Who is this course aimed at?
This workshop is intended for those with a passion for good food and wine and in particular the unique culinary heritage of Spain. We invite you on a regional tour discovering the wonderful and exciting local foods of this county.
Our Goal
'A Country’s cuisine is its landscape in a cooking pot' said the Catalan writer Josep Pla. There was never a truer word written about Spain. We aim to awaken and enliven your appetite for Spain’s variety, the countless facets of nature, culture and cuisine. The great range in climate is a sure sign that this country has more than just one unified culinary tradition: The cool, damp northwest produces a very different food from the constantly mild Mediterranean or the sparse plateau of central Spain, with its hot summers and icy winters. Our goal is to unfold the true wealth of Spanish wine and cuisine through a delightful and sensual gastronomic tour of the country’s regions and traditions.
Course Content
The following subjects will be covered during the course of the day on a country and regional basis.
- Overview and History
- Introduction to the geography, climate, various regions and grape varieties.
- The quality control system
- Key wine making and viticultural practises
- Tradition versus new innovations
- Vintages and ageing potential
- The undiscovered secret of fine Sherry
- Wine and Food matching
- The future for Spain
Syllabus/Agenda
- Student introductions and summary of day’s activities (glass of fino sherry and almonds to start) (1 wine tasted)
- Catalonia,(D.O. Penedes, D.O Priorat, D.O.Tarragona, (and The Balearic Islands(3 wines served)
- Aragon Somontano, Pyrenees,(2 wines served)
- Navarra and la Rioja (3 wines tasted)
- Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Castile-Leon, Madrid, Extramadure, (Valencia (2 wines tasted)
- Murcia and Andalusia (2 wines tasted)
- Summary and Question Time
Time(s)
11am - 4pm
Equipment
Your tasting glasses will be provided. Please bring a pen and paper.
Dinner/Lunch
A selection of Tapas style dishes will be served through the day from each region to match the local wines.
Sample Menu
Salted Marcona almond
Catalunia, Balearic Island
Mushroom tortilla
Garrotxa Mont-Bru goat’s cheese and mambrillo
Enebral Sobrasada on toast
Aragon
Jamon de Turel and arbequina olives
Navarra, La Rioja
Seared piquillo peppers with cabernet sauvignon
Chorizo, chickpea and peppers stew
Asturias, Galicia
Picos blue and almond bread
Tetina cheese
Deep-fried salted cod with saffron garlic aioli
Murcia, Andalusia
Chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams and peppers paella
Thin sliced Mojama marinated in arbequina olive oil
Pedro Ximinez and vanilla ice cream
Other Information
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers can be purchased over the phone or online, either for a specific course date or as an open voucher. These can be used towards any of our workshops.
Timetable
How to Book
You can book online or alternatively please return our booking form via email or fax 0845 5551100, along with your payment. We accept Visa, Switch or MasterCard. We aim to acknowledge receipt of your booking via email, as soon as possible, but no later than within 3 working days.
Venues