INEDIT by Ferran Adrià, Perfectly Created to Pair with Food

INEDIT is a magnificent craft beer created by Ferran Adrià —the world’s most awarded chef—, Juli Soler—his longtime business partner— and elBulli’s sommeliers’ team. This beer, was specifically created to be paired with food.

After tasting it, we can say that it’s one of the most unique beer tasting experiences we’ve ever had. It’s crisp, light and almost with a palate cleansing effect after each sip.

Estrella Damm the brewery from Barcelona, Spain was established in 1876 by August Kuentzmann Damm and his wife Melanie. Like many Prussian immigrants of their time, they chose Barcelona to become their new home and the place to start a life long dream.
Right up to the present day, eleven generations of master brewers are still brewing the Estrella Damm beer.

INEDIT is a unique combination of different ingredients where barley malt, wheat and yeast are the predominant ones. INEDIT is not your typical wheat yeasty beer. After adding hops, coriander, orange peel and liquorice, the end product is just like no other beer you’ve ever had. This beer is not only very aromatic but very complex at the same time. This beer is truly a fine beer with a delicate combination of ingredients. This beer is not heavy, yet somewhat yeasty.

This beer is best enjoyed chilled in a white wine glass. To fully appreciate the quality and flavor of the beer just fill half of the glass, sit back and enjoy. This beer goes great with any dish and even challenging foods such as stews, asparagus, artichokes, salmon, strong cheeses and even sweets. Its appearance is slightly cloudy. Fruity and floral to the nose, with a yeasty sensation and reminiscences of sweet spices. Creamy and crisp in texture, soft volume and smooth carbonation. Long aftertaste and pleasant memory.

Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $10-15 and be prepared to look for it as hard as you can.

 

‘Marqués de Murrieta’ A Legacy From Rioja!!!

 

This beautiful winery in the heart of ‘La Rioja’ is not only a great example of what world-class winemaking is about, but it also has a lot of history behind it. It’s founder ‘Don Luciano Francisco Ramón de Murrieta’ was not only one of the most loyal and renowned wine makers in the ‘Rioja’ region of Spain, but also a commander in the royal Spanish forces back in the 1840′s. In 1852, he filled 100 casks containing 72 liters of his wine and shipped them from Spain directly to Cuba and Mexico. In 1878, ‘Don Luciano’ purchased the ‘Ygay‘ Estate in the heart of Logroño’, capital of ‘La Rioja’ and the legacy began.

 

 

 

In 1907 he was named Honorary Freeman of ‘La Rioja’, thanks to all his contributions to the wine industry, always helping the poor and supporting the advancement of the city. In 1911 ‘Don Luciano’ died without any heirs and his nephew ‘Julián de Olivares’ inherited the vineyard. In 1983, the Count of Creixell ‘Don Vicente Cebrián’  bought the winery and decided to make it one of the best wineries in the world. In 1996, ‘Don Vicente’ passed away at the very young age of 48 and it was then when his wife and children took over his work and decided to carry on with the saga.

 

 

 

 ‘Marqués de Murrieta’ Reserva 2005 is not only a great wine, but a wine that is moderately priced and very affordable. The wine has a full body and the distinguished character of the wines that come from the ‘Ygay‘ Estate.

The color is bright cherry with garnet glints. Musky notes on the nose. Excellent harmony in the mouth with hints of: blackberry, pepper and olives; the aging of this wine results in a well balanced, full-bodied taste with almost no tannins. On the palate, powerful, extraordinary and elegant. This wine pairs nicely with ‘Manchego’ or ‘Idiazabal’ cheese as well as with Venison Paté. On a scale from 0-10 we give this wine an 9.1 Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $22-28 Overall, is an excellent wine with elegance and sophistication for a very modest price.

 

‘Joselito’ The Best ‘Pata Negra Iberico’ Ham in the World!!!

Once you have filled your winebota with a beautiful Spanish wine, you need to indulge yourself with some ‘Ibérico Pata Negra’ (Black Hoof Iberian) ham that can only come from those pigs that are acorn fed and with a black hoof. Without a doubt the best ‘jamón’ (ham) maker in Spain is ‘Joselito’, a company based in ‘Guijuelo’, south of Salamanca and west of Madrid. To give you a better idea, chefs like Ferran Adrià, Joël Robuchon, Juan Mari Arzak and  Andoni Luis Aduriz serve ‘Joselito’ ham in their restaurants. “The quality is unbeatable,” Arzak says. Rafael García Santos, the highly influential Spanish food critic, rates the ‘Joselito Gran Reserva’ at 9.75 out of a possible 10—which in his view makes it the best food product of any kind in the country.

‘Joselito’ has has earned mythic status in Spain. It’s not easy to find – only the most famous restaurants serve it. The company’s annual production is modest – hams are often reserved (and paid for) years in advance. ‘Joselito’ is one of the few ham producers that maintains its own extensive R&D program, and one of two that refuses to use any kind of preservatives, ever.

These special reserve ‘paletas de bellota’ (acorn fed pork legs) are firm and consistent. The ham just melts in your mouth. The fine, translucent fat is sparse, but the meat is evenly marbled. The aromas are spectacular and a lifetime experience. Everything else you’ve heard about Joselito ham is true!

The Perfect Tapas Night!

No tapas night is complete without your favorite winebota filled with a delicious wine by your side. In our humble opinion, a perfect tapas night should start with a decent bottle of wine from Spain. Whether you like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Bierzo, Penedes or any other wine region from Spain, you need to get a bottle of wine that it’s at least $13.00 Seriously, you can’t get a decent bottle of good wine for under $13.00

In this case we recommend a mid-price ‘Ribera del Duero’ called Mogar Vendimia Seleccionada 2006 by Bodegas Pagos de Mogar located in Valladolid, Spain. The color is bright ruby red. Fresh and complex notes on the nose. Excellent harmony that includes coffee, oak and berries aromas. On the palate, powerful and sophisticated. This wine pairs nicely with all types of cold cuts and cheeses. On a scale from 0-10 we give this wine an 8.6 Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $18-22 Overall is a good everyday wine.

Now, when it comes to food, you need good quality cold cuts straight from Spain. Some reputable makers are ‘Campofrío’, ‘Redondo Iglesias’, ‘Sanchéz Romero’, ‘Cinco Jotas’ or ‘Fermín’. Your tapas selection should include: ‘Jamón Serrano’, ‘Lomo Embuchado’ and ‘Chorizo Cantimpalo’.

 

When it comes to cheeses you can’t go wrong with a 3-6 month aged ‘Manchego’ or an ‘Idiazabal’ or a ‘Cabrales’. Additionally make sure you accompany everything with some good warm bread, olives in ‘aliño’, ‘Marcona’ almonds and ‘Piquillo’ peppers.

 

‘Matarromera Crianza 2007′ Good Wine from a Young Winery!!!

This wine from the region of ‘Ribera del Duero’ is made 100% with tempranillo grapes by the Grupo Matarromera winery. A young winery established in 1988 by Carlos Moro and his family. This wine is aged for twelve months in French and American oak barrels before being bottled and making it to the market.

The color is deep cherry with purple glints. Fresh and sweet notes on the nose. Excellent harmony: strawberry, blackberry and figs; some hints of milky aromas; the ageing results in a clean and new wood with toast, coffee, vanilla, leather and cocoa aromas. On the palate, powerful, extraordinary backbone and elegant. Sweet polished tannins perfectly balanced with spicy and fruity flavours. Smooth and lingering finish.This wine pairs nicely with meats. On a scale from 0-10 we give this wine an 8.7 Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $28-37 Overall is a good everyday wine with some elegance and sophistication.

A Winebota is the Perfect Ski Companion!!!

Whether you are skiing down the slopes of St. Moritz, Andorra, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Vail, Aspen or just around your hometown a winebota is the perfect ski companion. A winebota is less cumbersome and lighter than a flask and the best part of it is that you can carry up to a whole liter (1000 ml) of wine or your favorite liquor to keep you warm during those beautiful skiing trips.

Our winebotas are durable and very easy to carry over the shoulder with its nylon cords or leather straps.

‘R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia-Viña Gravonia 2001′ A White Rioja With Lots of History

This winery from Rioja dates back to 1877 when its founder ‘Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta’ started the vineyard and the construction of their facility. With almost 135 years in the wine making industry today ‘R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia’ wines are some of the most refined and renowned around the world. ‘Viña Tondonia’ is a beautiful vineyard of over 100 hectares, situated on the right banks of the Ebro river, where some of the best Rioja wines are grown. Apart from ‘Tondonia’, ‘R. López de Heredia’ owns three more vineyards also set in the Rioja Alta region. These are the “Viña Cubillo”, “Viña Bosconia” and “Viña Zaconia”.

This wine is 100% made with estate grown Viura grapes and in limited quantities of 29,000 bottles per vintage. The color is pale gold with fresh and sweet notes on the nose. Complex and developed with a fruity light sweet taste. Most remarkable notes: plum and raspberries. This wine pairs nicely with seafood, risotto and salads. On a scale from 0-10 we give this wine an 8.8. Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $19-23 and fairly easy to find at reputable wine stores in major cities of the U.S.

‘Hacienda Monasterio’ 2007 Another Great Ribera del Duero!

‘Hacienda Monasterio’ is a wine produced by ‘Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio’ in Spain’s wine region of ‘Ribera del Duero’. Set in an estate of 160 hectares, of which 78 are planted with vineyards. It is located between Pesquera and Valbuena de Duero, two Duero valley towns famous for the quality of their wines including world acclaimed ‘Vega Sicilia’ (located not far from ‘Hacienda Monasterio’). Since 1990, famous winemaker Peter Sisseck directs ‘Bodega Hacienda Monasterio’, the main reason why he relocated from Denmark to Spain.

The current wine cellar was built betwen 1991 and 1992 and designed by the french architect Philippe Maziéres, who had previously worked for prestigious wine cellars such as Château Margaux and Château d’Yquem Prieure-Léchiné.

‘Hacienda Monasterio’ harvests grapes by hand and gathers them in plastic boxes in order to avoid damaging the grape. Once at the cellar and before the stripping, a first grape selection is carried out and all the grapes that do not meet their quality parameters are rejected. Grapes are not crushed. Fermentation is done only with natural yeasts. Its temperature depends on the harvest quality but usually it ranges between 28 and 32 degrees centigrade. After fermentation, the wine remains in contact with its solid parts for 2 or 3 weeks to get the perfect extraction of tannins. Malolactic fermentation is made in 100% French oak (Allier) barrels, with quarterly racking of each barrel (method: barrel to barrel). This method allows a very precise separation of the wine with its lees. After a period of 12 months ageing in French oak barrel, the wine is still clarified with fresh eggwhites to get a better stabilization of colour. Generally, the wine is bottled after 18 months of ageing in oak barrels, but the ageing time is adapted to the specific conditions of each vintage. Regardless, the entire range of ‘Hacienda Monasterio’ wines have a minimum of 12 months ageing in the bottle before reaching the market.

‘Hacienda Monasterio’ is full in taste and body. This wine has a beautiful deep purple color and the aroma of wild berries. This is a wine with complexity and a great wine for special occasions. Most remarkable notes: blackberry and tobacco. This wine pairs very nicely with seafood and mixed ‘paella’. Our Rating from 0-10= 9.1 Retail Price Range in the U.S.: $48-$55 and fairly easy to find at reputable wine stores in major cities of the U.S.

The Best Rioja Wine Under $20.00

If you want to enjoy a delicious ‘Rioja’ and spend less than $20 dollars we recommend Campo Viejo Gran Reserva by Bodegas Campo Viejo.

This wine has a beautiful maroon cherry red color and the aroma of jam and wood with some spicy undertones. This is a wine with character, a great wine for every day drinking. This wine pairs very nicely with stews, cured cheese and figs. Our Rating from 0-10= 8.8