An Introduction to Spanish Wines

A guest post by Bruno Cumar, Maddalena Vineyard

A Spanish vineyard

The wine industry in Spain is as old and established as that of France. Despite this similarity, the wines produced by these two countries are vastly different. Spain produces a large amount of red wine, sparkling wines, and Sherry, now widely popular because of their high alcohol content compared with other wines. The wines of Spain started with lengthy dormancy and underachievement but today, Spanish wines are considered one of the leading producers of great wines in the world, and have become very popular in the U.S.A.

There are more than 50 recognized wine regions and hundreds of native grape varieties. 
Interpreting Labels
At first, trying to make sense of a Spanish wine label may seem to be a daunting task; but it's not really that difficult. Here are the basic terminologies. 
1. Vino de mesa: table wine without a geographic denomination
2. Vino joven: young wine, usually from a qualified DO region, sometimes with a bit of aging
3. Roble: "roble" means oak, some regions allow this term on the label for lightly oaked wines that don't reach "crianza" standards
4. Crianza: aged 2 years, at least 6 months in oak
5. Reserva: quality wine, normally aged at least 3 years, at least 1 year in oak casks, 2 years in the bottle, made from top vintages
6. Gran Reserva: quality wine, aged at least 2 years in oak plus 3 years in the bottle, made from exceptional vintages.

Cava sparkling wine

Some of the most well-known regions and their wines are:


• D.O. Catalonia: Even though this region does not share the same world recognition as Rioja, it is where most Spanish wines are produced. Recently, more standard wines like Merlot and Cabernet are made in Catalonia, yet this region also has its own traditional wines. Catalonia also specializes in the production of Cavas, or sparkling wines, made with Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, and more. This sparkling wine presents a good alternative to French champagne and is very high quality. Some other known red grapes for still wines are: Granacha, Cariñena, and Monastrell. 


D.O. Ribera de Duero: Contributing to the quality of grapes in Ribera del Duero is the region’s altitude. Vineyards may be planted at heights of up to 2,800 feet, although most are at 2,400 – 2,600 feet, on either side of the Duero, where in high summer daytime temperatures may reach 100-104 degrees F.
*Reds: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Albillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot

Spain's red wines are justly famous

D.O. Rioja Calificada: This is one of the best-known wine regions of Spain. When the Phylloxera epidemic struck France many of its wine makers moved to northern Spain in order to continue their trade. The French taught the local Spaniards how to make wine from their local red Tempranillo grape. The result was a series of red wines that are very flavorful and strong. Enjoyed globally today, many of the Rioja reds are aged for ten years in large wooden barrels. This process gives these wines a distinct woody taste that many people find appealing.
Reds: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo
Whites: Viura, Malvasía Riojana, and Garnacha Blanca


To save you the time and cost of storage, they're not released until ready to drink. In fact, some of the new releases are already seven years old. Often considered the best food wines on earth, there are more than a thousand Rioja wines with choices for every style, occasion, and price point.


D.O. Rueda: Rueda is one of the best white wine producing areas, famous for its Verdejo grapes. Translated, it means "greenish," or that might be derived from verdugo, meaning "green shot," Since harvest, the grapes and subsequently the fermenting juice are kept under constant inert gas (nitrogen) to prevent oxidation until bottled.
Whites: Verdejo, Palomino, Viura, and Sauvignon Blanc


D.O.Utiel-Requena: Location: Province of Valencia - interior foothills
Whites: Chardonnay, Macabeo, Merseguera, and Planta Nova (Tardana)
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Bobal, Cencíbel (Tempranillo), and Garnacha

Authentic sherry is from Jerez

D.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry y Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda:
Wines from Jerez-Xéres-Sherry are in a class all their own. Located in the Southwest Atlantic coast, just above Gibraltar, the special sherry taste is due to the unique production methods. The Palomino grape is the main ingredient of the best Sherries. The wines are aged in casks, where a special yeast growth known as "flor" prevents oxidation, while adding that special taste. When the time comes to end the maturing process, the flor is killed off by fortification (the addition of alcohol) and the wine is moved to the "solera," a vertical row of oak casks, designed to gradually mix old wine with new to achieve a consistent final product, year after year. 


Typical wines:
* Manzanilla - very dry sherry
* Fino - dry sherry
* Amontillado - premium aged sherry
* Oloroso - aged sherry
* Palo Cortado - aged sherry (very little is produced)
* Pedro Ximénez - sweet sherry
* Cream - very sweet sherry


Bruno Cumar is the Southern Division Manager for Maddalena Vineyard, a Los Angeles producer and distributor of fine wines from all over the world. Having worked for the company for almost 18 years, he also teaches wine appreciation classes at MiraCosta College.

A Romantic Foreign Affair… Valentine’s Day Weekend 2011

Treat your sweetheart to a romantic dinner in Spain, with a special menu and passionate Flamenco or Tango Show, or even a Valentine's brunch at our locations in Long Beach or Riverside! Chose from a variety of Valentine's options, all weekend and on Monday.

For details of the schedule of shows and special Valentine's Day dinner options, please visit the website's Special Events page for your selected location.

Take a look at our special Valentine's Day menu:

Appetizer

Duet of Portobello Mushroom Ravioli & Sea Scallops, Romesco almond sauce, and verjus chive emulsion

Salad

Mediterranean Salad with poached black mission fig, goat cheese canapé, and Sherry tapenade vinaigrette

Entrée Choices:

Cupid's Duet

Beef tenderloin with port reduction truffle sauce and jumbo shrimp with blood orange saffron beurre blanc  

OR

Paella San Valentin: Our house specialty- saffron rice casserole with mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops, roasted chicken and chorizo sausage topped with a broiled cold-water lobster tail

Dessert

Heart-Shaped Cupidón Cake for Two (strawberry mousse and chocolate ganache)

Make a reservation now by calling 951-778-0611 (Riverside) or 562-495-1111 (Long Beach).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Join us for Thanksgiving!

One of our favorite days of the year is Thanksgiving, a day to be truly thankful for everything we have and share time with our loved ones and friends.

Save yourself the work and join us for a four-course Thanksgiving Feast. We start with Pumpkin Cream Soup and  Manchego crouton, followed by an Autumn Market Salad with Cabrales blue cheese dressing. For your entree you have a choice of Roasted Ranch Turkey Breast with traditional stuffing and cranberry sauce, Bone-in Hand-Carved Black Forest Ham baked with a quince glaze, or Roasted Leg of Lamb with honey port wine sauce. You'll have to save some room for dessert: a delectable Pumpkin and White Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake with caramel mocha sauce.

For all this you'll pay just $27.95 per person, plus tax and tip. Kids 11 and under can enjoy a modified children's menu for just $12.95 -- that's for any entrée and an ice cream dessert. It's not too late to make reservations so please call 951-778-0611 in Riverside or 562-495-1111 in Long Beach.

From us to you, a very happy Thanksgiving!

It's Time to Book Your Holiday Parties!

Check out this special offer: Book your holiday party at Sevilla now and receive a $150 gift card!

World Cup Fever

Futbol fever has struck Cafe Sevilla! We're going crazy over here rooting for Spain's team to go all the way and win the World Cup for the first time! 


Join us in Riverside and Long Beach on Sunday to watch the final match vs. Netherlands. The doors open at 11am, with a $18.50 brunch special, $4 margaritas, mojitos and Bloody Marys, and $7 martinis. In San Diego, we'll open the doors at 9am, tapas bar only with the match on plasma TVs and a projector. Select Spanish drinks like sangria, calimochos, and garabatos will be half off and we'll be serving paella at halftime.


Join us and cheer for La Furio Roja! ¡Vamos España!

Affordable Lobster

Mike Alvarado from Sevilla of Riverside writes:

I know what you’re thinking: “Affordable Lobster? Mike, that’s an oxymoron, it’s up there with Jumbo Shrimp or Non-Alcoholic Beer!”

OK, I’ll fully admit it’s contrary to what you know about good lobster. But you know, here at Sevilla, we’ve always done things a little bit differently. Just ask any of our regular customers: they come here because there is something different about us, even though they may not be able to put their finger on it. I believe what makes us different is a collection of many things, beginning with our amazing staff and incredible menu. Affordable lobster is just another one of those things that sets Sevilla apart.

I’m writing this to spread the word that Sevilla is the place to grab an affordable and tasty lobster dish. A couple of nights ago, I remember the looks on the faces of a few customers coming to Sevilla for the first time. I was describing our newest special, the Lobster Tapa. I described how we prepare the lobster with fresh shrimp sautéed with fresh vegetables, topped with the coup de grace: melted Manchego cheese imported from Spain. I told them the half-lobster is a great appetizer, a perfect start to any meal at Sevilla. As I described it, they turned away, and I could see they expected to hear me quote a high price.

Then I hit them with this: at Sevilla, the price for our Lobster Tapa is a mere $13 for a half lobster. Suddenly their eyes lit up and they were thinking, “How long has it been since I’ve had some good lobster?” “He’d better bring a bucket of butter, because that’s what I’m gonna use on this baby.”

This, my friends, is why I LOVE MY JOB. Good food does not always come at a high price. It is my constant pleasure to recommend food from our amazing menu, accompanied with a perfectly paired wine and a sinful dessert. The experience becomes something more than a simple meal, it’s a journey. I’m less of a waiter and more of a tour guide, showing people exactly where they need to go. When they end this journey with a smile, I know I’ve done my job well.

As for the first-time customers I was talking about earlier, at the end of the meal, they thanked me for recommending the Lobster Tapa and said how much they enjoyed it. One gentleman said he could not remember the last time he had good lobster before this, to which I responded “Sir, let’s hope that never happens again; you’re welcome to come back anytime and have some more.” The gentleman assured me that he would be back – another satisfied customer.

I now invite you all to come by Sevilla for a unique dining journey. We’re more than happy to be your guide on this unique culinary journey, and what better way to start than with our amazing Lobster Tapa! Reserve your table today on Open Table and tell them Mike sent ya!

Bonus offer: Show your server on your mobile device that you follow Sevilla on Twitter and get a free Tapita to go along with your Lobster!

Easter Brunch in Spain

Happy Holy Week! As in all countries with a large Catholic population, Easter is a major celebration in Spain, a manifestation of ancient rituals. Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa, is filled with Easter traditions and rituals marked by regional flavors across the length and breadth of Spain. 

At Café Sevilla we’re eager to celebrate Easter with you in our own way, so join us for our lavish Easter Champagne Brunch at our Riverside and Long Beach locations, complete with live Flamenco guitarists to set the mood. Check our Facebook pages for details, and call the location nearest you for reservations today!