The Food and Wines of Spain
The Food and Wines of Spain
From Galician seafood and Valencian rice to La Rioja wine and award-winning Aragonese truffles, it’s fair to say that Spanish food and drink is all about celebrating what’s on the doorstep. In our culinary journey around Spain, we dig into the places, produce and people which contribute to such a vibrant gastronomic scene. Though most of us will be familiar with its tapas, olives and paella, there is much more to discover, including renowned vineyards, many of which are reviving long-lost traditions to produce award-winning wines, world-class seafood and fruit and vegetables in abundance. We only need to look at the amount of Spanish ingredients, from cheese to sherry, with protected designation of origin status to understand that they are among the finest in the world. Andalusia, for example, is home to a rich natural larder which includes no fewer than thirteen different protected areas producing extra virgin olive oil, as well as strawberries, tomatoes and avocados.
We immerse ourselves in Spain’s thriving cities, from famed food havens including San Sebastián to the likes of Málaga, where the food and drink scene has blossomed over the last two decades. Chefs there and around the country are blending tradition with innovation, including Dani Carnero, who has worked in some of Spain’s top kitchens, Quique Dacosta, who is known for revolutionising Valencia’s dining scene, and Elena Arzak, who artfully balances tradition and modernity. Read on to recreate their masterful recipes and learn more about the excellent food and wine of Spain.
Regions of Spain
Galicia
Lush, green Galicia, in the north-west of Spain, boasts the country’s longest coastline and is home to some of the finest seafood in the world, as well as the elegant white wines of Rías Baixas, which are made from the Albariño grape. Learn more about this region’s unique culinary traditions.
Cantabria and the Basque Country
The north-east of Spain is famed for having some of the best food in the country, with the Basque Country renowned for its world-class restaurants. San Sebastián is home to more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any other city in the world, including the likes of Arzak, headed up by Elena Arzak. Discover more about a fantastic region and try some of Elena’s incredible recipes.
La Rioja and Navarra
Though the northern regions of Rioja and Navarra are two of Spain’s smallest, they punch above their weight when it comes to culture and produce – most notably La Rioja’s remarkable wine and the beloved piquillo peppers of Lodosa, a small town in Navarra. We find out more about the produce, wine and restaurants of these two stunning areas.
Valencia and Murcia
Though Valencia and Murcia, which form the majority of Spain’s eastern Levante region, are celebrated for their seafood, it is rice which is at the heart of their cuisine, particularly in Valencia, where it is used in its world-famous paella. Read on to learn more, including how chef Quique Dacosta is proving that the region’s produce can be elevated to the highest level.
Catalonia and Aragon
With its Mediterranean coastline, Catalonia boasts amazing seafood, thriving olive groves and vineyards, while inland Aragon is world-famous for its black truffle and prized Campo de Borja D.O. garnacha wines. Dive into everything these two beautiful regions have to offer.
Andalusia
Packed with fantastic seafood, world-renowned olive oil, excellent produce and Iberian pigs, Andalusia is a food-lover’s paradise. Get to know the region, including Málaga’s flourishing food scene, and test yourself with recipes from one of its top chefs, Dani Carnero.
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