It´s Friday and you are day dreaming about where do take your next vacation… here are some images of one of our favorite regions on earth, La Rioja, to inspire you 
Enjoy these shots of Rioja´s vineyards, medieval villages, rivers and mountains…
Find out more!
A Bite of Seville, By Martina Hemm
When making a culinary pilgrimage through Spain, Seville is not to be missed. Home to a vibrant flamenco scene and extensive network of tapas bars, Seville is clearly a town of bon vivants. And Sevilleans are not greedy. They are more than happy to share their lust for life with anyone who makes it down their winding cobblestone streets aged by history and heavy with the essence of lives lived to the fullest.
Start your day at the tiny Bar Europa café. Tucked into the corner of the quaint Plaza del Pan, patrons can look out onto passersby as they sip at their café con leche. Sidle up to the long mahogany bar, still part of the original decoration from 1925, and browse the menu of tapas that has secured Bar Europa in Seville’s Ruta de la Tapa.
Continue on to the cathedral. Built upon the foundation of an old mosque it is the third largest church in the world in length but the largest in square meters. Climb the 35 floors to o the top of the minaret and you will be left breathless, not only because of the hike, but the reward: an expansive view of all of Seville.
After a well-deserved siesta, ring in the evening at El Rinconcillo, claimed to be the oldest bar in Seville. Lined with years of wine and vermouth, the decades converge in El Rinconcillo, where hams hang from the ceiling and the waiter jots down your tab on the bar in chalk. Order some wines and share a bowl of salmorejo, a true Andalusian specialty similar to a gazpacho.
Continue your tapas tour to Bar Eslava—a narrow tapas bar with a smattering of tables in the back. Hugely popular, the spot fills up early with dancers, musicians, writers, and the grande dames of old Seville. Be sure to catch the name of your waiter! As long as you address them directly and aren’t scared to be vocal with your orders, a flurry of tapas will come your way. The menu has some of the best tapas in Seville, but the Navajas, or Razor clams, are sure to change your life. Cooked on the grill, with a splash of olive oil and pinch of sea salt, their maritime taste is enhanced with a dab of lemon juice.
But don’t have your last glass just yet! Leave some room for La Carboneria , a flamenco bar hidden behind a red door in the old Jewish district. Enjoy the intimate flamenco shows, and perhaps some impromptu dancing…after all, that is how Seville seduces all her lovers.
INFO
La Carboneria
Calle Levies, 18
41004 Sevilla, Spain
Tel +34 95 421 44 60
Calle Siete Revueltas, 35,
41004 Sevilla, Spain
Tel +34 954 217 908
Bar/ Restaurante Eslava
Calle Eslava, 3
41002 Sevilla, Spain
Tel +34 954 906 568
Calle Gerona, 42
41003 Sevilla, Spain
Tel +34 954 223 183
Ideas for a romantic brunch to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day-
Brunch at home can be even romantic than dinner out, and is a wonderful idea for this Valentine`s weekend. But what to make? What wines to serve?
How to make it the perfect Valentine`s Day Brunch?
Begin the late morning with crèpes, rolled with strawberries and freshly whipped cream. You can stir in a chocolate or almond based Italian liqueur to the cream…
Toast with pink bubbly, we adore Pommery Rosé. Add to the feeling of special occasion with beautiful champagne glasses and rose petals on the tablecloth…
Continue with Lobster Bisque, a colorful, beautiful and very romantic dish…
This dish, believe it or not, pairs well with dessert wines such as the fabulous Barsac/Sauternes wines from Château Coutet…
Or, if you don’t want to do sweet wine before red wine, carry on with the champagne!
For the savory main course, how about delicate grilled baby lamb chops with rosemary?
… paired with something fabulous like Casanova di Neri`s Brunello di Montalcino. Oh, yeah!
and finish off your romantic Valentine`s day brunch with some kisses, Baci- the chocolate that says it all.
Tara Stevens, Barcelona based travel writer, shares her experience with us on a recent stay at the hot new Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona:
Didn’t get to sample the Spa unfortunately, had a peak around it though and looks pretty fab. Very dark and sultry. Did have a swim in the pool – good size for a downtown hotel and the steam room thick with jasmin was divine. Carme Ruscallada’s new restaurant Moments is being headed by her son Raül. I was there on a Monday so it was shut, but they do a lunch special for €49, which struck me as a good way of getting a taste of greatness without the price tag. Design is sleek, elegant and understated in the rooms and bit more jazzy in the common areas such as Blanc – a restaurant and lounge (the heart of the place) situated on the trading floor (MO was a bank before) – with its contemporary Emmanuel chairs, leather sofas and zellij inspired hanging space divider. Ate there: modern Asian food came with a twist like tuna sashimi topped with green curry ice-cream, and the Bankers Bar, complete with renovated safety boxes does a mean bankers martini with vodka, cardomom, lemon juice and ginger. Classy stuff, had three over the course of the night with wine in between and not a trace of a hangover.
Madrid’s Best Tapas Bars
Everybody in Madrid has their Tapas bar- their secret neighborhood hideaway. Whether for a morning coffee, a midday snack, or a late night bottle among friends, madrileños live their lives in their favorite haunts. Here are just ten of our favorite tapas bars in Madrid, to give you a taste. But when you walk through the winding cobblestone streets of Madrid, you will be sure to stumble upon your very own taberna.
by Martina Hemm
La Camarilla
As the collaboration between Argentinean mixologist, Diego Cabrera and Sergi Arola, the culinary mastermind behind many of Spain’s great restaurants, Le Cabrera could settle back on their good names, but that would go against this new Gastrobar’s principles. Whether in its boutique tapas or distinct cocktails, Le Cabrera gives top ingredients the limelight. Split into two levels diners can start the evening upstairs with a glass mellow red Terrazgo, and follow up with one of Cabrera’s signature drinks in the downstairs cocktail lounge. Or enjoy the night at the open kitchen’s bar, where you can watch the chefs create the stars that make Le Cabrera shine. Even though head chef, Benjamin Bensoussan, is originally from Marseille his traditional tapas with a twist could fool any Madrileño into believing he was a native. Tiny rolls of potatoes hiding a spicy center and topped with a smooth garlic aioli, are what Le Cabrera calls patatas bravas; a worthy addition to any gourmand’s dictionary.
Calle Bárbara de Braganza 2
Madrid
Tel +34 913 199 457
Rustic yet refined, Matritum is set back from the busy bustle of Cava Baja. Enter into the cozy dining room and watch the dim lighting reflect off of the over 400 wines on display, which the in house sommelier will be more than happy to go guide you through. Treat yourself to one of Matritum’s specialties: pan seared foie with a confit of oven roasted apples and onions or a gratin of scallops in a luscious Cava cream. Better yet, brings friends and join in on a family style serving of patatas bravas with five cheeses.
Cava Alta 17
Madrid
Tel +34 913 658 237
Taberna Agrado
Meaning to please in Spanish, Agrado does everything to stay true to its name. Although only a week old at the time of publishing, the tiny modern taberna tucked in amongst the winding backstreets of Madrid, already has a large following of locals who know to appreciate good customer service. For those in need, the openhearted bartenders are quick to give a wine recommendation, favoring those from their hometown such the 2008 La Vendimia. Drinks are served with crumbled aged Parmesan drizzled with a tart olive oil. If you have come with an appetite Agrado has empanadas de carne with a spicy pebre of onions, pepper, and cilantro, and an excellent list of small dishes focusing on seasonal produce such as the ceviche with ripe mango and crunchy red onions, to please your hunger.
C/Ballesta 1
Madrid
Tel +34 915 216 346
Long lines speak for the popularity of this Cava Baja mainstay. So be sure to arrive early and put down your name for one of the coveted tables. This will give you enough time to browse the chalkboard’s daily specials and skim the crowds for a friendly face. Dim lighting and laughter make it easy to find a conversation and enjoy the homey atmosphere over a glass of dry white Peñedes and their classic tapa of pork loin on a confit of onions.
Calle Cava Baja 30
Madrid
Tel +34 913 650 804
La Perejila
The tiny entrance to La Perejila is easy to miss despite its green color, but sneak a peak inside and the soft breeze of Andalusia will beckon you in. Flamenco memorabilia covers the walls and lends a distinct touch to the colorful nightspot frequented by the La Latina’s bohemians. Saddle up to the bar and toast to the vibrant atmosphere with a glass of Cava. Be sure to try the salmorejo, a deliciously refreshing soup similar to gazpacho, and if you are feeling like something heartier the toast of sobrasada and warm goat cheese with a drizzle of caramel will leave you craving for more and happy you haven’t missed this jewel of a bar.
Calle Cava Baja 25
Madrid
Tel +34 913 642 855
A total contrast to the sleek dining room, the bar area of la Camarilla with its bistro tables and worn terra cotta tiled floor, is the perfect pit stop on a tour through La Latina. After a morning of scouring antiques at the Rastro market around the corner, enjoy a typical Madrid breakfast of café cortado and toast with tomato and olive oil. Come back at night to pick and choose from the tapas on display, from salmon rolls filled with a scallop béchamel to sautéed mushrooms topped with green pardon peppers. While the night is still young, browse the long list of wines representing every corner of Spain and enjoy a glass while the music continues to play until the early morning.
Calle Cava Baja 21
Madrid, Spain
+34 913 540 207
Come on a weekend and hear a medley of languages bounce off of the beautifully restored marketplace. Crowds of Madrileños and world citizens pulse through the wrought iron stands whittling away the hours with laughter and conversation. Home to small upscale shops by day, the market turns into one big tapas bar at night offering a wide range of delicacies from cured ham, to artisan cheese, olives, almonds, and melt in your mouth seafood tapas. Try the traditional sardine tapa with an unconventional curry sauce, a surprisingly divine combination. The Pinkelton & Wine bar has an excellent red, 2007 CLIO, the perfect way to sip the night away watching as the world passes by the glow of the Mercado.
Plaza de Oriente 3
Madrid
Tel +34 915 415 104
Bar Miguel Angel
Hidden within the entrance to an apartment building, is a white door that takes you down into a cellar filled with small wooden tables. This is Bar Miguel Angel, the secret tip of everyone in the barrio: breakfast joint in the morning, white table dining at lunch, after work hangout for young professionals on weekends. But those who really know stop in between 7pm and 9pm, when the mood is mellow and the tables in the alcove are still free. Following tradition every glass comes with a heaping plate of tapas to choose from. Cured ham on pisto with melted goat cheese, or the ubiquitous tortilla Espanola, the options change everyday but the flavor is consistent.
Calle de Miguel Ángel 6
Madrid
An institution for over 50 years, Jose Luis has locations throughout Madrid, as well as in Sevilla and Barcelona. But the original is in the prestigious Calle Serrano in Madrid. A fashionable establishment of the 60’s, artists, writers, and professionals were drawn by the ambient and the large variety of tapas. Today’s crowd is a mix of decades of regulars, enjoying drinks at the bar or the daily menu. Try to get a seat at one of the two tables in the bar area to enjoy a casual meal among friends with all the pomp that Jose Luis has retained over the years. The counter offers a broad range of traditional tapas to choose from, be sure to savor a variety to see what makes the Madrileños come back day after day, year for year.
Calle de Serrano 89
Madrid
Tel +34 915 616 413
The answer to many Madrileños search for modern, sleek, tapas at a good price, Lateral has several strategic locations throughout Madrid. Take a break from shopping your way down Calle Fuencarral with a medley of tapas at Lateral. But make sure to plan in some waiting time as the young and the fashionable flock here in droves for light dishes with a blast of flavor. Try the rolls of salmon filled with cream cheese and caramelized apples, a warm salad of grilled eggplant, caramelized onions, and goat cheese, or roasted pimientos de pardon with olive oil and sea salt-an emblematic tapa throughout Spain.
C/ Fuencarral, 43
Madrid
Tel +34 91 531 68 77
Spain is packed full of beautiful towns and villages, ranging from the Arab white washed hamlets of the south to slate “pizarra” villages of the north to sandstone pueblos in the Balearic islands and tropical architecture of the Canary islands. It is near impossible to pick ten, but here is a good start: our selection of the ten most darling villages in Spain, in our most humble opinion.
Feel free to tell us your favorites, too as there are dozens more gorgeous towns!
TOP TEN MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN SPAIN
1. Cadaqués
2. Cudillero
3. Hondarribia
4. Besalù
5. Trujillo
6. Pedraza
7. Ronda
8. La Orotava
La Orotava- Canarybird 2009
9. Úbeda
10. Deià
by Simona Piccinelli, Italy specialist
Is there any better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than with bubbly? We certainly don’t think so!
So here is our selection of our favorite sparkling wines of the year- the perfect match for every mood, enjoy:
Speaking of sparkling wines, champagne is of course the king of bubbles and apart from well known maisons, like Krug, Bollinger, Ruinart, Veuve Cliquot, etc, we particularly love:
Champagne Tarlant - La Vigne d’Antan
This Champagne comes from ungrafted vines, just as they were before phylloxera, thanks to a unique terroir. 100% Chardonnay, improved on the yeasts for over 6 years, it is a great wine, elegant and aromatic. It has rich minerality, hints of apples and acacia flowers and suggestions of hazelnuts and almonds.
Champagne Larmandier Bernier – Premier Cru Nature Terre de Vertus
Single cru Champagne, 100% Chardonnay, vintage 2006, pas dosé (no sugar added). Few facts for this awesome Champagne except that it is delicate, fresh, with notes of flowers and chalkiness.
Champagne Mailly – Blanc de Noirs
Champagne vineyards
This Champagne is made of Pinot Noir only. It is complex, very elegant, with long finish.
Leaving France to the side for a minute, we also have some very good recommendations for you for Italian and Spanish bubbly:
Franciacorta region: Mosnel - Parosè 2004
A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay for this unusual wine, pas dosè (no sugar added) and rosè, as the name suggests. It has pale onion-skin colour, aromas of wild berry and fresh spices, long-lasting finish. More on the Mosnel wine estate here.
Franciacorta region: Bellavista - Riserva Vittorio Moretti 2002
Mr Vittorio Moretti, the founder and owner of Bellavista winery, labelled this wine with his own name, to guarantee that it is the best of his production. Outstanding blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it has character and personality.
The nose is elegant and concentrated, with aromas of peach, honey and white fruit. Fresh, mineral and intense.
Campania region: Feudi di San Gregorio – Dubl
A joint venture with the Champagne maestro Selosse gave life to these unusual sparkling wines from Irpinia – Campania, made with local grapes such as Greco, Falanghina and Aglianico. More on Feudi.
Penedès region: Cava Parés Baltà – Cuvée de Carol
100% Chardonnay for this boutique cava, with intense yellow golden color, intense aroma of fruit and creamy taste. More on this FABULOUS estate here.
Penedès wine region: Cava Agusti Torello – Kripta Gran Reserva 2003
A real masterpiece, made with 45% Macabeo, 23% Xarel-lo and 32% Parellada. It ages 4 years and it is complex, structured, with hints of ripe fruit and light toasted notes.
Cava Segura Viudas – Brut Vintage Cava
Aged in bottle for 3 years, it is made only in exceptional vintages.
Cheers!
Enjoy some of our photos of Asturias, in Northern “Green” Spain, one of our FAVORITE places to disconnect, eat well and relax. Stunning nature, sea and mountains, delicious local cuisine, super friendly locals- what more could one ask for?
Antonio Banderas- Wine Tourism Plans in Spain
The world´s favorite actor from Spain, Antonio Banderas, has long been interested in wine (he is part owner of a winery called “Anta Banderas ” in Ribera del Duero, making quality wines and olive oil) and he has announced last week that he anticipates some exciting new wine tourism projects at his estate. They are looking at the possibility of a wine hotel, also launching conferences and forums on wine and literature and he is quoted as saying “I want to promote wine tourism!”- sounds great to us! Antonio, we are waiting for more news on this wine hotel!
Antonio Banderas- Wine s
Many celebrities are attracted to the world of wine, from Gerard Depardieu who has a winery in the Loire (Chateau de Tigné) among other pet wine projects, to Jurassic Park star Sam Neill who owns the Two Paddocks estate in New Zealand. And of course the most famous Hollywood personality involved in wine is Francis Ford Coppola whose Napa estate is hugely successful.
Keeping things light:
Here are some of our suggestions for the weirdest and wackiest museums in Europe.
Enjoy this silly list, and feel free to send us your tips for weird museums or tourist attractions you have encountered while travelling in Europe-
1. Museum of Sewers, Paris
2. Stockfish museum, Norway
3. Phallus Museum in Iceland- seriously…
4. Medieval Torture and Crime museum in San Gimignano, Italy
5. The Fan Museum, England
6. Moscow Cat Museum
7. The German Leather Museum
8. Bandit Museum, Ronda, Spain
9. Witchcraft Museum, England
10. Erotic Museum Amsterdam
With Jewish holidays around the corner, many of you will already be planning the food and wine. If you are sick of the same old wines, why not look further afield?
Spain, still home to a population of Sephardic Jews (particularly in Catalunya), has a a growing number of Kosher wines available, here is a list of some of the better ones to pick up:
1. Flor de Primavera (Capçanes) from Montsant. This was the first kosher wine sold commercially in Spain and is considered indeed to be one of the finest kosher wines in the world. Info on winery here.
2. Alate Kosher from Navarra. Info on winery here.
3.Tikvah (Tagonius) from Madrid. Info on the estate here.
4. Ramon Cardova from Rioja. Recommended by the Chicago Tribune in a Kosher wine feature. Info on the wine here.
5. And probably the most famous Kosher wine company in Spain must be Elvi Wines, Spanish Jewish owners, making delicious kosher wines all over the peninsula including the regions of Priorat, Rioja, Utiel-Requena, Ribera del Júcar, and Cava. Main brands include Makor, 770, and Adar.
Check out the Kosher Wine Society’s tips in Spain a Luxury Mercedes chauffeured wine tours can be organized to kosher estates in Spain as part of a Jewish Heritage tour with Cellar Tours.
Are you thinking of popping the question and just can’t think of where to do it or how to make it special?
Do you want to organize the time of her life and cherish the memories of your proposal day forever?
Are you looking for a unique, incomparable, ultra romantic and creative wedding proposal idea?
Well, you have come to the right place! We are incorrigible romantics and have a few ideas that are sure to make her so impressed, she will say “yes”:
1). VERONA, ITALY- ROMEO & JULIET
Spend a night in one of the most romantic historic hotels in Italy- in the courtyard of Juliet’s house in Verona, booking the room “Il Cuore” at the magical “Il Sogno di Giulietta”, overlooking Juliet’s courtyard and balcony. In the morning, go out to your private terrace for a champagne breakfast where she will see a medieval style banner hanging from Juliet’s balcony, saying “Will you marry me?”. Below, a private serenade with local musicians will be the final coup de grace!
2). BARCELONA , SPAIN- JEEP RIDE THROUGH THE VINES & PICNIC
Your Mercedes will pick you up at your hotel in Barcelona and sweep you away to the Penedès wine country, about an hour south. Upon arrival to the wine estate, meet your charming hosts and hop into the jeep to tour the beautiful vineyards. Stop at a the 13th century hermitage on the property, at the hill´s summit and a romantic picnic will be set up for you. When the Cava bottle is popped, you can pop the question while looking out at the vast vineyards and Mediterranean sea in the distance. Follow with a private tour of the estate and celebrate with a glass of their excellent “Honeymoon”, an interesting single varietal wine, made with 100% Parellada, an aromatic Catalan grape.
3). DOURO VALLEY, PORTUGAL- WINE CRUISE
If you or your partner are port wine lovers, there is no better place to spend this special day than in the breathtaking Douro Valley. Stay at the luxury spa hotel Aquapura and about an hour before sunset take a private Rabelo cruise on the Douro River. These are replica Vintage boats traditionally used to carry the wine down the river from Douro to the lodges in Oporto. Sip chilled white port while taking in the views of the vineyards and colonial style Quintas. On one of them, a banner with “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” will be displayed when the boat passes by. When you get back to the hotel, rose petals will have been spread around your hotel room, and a bottle of bubbly awaits…
4). MADRID, SPAIN- WINE, ART AND ROMANCE
For art and wine lovers, Madrid is an interesting destination. Begin the morning with a private guided tour of the outstanding Prado museum with a focus on wine throughout the ages and in art. To follow, enjoy a supremely entertaining private wine tasting masterclass in a 19th century refined building with exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable hosts. Among the bottles lined on the table, one will have a custom made label saying “Will you marry me?” Your celebratory toast will be with the stunning Krpta cava.
5). VENICE, ITALY-PRIVATE COOK´S TOUR AND SUNSET GONDOLA
No woman can resist a man who cooks. So, why not organize a market tour and a private cooking class for the two of you as part of your vacation in Italy. Venice is the ultimate romantic destination and you can spend a day taking in a Rialto market tour with gourmet tastings and learn how to cook the perfect Italian meal! After the lunch with your private and charming chef, tasting your own creations, you will get a diploma. On your girlfriend’s one, it will read “Will you marry me?. Finish this unforgettable day with a gondola ride at sunset with bubbles on board!
6). TUSCANY, ITALY- HOT AIR BALLOON AT SUNRISE
As a day excursion from Florence to Siena, head to the Chianti wine country at dawn and watch the spectacular colors of the early morning over the olive groves and medieval villages as you float over this fairy tale land on your own private hot air balloon. When your champagne toast is served on board, a note will accompany the tray saying “Say yes and let´s have a reason to celebrate, marry me!” When you land, your driver will be waiting and you´ll spend a day in the wine country including an incredible Michelin starred lunch in a 14th century hamlet.
7). BORDEAUX, FRANCE- SUNSET PROPOSAL AT TOP CHATEAU
Spend a night at a gorgeous Chateau in Bordeaux´s left bank on the “Chateaux Route”, taking in a private dinner in the historic dining room. At sunset, go for a walk on the manicured grounds, and as you are served your aperitif by elegant waiter, the box for the ring will be presented with the wine along with a single rose. Voilà, the perfect moment to propose.
8). CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE-TOAST IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE WORLD´S BEST BUBBLY
Take a day tour to Champagne from Paris. After a morning of wine tasting, enjoy a gourmet aphrodisiac´s lunch on a private terrace facing the vineyards. Your waiter will be working with you on this, now when you select the wine, he will come back with a magnum bottle of champagne. On it your fiancée´s name will be painted on it, along with the message of your choice. A variation of the champagne theme can be a private “sabrage” in a champagne cave like at the beautiful Pommery cellar, where you will have the perfect private moment to propose.
9). PRIORAT, SPAIN- HELICOPTER WEDDING PROPOSAL AND WINE TASTING
If money is no object and you want to have the experience of a lifetime, spend a day visiting a top Priorat vineyard Costers del Siurana by private helicopter from Barcelona. When you arrive to the wine estate the owner himself will board the helicopter with you and you´ll get expert commentary on this gorgeous region with its terraced vineyards from the air. Land again and cruise the vineyards by landrover before carrying on to a vertical tasting of top vintages at the winery. An 8 course gourmet feast is next, each course paired with estate wines. When things can´t get any better, the dessert will be presented, with the ring inside the tart. Absolutely fantastic way to propose.
10). ROSS CASTLE, IRELAND- PRIVATE BOAT AND PROPOSAL IN MYSTICAL LAKE
Your driver and vintage Rolls Royce will collect you at your hotel in Ireland´s Kerry or Cork regions and you´ll travel through idyllic landscapes to the ethereal Killarney lakes. Board a private boat at Ross Castle, and once you have sailed tot he middle of the lake, your gourmet picnic basket will be presented. Smoked organic salmon, artisan Irish cheeses, homemade Gubbeen oatcakes and of course a chilled bottle of champagne will be included. Present your lover with an Irish Claddagh ring as the engagement ring…
More great ideas of how to pop the question:
* Treasure Hunt in a Castle
* Horsedrawn Carriage Proposal
* Horseback riding at sunset through the vineyards
* Private dinner in a vineyard
* Venetian Carnival and Masquerade Dance Proposal
More info: Cellar Tours offer fabulous custom designed marriage proposal tours
