Category: Gifts

Winery – Bodegas Tradicion in Jerez

Bodegas Tradicion

Although Bodegas Tradicion is a fairly new winery it is the successor of the oldest one in the Jerez wine producing area.

The original winery was Bodega CZ, J.M. Rivero which  dated back to 1650 and was the supplier of the Royal Houses of Spain and Portugal winning many different international rewards.

Art Gallery Bodega Tradicion

Opening in the late 1990s by a descendant of the oldest sherry house the bodegas are open for viewing as well as wine and brandy tastings while viewing the considerable private art collection. It is reported to be one of the best  collections of Spanish paintings  in Andalusia and contains over 300 paintings, some of the works are by Grand Masters Goya and Velazquez  amongst many others 15th – 20th century  artists.

 

There are two types of unique and limited production Tradicion Brandies and six fabulous wines:

Fino
Palo Cortado VORS
Amontillado
Oloroso VORS
Cream VOS
Pedro Ximenez VOS

A trip to this winery will have you taking away a great choice of fine wines and brandy – if there’s any remaining.

For more information or to book visits go to the Bodega Tradicion website.

Barcelona Food Market – La Boqueria

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Barcelona has around forty food markets  but the most famous, probably because of its location is La Boqueria or Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria. It’s a thriving hub of shoppers and eaters and if you are going there to eat you’ll be lucky to find a bar stool at any of the eateries and there are many. Don’t you just love those light fittings?

La Boqueria market, Barcelona

The choice of stalls from Seafood Restaurants to Tapas take-outs is fun and makes for a difficult decision. If you’re going there to buy fresh food or cooked food for a takeaway picnic you’ll while away plenty of time oohing and ahhing over the incredible array on offer.

La Boqueria market, Barcelona

I found everything so enticing and even though it was too early to eat I came away with several tasty morsels such as  bite-sized chunks of fresh pineapple and my favourite snack – again mouth-sized coconut pieces.

La Boqueria market, Barcelona

La Boqueria has a long history with locals selling meat by the city gate in the 1200s, it was opened offcially as a market in 1840 and has since undergone many alterations to became the amusing, interesting and tasty place it is today. From dried spice stalls to sweet counters, meat, dairy, fresh vegetables the 200+ colourful and attractively arranged stalls  make it a great place to visit if only to look.

La Boqueria market, Barcelona

Just off La Rambla La Boqueria is quite mesmerizing, hold onto your wallet or handbag and enjoy the throng of people the shouts of the vendors and the atmosphere. It’s one of those great places to visit but do try to eat there if you can, the atmosphere is just amazing.

Have you been to Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria in Barcelona? Would you like to go? Share your experience or tell us why you’d like to go in the comment box below.

Jaen’s Best Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Jaen Selection 2016 prize-winning extra virgin olive oils from Elaia Zait come with a fine price and story.
_mg_00025-copiaRealising that extra virgin olive oils (evoo)  weren’t being presented as a gastronomy/gourmet produce Elaia Zait set out with this challenge to produce that very product.

The gift presentation box Premium 2016 features the Jaen Selection, prize-winning oils, and paying tribute to the local painter Quesada Rafael Zabaleta and one of his best works “Formas en tierras de Secano” which can be seen in the painter’s museum in Jaen._mg_00033-copia
Deconstructing the painting into two parts gave rise to the two parts of the presentation pack which is made from olive wood and contains not only eight of the best evoos but a limited edition numbered lithograph of the original painting.

The presentation packaging places the bottles upright  like an olive tree and for this reason the inside also is made of gorgeously-grained olive oil. Only 100 of this series has been produced._mg_00018-copiaProduced totally in Jaen province using various providers it has been a careful and detailed project from the fine oil produced to the laser engraving and special varnishes used.

For more information and/or puchase contact Elaia Zait