Newsletter Spring 2009

Emilia Romagna is the gourmet epicenter of Italy, where you will find the birthplace of Parma and Culatello ham, Parmigiano Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, and countless types of pasta from Tortellini to Tagliatelle. It’s also home to the charming and very lively town of Bologna and the Crossroads Jazz Festival this year. We have put together this short weekend for foodies and jazz lovers:

Sample Program for Gourmet Jazz Weekend, Bologna:

Day 1 May 22- Bologna and Welcome Dinner

• Arrive to Bologna airport and private transfer to your quaint, historic hotel. Free afternoon to relax and settle in. This afternoon you will enjoy a gourmet walking tour with private guide visiting Bologna’s gastronomic gem like an ancient chocolate master, a historic cheesemongers, and a charming enoteca. Enjoy your guide’s anecdotes and local legends as you maneuver through the medieval cobblestoned steps of Bologna.
• Welcome dinner tonight at the superb Marco Fadiga Bistrot!

Day 2 May 23- Parmigiano, Culatello, Jazz

• Today you will discover the “Food Valley” of Emilia Romagna, visiting a Parmigiano producer and Culatello ham ageing cellar followed by an exceptional wine lunch near the Colorno Palace at Al Vedel.
• Explore Parma in the afternoon and free time in Bologna.
• Tonight you will head to nearby Imola for a fabulous jazz concert as part of the Crossroads Jazz Festival at the Teatro dell ´ Osservanza. The Lydian Sound Orchestra will be performing “Music Is My Mistress”, The “M” Factor: Morton, Mingus, Monk, Miles & the Main Master. The lineup includes Pietro Tonolo, Nicola Fazzini, and Rossano Emili on sax; Kyle Gregory on the trumpet; Roberto Rossi on trombone; Dario Duso on the tuba; Marc Abrams on bass; Mauro Beggio on the drums and with guest star Don Moye on percussion.

Day 3 May 24- Galleria Ferrari & Arrivederci

• Visit the one and only Galleria Ferrari this morning, and follow with a wine tasting and lunch at a local wine estate.
• The rest of the afternoon is yours in Bologna and your driver will take you to your next port of call.

If you are interested in organizing a Jazz and Wine weekend in Italy, contact us at info@cellartours.com

In the medieval hamlet of Cuzcurrita in the beautiful Rioja wine region in northern Spain, this wine is made on a stunning estate that features an authentic castle, manicured gardens and a state of the art winemaking facility. The winemaker here is Ana martin, Spain’s most famous female “flying winemaker” also responsible for the fantastic wines at Itsas Mendi in the Basque Country and Guitan in Galicia´s Valdeorras appellation. This wine, Señorío de Cuzcurrita, is made with ancient Tempranillo vines (some dating back over 80 years) and is an elegant and modern style Rioja- fruit forward with perfectly integrated oak (some of the old fashioned Riojas can be over-oaked for some palates). Tempting notes of vanilla and cedar on the nose and refreshing dark fruits on the palate. Great mouthfeel. Serve this on a late spring or early summer’s evening, dining on lamb chops and piquillo peppers al fresco. Magical.

Wine Style: Dry red wine
Appellation: DOC La Rioja
Region: La Rioja, Spain
Grape Varietals:Tempranillo
Food and Wine Pairing: Baby lamb chops, Foie Gras on toast with caramelized onions, Manchego or any cured sheep’s cheese

There has never been a better time to visit Portugal’s majestic Douro valley wine region than now. Spectacular new luxury hotels have finally opened in the Douro, and yet the region is still a relative secret, free of the crowds. Spend your relaxing vacation here tasting vintage ports; sailing on a private Rabelo cruise along the Douro River, hanging out and sipping chilled white port at trendy eateries overlooking the river; and trying your hand at Portuguese cooking at Quinta da Pacheca, where you can enjoy private cooking classes given by the count´s wife. Sleep at Aquapura, a stunning hotel situated in a historic Portuguese manor that has been completely redesigned and has a fusion Zen feel about it (which boasts a world class Spa with Asian influences in the treatments). Visit wonderful boutique wine estates such as Quinta do Crasto, Quinta Gaviosa and of course our beloved Pacheca...

More info on these private wine tasting weekends in the Douro Valley Douro Valley Port Wine Tours...

With Ferran Adria recently voted the best chef in the world, for yet another year in a row, the region of Catalonia is still firmly in the globetrotting foodie´s travel calendar. Barcelona, the bustling cultural and metropolitan capital of Catalonia is an absolute pleasure for food and wine lovers to visit. Apart from numerous Michelin starred restaurants, Barcelona is characterized by its outstanding food markets like the Boqueria and Santa Caterina; its quaint gourmet shops specializing in cheese, chocolates, wines (and so much more!); its trendy neighborhood restaurants and stylish tapas bars; and of course its fabulous hotels like the Casa Fuster and Hotel Arts- 2 of the best in Spain. We have designed this luxurious weekend for foodies who want private and VIP gourmet experiences as well as a bit of pampering

More info on Culinary Weekends in Barcelona Barcelona Culinary Weekends...

Until you have tasted an 80 year old Balsamic Vinegar in its birthplace, you have not lived! Made in the mythical “food valley” of Italy, Emilia Romagna (where Parma ham, Culatello ham, and Parmigiano cheese are all made), balsamico tours have become all the rage. The vinegars are made around the handsome town of Modena in historic cellars called “Acetaias”. Some are just gorgeous, such as the Acetaia Sereni with views over the vineyards below (this is also the preferred balsamico of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver). Apart from tasting ancient balsamicos (drizzled on everything from vanilla gelato to pecorino cheese to raw red pepper!) our private chauffeured Balsamico tours can also include visits to wine estates and cheese producers; cultural tours of Modena, Parma or Bologna; and lunches in extraordinary Michelin starred restaurants in the region. More info on these VIP Balsamico tours.

More info on Balsamico Tours, Modena Balsamico Tours, Modena ...

This is a very exciting time for Irish foodies and for gourmets touring Ireland. Never before has there been such as “foodbuzz” in the emerald isle as now. This year just to give you an idea, Ireland will be holding an array of food festivals, you can see a full calendar on our blog. Your first port of call in Ireland is likely to be Dublin, and we highly suggest that your first dinner be at Chapter one! Cork born chef co-proprietor Ross Lewis is a famous foodie personality, well known in food and wine circles around the world from the States to Australia. Wine in fact is a passion of his, and the redesigned wine list includes stellar wines such as Penfolds Grange, Hugel´s Tokay Pinot Gris Vendange Tardives, and Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Les Beaumonts’ Domaine Dujac

The romantic restaurant is located in the former Jameson Whiskey family residence. These days, the main building houses the Dublin Writers Museum and Chapter One has the atmospheric cellar here. Begin dinner here with the earthy chestnut soup, herbed chicken dumpling, truffle and hazelnut cream. Or perhaps the artisan Ardsallagh goats cheese, aubergine (eggplant) puree, and roast artichokes. Share the gorgeous langoustine and smoked bacon spring roll dressed with a red pepper basquaise puree and basil. For your main dish, try the Suckling pig shoulder with carrot and cumin, endive braised with orange and walnut, and palm sugar glaze. Why not finish with a Molten apple fondant with a calvados sauce and homemade cinnamon ice cream? And of course while in Ireland, it would be a crime not to taste their rare whiskies and nothing concludes a great meal better than a sip of Midleton Rare.

La Bella Sicilia- one of our favorite places on earth! This is the land of Greek temples, blood oranges, freshly made Cannoli, sexy Nero d’Avola wines, dramatic coastlines and strikingly beautiful people. While Eastern Sicily (Taormina, Siracusa, etc) has been the jetsetters stomping grounds for centuries ever since the Grand Tour, Western Sicily has been slightly off the beaten track and as such has had a lack of luxury hotels. That is, until now. The Kempinski resort, opened a few years ago in the south-western countryside near the small village of Mazara del Vallo is one of the best hotels we have stayed at for years. Kid you not, their beds are the best we have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in, in all of our travels in Italy! Set in pristine countryside amid olive groves and vineyards, this luxurious resort is supremely relaxing and only one hour from Palermo. This is a terrific base to visit the wine country (Marsala, and other cellars in the vicinity such as Planeta) as well as the ethereal templates at Segesta and the fairy tale village of Erice. Come and stay a few nights and disconnect from the world and pamper yourself in their magnificent spa (although if like us, you unfortunately have to connect, there is great Wifi here). Stay at the Kempinski on our luxurious wine tour of Western Sicily

More on Tours of Italy Sicily Wine Tours...

It’s time to welcome Spring! The days are finally getting longer and sunnier and the social calendar is filling up with weekend barbecues, outdoor picnics and brunches. One of the best cocktails for these is without a doubt the Mimosa (also called “Buck´s Fizz). There is much debate about where this cocktail was invented (there are theories for both Paris and London, back in the 1920´s), but these days California has to be where these cocktails are most popular! Especially fun for elegant ladies brunches! Easy, quick, light and pairs perfectly with eggs benedict, pancakes, savory crepes, Italian frittata, etc.

Recipe:

• 1 Bottle of Sparkling wine (cava, prosecco, etc)
• 1 Bottle of fresh squeezed orange juice

Preparation

In a glass pitcher, combine the ingredients (extra cold) and serve immediately in proper champagne glasses. Garnish the glasses with twisted orange slices and for added oomph, add a dash of Cointreau. For a variation of the classic Mimosa, try using Pomegranate juice instead of orange juice. Another nice variation is to serve the wine over frozen raspberries. Enjoy!.

Nothing says spring more than fresh, just- in-season, aromatic and juicy strawberries- absolutely tantalizing when dipped in chocolate or cream and enjoyed with a demi-sec champagne! Every year at about this time, bright and beautiful red strawberries arrive to supermarkets around the world in their little green baskets. The USA tops the world’s production of strawberries (over a million tons of strawberries per year!), with Spain coming in 3rd place at a hefty 300,000 tons. In addition to being delicious and low in calories, Strawberries are a tremendous source of vitamin C and one of the famed “anti-cancer” fruits, with numerous health benefits including added protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis. You can enjoy strawberries in every meal. Slice them and throw them into salads with almonds and spinach and dress with balsamic vinegar; serve them over fresh yoghurt with drizzled honey on top; bake them into strawberry pie; serve inside crepes with cream and atop strawberry shortcake; or just eat them plain!

If you would like us to customize a luxury private tour for you (in Spain, Italy, Ireland, France or Portugal), contact us and we will prepare a tailored itinerary just for you. Let us show you our favorite gourmet corners in Europe!

We organize chauffeured wine tours and luxurious cooking vacations. Private tours, just for you....

Let us show you our favorite gourmet corners in Europe!

Cellar Tastings S.L.
Address: Infantas, n. 27, 3 Derecha,
28004 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 521 3939
Fax: +34 91 521 4757

Email: info@cellartours.com
Web: www.CellarTours.com
Blog: www.CellarTours.com/blog

Contact us today!

CELLAR TASTINGS S.L. is a Fully Licensed and Bonded Tour Operator and Travel Agency, and a proud member of ASTA and the IACP.