With Spain being so popular, and the area of Rioja having it's own month (October) we are now delving into Eat Spain-Drink Spain November! Which so far, with a great virtual Spanish wine tasting and food pairing by Owen Morgan at Bar 44 Bristol, has been delicious to say the least.

Amazing wines are grown and produced in every corner of Spain. Rias Baixas in the North West produces their luscious yet dry Albarinos, of which our Pirueta is a classic example. Citrus and floral aromas with a touch of stone fruit, on the palate it displays a mouth-filling fruity character perfectly balanced with the vibrant zingy acidity. Jumilla to the East is full of well structured Monastrell, and from Ego Bodegas we have Goru - 38 Barrels. Made from a blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that has spent 12 months in new French and American oak barrels before bottling. Intense cherry-red in colour with violet shades, delicate black fruit aroma with roasted and smoky features. Subtle and smart palate, ripe appetising and sweet tannins marked by elegance.

Down to Jerex in the South making the unique fortified wines of Sherry. Hidalgo do a wonderful Oloroso - the sweeter, smooth style of sherry. With aromas of dried fruit, the palate is full, rich, warm, sweet and very smooth and perfect for pre-dinner nibbles. Lustau's dry Amontillados, with hazelnut aromas, are soft and round on the palate, great as an aperitif, with asparagus, artichokes and Asian dishes. The diversity is incredible.

Spain has by far got to be one of the most versatile food and wine countries on our planet!   Creating white wines that can withstand the pressure of, and indeed stand side-by-side with the likes of the typical Spanish truffle cured Jamon, anchovies in olive oil, olive and even artichokes marinated in vinegar. That's pretty impressive already.  Our Capellania Rioja Blanco is one of those whites. Smoky, nutty on nose and palate with bold vanilla oak flavours and dried stone fruit character, for all the oak power there is a superb balance and texture, fine acidity and long almond finish. Then you have their fruity yet oakey and complex reds; enjoy on their own, or paired together perfectly with spicy Patatas Bravas, rich-sumptuous lamb and luscious Paella.  Yum.  Then Spain's crisp and vibrant Cavas that are also gorgeous on their own as an aperitif, or even better with Gazpacho, Iberic ham, tinned sturgeon as well as many other traditional tapas dishes. The possibilities of wine and food matches in the country are incredible and almost endless...

The great and iconic ' Tapas', which originated in Southern Spain are all about the social culture of eating and drinking outside the home, similar-ish to the English culture of public houses. However, the Tapeo (tapas crawl), unlike the English 'Pub Crawl', is not primarily a drinking event. It's purely about having an array of different delicious foods, and a warm social atmosphere with good company. 'Tapas is a way of life' they say, and in Spain you really do feel like great food and wines are what the country lives for, long may that continue.

Make the most of our 10% discount for the whole of November across all of our Spanish wines, cavas and sherries in our Indian Queens shop and online.