You’ve probably heard of the wine regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rias Baixas, but you may not have heard of Montilla-Moriles. The region is located about 25 miles south of the Spanish city of Córdoba and features wines made with Pedro Ximenez grapes. The region is defined by its long, dry summers and limestone soil that can be blindingly white.
We visited Bodegas El Monte where got a tour of the vineyards and the aging room followed by a tasting lead by the winemaker. His passion for his wines is well deserved. We brought three bottles home!
After the wine tasting, Adrian put out a wonderful array of tapas that included shredded meat sliders, Spanish tortilla, tomato salad, mushroom carpaccio and, my favorite, canapés of anchovy and roasted red peppers. Each was paired with a recommended wine from the tasting.
Back in Madrid, Mara arranged a private rooftop terrace overlooking the Mezquita for a wine pairing meal hosted by her and Adrian. What a lovely spot with great food to finish our Sunday Wine Day.
Here is our menu
Mezquita Terrace Menu
Cordoban Bloody Mary (gazpacho with amontillado, red prawn juice, and celery)
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Creamy Iberian Ham croquette from the Pedroches valley and
Glazed grilled Razor clams harmonized with
15-year-old Lagar de Los Frailes Fino (Moriles)
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Asian Texan taco (with Pedroches valley ribs, Japanese-Texan BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and lime) and
Beef skirt steak with Coke chimichurri and charcoal potatoes
paired with Oxidative aging Oloroso from Lagar Blanco Winery (Sierra de Montilla)
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Brownie with white chocolate mint ganache with BBQ corn nuts
Slightly smoked crepe with brandy orange pairing with18-month Organic Sparkling Wine from Robles Winery
