I watched with the world today (well, at least ALL of Spain) as the final seconds of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final game ticked away and Spain emerged victorious over Germany with a score of 1-0. A momentous feat it was; and one reminiscent of the 2008 Euro Cup finals when they beat the same team (Germany) by the same margin (1-0) nearly two years to the day. Our boys from Spain looked absolutely fantastic! The best team truly won (but I am a bit biased). So, what next? The finals, of course. But what about between today’s win and Sunday’s game? Well, I opted for a celebration of gastronomic proportions.
After the celebration was over here in the U.S. (I’m sure it will continue for hours all over Spain), I wondered what I could prepare tonight that would honor our men in red and yellow. Tonight’s dinner celebration would be as diverse as our team – it would encompass the whole of Spain – one Spain. Following is the commemorative meal:
- Tortilla with green peppers and chorizo representing Central Spain (you can add just about anything to a traditional Tortilla Española, but you cannot officially call it Tortilla Española);
- Two cheeses: Garrotxa from Cataluña (Northeastern Spain) and Mahon from the island of Menorca (Balearic Islands off the coast of Northeastern Spain);
- Padrón peppers from Galicia (Northwestern Spain);
- Pinchos Morunos (beef) from Andalucia (Southern Spain)
And to drink? I opted for an incredible wine from the Toro D.O. – 2006 Numanthia “Termes”. Incidentally, this is my Wine of the Week as well. What an incredibly beautiful wine! The Toro region is situated in the province of Zamora and Valladolid and consists of about 50 bodegas which produce in excess of 11 million litres of wine annually. The 2006 Termes (which received 93 points from Wine Spectator) was a perfect match to tonight’s dinner of tapas from around the country. It is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and a spicy and slightly oaky wine with hints of cherry, licorice, and roasted coffee. This is a chewy, richly-tannic, medium-bodied wine with an incredibly tasty finish. It will drink well for about ten years, but I chose to decant for about an hour and it was incredible now. I would highly recommend seeking this wine out as the Numanthia wines have gained “cult” status and normally sell out. At around $25 a bottle this wine is a steal.
Sunday’s game prediction? Spain 2, Netherlands 0. Sunday’s meal prediction? You’ll have to come back to find out.
Life is short. Drink Spanish wine!
