Flavor of Spain

Back to the world!

While it may be true that we’re seeing less and less of Mario on Food Network these days (and I don’t mean that he’s losing weight), we may be getting more of him on broadcast television. OK…public television, but still…

According to Contactmusic.com, Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow will be teaming up with Batali for a new program about the sights, sounds and tastes of Spain.

The actress will return to Spain, where she spent magical summers growing up, to hail the country’s cuisine with pal Batali joining her for the “road trip”, which will be filmed in October and November (07) for U.S. cable network PBS.

Although best known for his Italian cooking, Mario Batali has a couple of ties to Spain. For starters, he lived there during his high school years. He also studied Spanish theater at Rutgers (Really? They have that? Why did I waste my time on communication?). And, last but not least, two of his NYC restaurants, Bar Jamon and Casa Mono, actually feature Spanish cuisine. So his expertise is legit.

And the Gwyneth part? We know that Mario likes to run in celebrity circles, for better or worse.

Source: tvfoodfan.blogspot

Other spectacular find for red wine bargain hunters, you can’t miss this one. From Jumilla appellation (Jumilla DO denominacion de origen) this 2004 Juan Gil from the wine producer Bodegas Juan Gil is a great value. It is a wine with rich violet colour, abundant ripe fruit flavours, and a spicy, well-balanced finish. Better drink with roast and game, hamburgers, red grilled and barbecued meat, etc.

100% Monastrell from 45 year old vines. Deep violet. Aromas of blackcurrant, black tea, black berry, smoke. Very chewy and rich with good framing tannins and minerality. A serious effort, the 2004 Juan Gil is fashioned from 45-year-old Mourvedre vines and is aged for 12 months in American and French oak. This rich, full-bodied, inky/purple-tinged cuvee exhibits aromas of scorched earth, blueberries, licorice, and pepper, a savory, layered texture, and remarkable opulence for a Mourvedre. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. The Wine Advocate WA.91.

FOS Punctuation: 89
Average price as of today: $14

I´d love to hear from you, if you had the chance to drink this wine let me know in the comments.

Salud!