Many people forget that the Rioja wine region is one-third Basque.  Rioja Alavesa, located in the Basque province of Álava, is tucked between the north bank of the Ebro River and the Cantabrian Mountain Range.  As Rioja’s northernmost region, there …

Last update: November 15, 2016

A little over a month ago I had the chance to spend a fun-filled, 12-hour day with Rick Steves, who was in town updating the Madrid chapter of his 2017 Spain guidebook.  Rick likes to meet up with local guides …

Last update: June 10, 2016

While the previous wine review looked at the history and flavor profile of classic Rioja through Bodegas Faustino’s Gran Reserva, it’s time to look at the other side of the coin. Fernándo Remírez de Ganuza is one of modern Rioja’s …

Last update: April 26, 2016

Few people would hesitate to include Spain among Europe’s top cheese producing nations.  The country is blessed with extreme geographical diversity – many don’t know that it’s Europe’s second highest country after Switzerland – which in turn makes for an …

Last update: March 2, 2016

It’s a bold statement when a nation feels so strongly about a food, that they establish an international day to celebrate it.  You think I’m joking, but Spain has established January 16th as International Croquette Day. However, an internet search …

Last update: February 22, 2016

Rioja is undoubtedly Spain’s most famous wine region, often presented as the “typical Spanish wine” to first time visitors.  Native to and synonymous with the region is the star grape of Spanish wine, Tempranillo (tem-pra-KNEE-yo). Perhaps no other Spanish wine …

Last update: February 15, 2016

On a quiet back street in central Madrid, just a five-minute walk from the famous Prado Museum, lies Motteau, one of the city’s newest and most heavenly artisan pastry shops. Motteau is not just another pretty face in Madrid’s hip …

Last update: February 7, 2016

Being that Spain is one the world’s top #3 wine producers, it’s surprising that Madrid doesn’t have more wine bars like Casa Gonzalez, quite simply my favorite in the city.  Not only does Casa Gonzalez offer over 40 wines by …

Last update: June 9, 2016

As Spain’s most well-known native white grape, Albariño (AL-BA-REEN-YO) rings a bell to most white wine drinkers, even if its appellation D.O. Rías Baixas, does not. The fragrant, crisp, dry white wine produced by this classic variety has become increasingly …

Last update: August 2, 2014

My mother-in-law Fresita - of Escalivada fame - once told me an old Galician proverb from her childhood, “para enomorarse y amasar, tiempo hay que tomar.” I hesitate to translate it, as the original essence is much more romantic than …

Last update: February 24, 2016