Bodega On The Road In San Francisco: Spanish Wine Cellar & Pantry Trade Show

It has been a couple of months since I gallivanted to a major U.S. city in order to partake of some of Spain’s best wares – most of which are not available here in the states. Fortunately, this time around I only had to hop a plane and head up the California coast to San Francisco. This time the event was the Spanish Wine Cellar & Pantry Trade Show. After a stop earlier this week in New York City the show traveled west to San Francisco. This year’s event (held at The Bentley Reserve on Thursday, April 22) featured more than 60 food and wine companies – many of which are currently seeking importers to introduce new and exciting Spanish products to the U.S. market.

I found this event particularly interesting in that it was an opportunity to try some very interesting Spanish food products (many that are currently unavailable in the U.S.) in addition to some excellent Spanish wines. Upon entering The Bentley Reserve hall I was again impressed with the breadth of food and wine that lay before me (thanks to the attentiveness of Gregory White PR). Armed with a wine glass, a catalog of presenters, and an intense interest in the adventure that lay before me I set out to conquer the unknown food and wines of Spain.

The task before me was another daunting one: to try as much Spanish food and wine as possible before falling flat on my face and attempting to hail a taxi cab back to my hotel. Having learned a very valuable lesson in New York City at the Drink Ribera event – take your time and try only the most interesting or intriguing wines. To attempt anything otherwise is wine tasting suicide. So my approach was to study each table’s wines and try the most unusual (or sometimes expensive) that they had to offer. OK, I’m thinking that you really don’t care about my approach. Rather, you want to know about what I encountered. Point taken. So, I’ll give you my thoughts on the best wine and food products tasted throughout the afternoon.

Best Wine:

Of the 46 wines I tried – all of which have their own unique and wonderful characteristics – the following were my stand-outs (in no particular order):

1. 2005 Targum (DO Ribera del Duero) – a wonderfully expressive and well-balanced wine;
2. 1999 Estola Gran Reserva (DO La Mancha) – excellent quality and value;
3. 2009 Punctum Rosado (Vino de la Tierra Castilla) – fresh, organic wine
4. 2002 Pieros (DO Bierzo) – this was one of my favorites
5. 2008 Hacienda del Carche White and 2009 Hacienda del Carche Rosado (DO Jumilla) – great value wines
6. 2008 Casa de la Dehesa Moscatel – a refreshing and expressive wine
7. 2009 Montespejo White and 2008 Montespejo Roble (DO Sierras de Malaga) – two more of my favorites from a value and taste perspective
8. 2007 Cup (DO Valencia) – LOVED this wine (and a tremendous value as well)
9. NV Pere Ventura Cupatge d’Honor (DO Cava) – one of my favorite Cavas to date!
10. 2008 Tenoira (DO Bierzo) – an incredible expression of the Mencia grape

Best Food Products:

I must admit that this was one of my favorite parts of the tasting event. Rarely does one get to experience foods in US that are unavailable for purchase here. It certainly was a treat. Instead of filling up on foodstuffs available locally or through mail order I opted for the unavailable, unusual, and sometimes strangely intriguing items. There was cheese (mostly Manchego). There was jamón. I wanted something different; and that I found. Five extremely unique items caught my attention. First, I was intrigued by a “Monastrell Red Wine Jam” produced by Bodegas Hacienda del Carche (which sells wine as well). This is the first wine jam produced in Spain and it was absolutely incredible! Second, I ventured into “Sweet Tooth” land. Oh, my God! Bombons Cudié produces amazing chocolate (powder) covered almonds. My buddy, Josep, was nice enough to give me some samples to try later. As a matter of fact, I am finishing them off right now. Absolutely fantastic and the best I have ever eaten! I really hope they find an importer. You have got to try these. Get the picture?

Next, I moved on to some incredible olive oil from Cal Saboi. Again, this was extremely tasty extra virgin olive oil and worth seeking out. They make two: Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cal Saboi (my favorite – with a bit of peppery spice). My next discovery was one of my favorites – canned navajas (razor clams) from Conserva Gallega in Galicia. Awesome! Spain (and especially Galicia) is known for canning prowess and this certainly helps prove that fact. My first taste of razor clams was in Barcelona last September. These navajas brought back some tremendous memories. My only hope is that we will be able to get these here in the next few months. Finally, I scored some incredible Basque specialties from Lurlan Baserritar Elkartea – Azkorria cheese, Basque honey, Txakoli vinegar (crazy good!) and Espelette pepper (a uniquely Basque pepper which is dried and incredibly tasty on any number of dishes).

If you are Spanish food and/or wine importer then you must contact these bodegas and food companies. I promise you that you will not regret it (and neither will your customers). If you are a Spanish food and wine connoisseur like me then hold tight; the best is yet to come!

Life is short. Drink Spanish wine (and eat Spanish food)!

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