely bouquet of rose petals, strawberry and raspberry. It reveals a steady stream of small, persistent bubbles, a crisp, refreshing mid-palate and outstanding depth of flavor.” 92 points Robert Parker Top 5 Wine Values

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Spanish Table cook book appearance at Metropolitan Market

Join Spanish Table owner Steve Winston for a cookbook signing and recipe tasting:

Thursday May 7th, 4-6 pm Proctor store

Friday May 8th, 4-6 Admiral store

Saturday May 9th, 4-6 Sand Point store

For more information: http://metropolitan-market.com/happenings/index.phph?page=3

Pike Place Market Flower Festival Saturday & Sunday May 9-10

40 + farmers are expected to take part in this first annual festival. Farmers will set up tents on the cobblestone parking area and will offer cut flowers, seeds, bulbs and flower starts for sale.

Saturday, May 9, “Flamenco de Noche” one night only, 8:00 p.m. at the historic Rendezvous Jewelbox theatre in Belltown. Dancer Savannah Fuentes is bringing singer/dancer Stephanie Pedraza from Vancouver and guitarist Mark Ferguson from Portland to join singer/dancer Esther Marion and guitarist Rafael Vargas in a very traditional flamenco show. Tickets:

www.brownpapertickets.com

Saturday June 12 “Arte Profundo Flamenco” one night only, 8 pm at Columbia City Theater. Featuring special guest from Sevilla, singer Jesus Montoya with dancers Esther Marion and Savannah Fuentes, guitarists Rafael Vargas and Mark Ferguson. For more information: 206-937-4994 http://arteprofundoflamenco.blogspot.com Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com

SPANISH COOKING SEMINARS

Taberna del Alabardero operates restaurants, hotels and cooking schools in Spain and recently opened a restaurant in Seattle’s Belltown. Always eager to learn the secrets of professionals, I took the first of their outstanding cooking series this week. A group of us learned what to do when a tortilla espanola falls apart and how to coax every bit of flavor into a savory seafood paella, among other things. Not only do students watch Chef Larrosa explain and prepare each dish, it’s all served for lunch afterwards. Every Tuesday in May at 11:30 A.M. For more information:

http://www.alabardero.com/seattle/May%20Seminars.pdf

We hope to see you soon in the shop, and in the meantime have a great week!

Sincerely,

Sharon Baden & Steve Winston
Owners, The Spanish Table

Great Memories

Too often, days fade into memory like the Bainbridge ferry disappearing into fog. But there are also times that are simply unforgettable, such as our trip to Cordoba where we waited in line for hours to see a flamenco concert we’d stumbled upon by accident. It was a sensational show featuring Jose Merce, Jose Menese and Chocolate. The raw emotions I felt that night turned me into an aficionado of cante flamenco.

The next morning’s visit to Bodegas Toro Albala was just as memorable. For starters, it was raining so hard that the wine maker had to drive us across the parking lot. Situated in a former electric plant since 1922, the tiny bodega is a hands-on operation which produces phenomenal sherries. Known for their dessert wines such as the Don PX Gran Reserva, they tasted us through their selection and I was blown away by the Fino Electrico. All of Toro Albala’s sherries are made from 100% Pedro Ximenez which has sufficient residual sugar so that fortification is unnecessary, in contrast to sherries produced in D.O. Jerez from the palomino grape. We’ve stocked the Don PX Gran Reserva for years but the rest were not available until now. This week we received 4 new sherries from Toro Albala.

NEW SHERRIES FROM BODEGAS TORO ALBALA

Fino Electrico ($11.99) Aromas of yeast meet pungent flavors of green olive and almonds. Bone dry, intense and great with salty jamon iberico.

Amontillado Viejisimo ($29.99) This superb wine is an average of 30 years old. Great intensity of rich roasted nuts, dried fruit and leather with a seemingly endless finish.

Oloroso Viejo ($17.99) From soleras and reserve stocks approaching a century in age, Oloroso Viejo displays a round, velvety texture with aromas of butterscotch. Essentially dry, it is also rich with notes of caramel and a dry persistent finish.

Cream PX ($17.99) A blend of 10-year-old Oloroso which has been enriched with Don PX Gran Reserva. A complex and refined palate caressing wine, it melds flavors of dried fruit and raisins with balanced acidity.

NOTABLE NEW WINES

2004 Castell de Les Pinyeres, Montsant ($15.99) A blend of Grenache, Carignan, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, this is an old world wine with panache. “Energetic spiced raspberry and cherry on the nose, with white pepper and cinnamon qualities adding complexity. Fresh, finely etched red fruit flavors are intense but almost weightless, with bracing minerality adding nerve. Pure strawberry and raspberry flavors dominate the long, refreshingly brisk finish. There’s a pinot noir-like vivacity to this wine that is extremely appealing.” 90 points Stephen Tanzer

2005 El Castro de Valtuille, Bierzo ($34.00) Winemaker Raul Perez is breathing life into these old vineyards. Made from vines between 50-60 years old, El Castro de Valtuille is 100% Mencia. It has spent 14 months in one year old barrels to let the intense fruit shine through. Elegant, tannic and structured with a persistent finish, this has amazing concentration. Absolutely wonderful! 90 points Stephen Tanzer, 92 points Robert Parker

FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO! Need ingredients for a party this weekend? Try some of our Mexican specialties:

Habanero lollipops ($1.59) Warning! Very hot adult candy. Marilyn says “Yum – tingles the tip of your tongue.”

La Morena Chipotle Sauce $2.79/7 oz Smoked hot peppers essential for many Mexican recipes

Cocina Mestiza salsas ($7.99/22 oz) Choose from Serrano, Chipotle or Habanera. Grab some chips and the appetizer is ready!

Los Chileros New Mexican whole dried peppers, posole, chile powder, chicos y mas.

We have an extensive selection of general and regional Mexican cookbooks, from $5.99 and up.

NEW VALUE WINES UNDER $10.00

2007 Juan de Valdelana Rioja ($9.99) Made of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Viura, this young Rioja has plenty of verve in a traditional style. Valdelana has cherry aromas with flavors of black currant, boysenberry and a touch of spice. Well balanced with a persistent finish, this wine has enough acidity to balance out paella or grilled sausages.

2008 Higueruela, Almansa ($9.99) Higueruela is made from 100% Garnacha Tintorera (also called Alicante Bouchet), from low-yielding vines between 30 and 80 years old. Aged in stainless steel tanks, it has a fruity aroma which reveals black cherry flavors and moderate tannins. Higueruela has an appealing earthiness with great lift on the finish. 87 points Jay Miller, Recommend Best Buy

2005 El Cipres Malbec, Menoza ($9.99) 100% Malbec from the 70 year old Don Angelino vineyard at 2800 feet above sea level, El Cipres presents a delicious blend of red and black fruits supported by soft, smooth

NEW PRODUCTS

tannins. Smoky and meaty, serve this with a slab of grilled beef and chimichurri sauce.

Isastegi Basque cider ($10.99) is back in stock at long last! We now have two distinctive ciders in stock. Isastegi is tart green apple flavored with a fresh finish. Bereziartua cider ($9.99) is loaded with fermented fruit. Try one of each and compare!

Seven Fires, Grilling the Argentine Way by Francis Mallmann ($35.00) We ate at Mallmann’s 1884 Restaurant in Buenos Aires and it was an amazing experience. When South America’s most venerated chef published a cookbook, we had to stock it. Filled with mouth watering photos of everything from empanadas to assorted meats cooking over coals, if you like playing with fire, this is a must-have book.

Clos Mogador extra virgin olive oil ($37.00): Produced in limited quantities by Rene Barbier’s Priorat estate, this is a cold extraction of arbequina, rojol and empeltre olives. Amazingly buttery with grassy notes, it is full flavored with a peppery finish. So good it’s hard to stop dipping bread into it.

Now back in stock: Choricero dried peppers ($19.99/7 oz)

Access from the Pike Place Market: The stairs between the Market and Western Avenue will be closed for several months for construction and utility work. In the meantime, the other stairs are still open and the elevator is working. The market is installing signage to help folks find their way to Western Avenue.

We hope to see you soon, and have a great week!

Regards,

Sharon Baden and Steve Winston, Owners

The Spanish Table