Spanish Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event

PR Log (Press Release) – Aug 26, 2008 – Epicurean Ways and the Market Street Wine Shop led a wine and olive oil tasting event on Monday, August 25, 2008, in the Pink Warehouse, home of Spain on Main in Downtown Charlottesville. The event featured a Catalan Wine tasting session led by Robert Harllee, owner of the Market Street Wine Shop and a Spanish Olive Oil tasting session led by Jane Gregg, owner of Epicurean Ways.

Robert introduced the audience to 6 Catalan wines and 1 from Aragón (just over the border  from Catalunya). He began the session with a delightful cava-Cristalino Cava Brut. Very Champagne-like in its racy, minerally bouquet and clean finish, for many was the wine find of the evening at $8.99 a bottle. Two Catalan whites, one rosé, two reds and the Campo de Borja (red) from Aragón followed, and gave a sense of the range and quality of wines from Catalunya. See Robert's wine list at the bottom of the page.

Jane then led a guided tasting of Spanish olive oils. She began with Oli Cocons Arbequina, a fruity olive oil with hints of almond from Catalunya. Next was Dauro, an award-winning oil from the Baix Empordà region of Catalunya, which is a blend of Arbequina, Hojiblanca and Koroneiki olives. Dauro's blend produces a gentle flavored oil ideal for gazpachos and and delicate seafood dishes and lacks the volatility of 100% Arbequina oils. Oleo Quirós, Denominación de origen Montes de Toledo, made from Cornicabra olives, was next, and presented a mild, buttery flavor. It is ideal for use with stewed vegetables and to make mayonnaise. The fourth oil was Silencio (Finca de los Desterrados) made by Spanish winemaker Torres. The 100% Picual oil is fruity with a light grassy finish. A multi-purpose oil-perfect for everything from fried fish to salads.

Jane also introduced the audience to Spanish Sherry Wine Vinegar with Columela's Vinagre de Jerez Solera 30 años Denominación de origen Jerez de la Frontera, three types of Spanish olives and Manchego cheese, Spain's most well known cheese.

ROBERT'S LIST OF CATALAN WINES 8-25-08
Cava:
Cristalino Cava DO Brut

Rosé:
Castillo Perelada Vino de Aguja NV Rosado "Cresta Rosa"

White:
Can Feixes Penedes Blanc Seleccio 2007
Castillo Perelada Roc Catalunya DO Blanco 2006

Red:
Castell del Remei "Gotim Bru" Costers del Segre DO 2003
Vinicola del Priorat "Onix" Priorat DOQ Classic 2004
Bodegas Aragonesas "Don Ramon" Campo de Borja 2006 (Aragón)

Contact Robert at Market Street Wine Shop or Jane at Epicurean Ways for more information on Spanish food, wine and food and wine tours in Spain.

Jane Gregg is the owner of Epicurean Ways which offers food/wine and cooking tours in Catalunya and throughout Spain. Jane divides her time between Barcelona and Charlottesville.

Contact: http://epicureanways.com  jane@epicureanways.com  866-642-2917

Robert Harllee owns the Market Street Wine Shop in Charlottesville and leads weekly wine tasting sessions at both the downtown and uptown locations. Robert has researched Spanish wine extensively on his many trips to Spain. http://www.marketstreetwine.com/