- This year, we’re going for practical (and delicious): cured meats, meats, wine, because they’re classics that never fail. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or you’re the ideal host, at this Christmas bazaar you’ll find the best Iberian products, select meats and everything you need for a top-notch menu at the Solobuey online shop.
- When it comes to toasting, you can’t go wrong with a Ribera del Duero from Pradorey, and their wine tourism experiences are a real treat. To accompany certain dishes and give them a little “spark”, try Juana Madrid’s irresistible bravas sauces. EVOO lovers will adore the comprehensive EVOOLEUM Guide, especially if it comes with one of the top 10 oils. And you can’t go wrong with discovering Burgos through the cuisine of Ricardo Temiño Restaurant and its Camino menu.
- Because Christmas also tastes sweet, don’t miss out on La Baguette’s Viennese ring cake, worthy of kings. Take the opportunity to order it along with their exquisite sourdough breads, the perfect pairing for a festive table.
Don't forget the wine!
Pradorey, are we giving wine or an experience?
CL – 619 road, km 66.1 Gumiel de Mercado. Burgos
Pradorey is daring, passionate, intuitive and free to shape its vision of Ribera del Duero, a vision that can be savoured through different wines, each with something to say and its own “personality”, offering options for countless tastes, so one of them is sure to be the perfect gift. Here are some hints about their most “Christmassy” wines, on sale at https://pradorey.es/en/shop-online-4/
Élite, a wine with feminine character
A strong, bold and authentic wine that celebrates the essence of those who transform the world through their own stories. There are people who, without making a fuss, make everything work. They support, they create, they move forward. Pradorey Élite was created as a tribute to that silent force that keeps this country going: perseverance, patience and a job well done. A force that does not seek to shine, but leaves its mark… It is the perfect toast for this time of year. A 100% Tempranillo Tinta Fina Elite clone, round, flavourful and mature, it accompanies meals – octopus, lentils, migas, chocolate – and can also be enjoyed after dinner. What’s more, the presentation is also enchanting, as the elegant bottle is wrapped in a paper veil “tattooed” with its own vines and comes in a beautiful wooden box. It can also be purchased in boxes of 4 or 6, and each format includes an inspiring message.
RRP: from €37.90
Gama Salgüero, the range that surprises
Varietals and time, that is the secret of this trio of aces made up of the house’s first Albillo Mayor, produced as an orange wine; a spectacular and complex rosé made from Merlot, Tempranillo and Albillo; and an organically grown red wine made from the most representative grape of the Ribera del Duero region and aged in clay jars. Three limited edition collector’s items that capture the essence of the DO, focusing on time and the grape. They captivate from the first sip and will be greatly enjoyed by the most discerning palates.
RRP: gift box with three bottles of Salgüero £135
Adaro, un homenaje al fundador, ese vino que siempre gusta
Es el vino de la familia, el homenaje al fundador de la bodega -Javier Cremades de Adaro-, una joya de vendimia manual, monovarietal de tempranillo, ecológico, que pasa 15 meses en barrica de roble europeas. Elegante, sabroso y fresco, siempre gusta y es perfecto para acompañar asados, caza y carnes rojas.
PVP: 22 €
El elegante La Mina, el que nunca falla y además estrena imagen
Como todas sus referencias, está elaborado con uva propia, de un único y exclusivo pago homónimo caracterizado por su terreno franco-arenoso situado entre 800 y 820 metros sobre el nivel mar que le da un carácter intenso, enérgico, recio… Gracias a este terruño tiene un alto nivel de prociadinina, o lo que es lo mismo, un conjunto de polifenoles que diferentes estudios señalan como un compuesto con múltiples beneficios, necesarios para la respuesta metabólica. Es un reserva rompedor, 100% tempranillo, de un rojo brillante, complejo, con bouquet y con una larga vida.
PVP: 24 €; y el formato magnum se vende en un estuche con dos copas, ideal para regalar, 49 €
El Cuentista, el vino más ‘mentiroso’ de la casa
Es el primer blanc de noirs elaborado en la Ribera del Duero. Es un vino diferente, con personalidad, transgresor y con un punto de locura que lo hace destacar entre el resto. Llama la atención desde su etiqueta hasta su paso por boca y no deja indiferente a nadie. ¿Es blanco pero sabe a tinto? Sorprende y no defrauda. Sin duda cuenta lo que transmite su imagen. ¿La única pega? Solo hay 7.400 botellas.
PVP: 18’20 €
Una joya de colección elaborada en tinajas, el regalo más exclusivo, El Buen Alfarero
Un buen alfarero es un artesano, alguien que con sus manos va moldeando el barro para hacer piezas únicas, distintas entre sí, y en cada una de ellas va dejando su huella y un pedazo de su alma. Así es este vino, puro y único. Por eso no solo su elaboración es artesanal 100%, si no que cada botella ‘se viste’ manualmente y el resultado son piezas imperfectas pero maravillosas. Un privilegio que pueden disfrutar unos pocos, ya que solo hay 1.904 botellas que se venden en estuche individual de madera numerado a mano. Más allá del continente, el contenido es elegante, sabroso, mineral y muy fresco. Combina la fruta roja con la negra; su paso por boca es muy agradable, con taninos redondos y aterciopelados con un final elegante, sutil y con alma. Todo un regalazo para quienes aprecien la calidad.
PVP: 132 €
If, instead of giving bottles as gifts, we want to give the gift of a visit and drink them on site, the plan is the Pradorey Experience, an experience to disconnect from routine and enjoy the countryside and the world of wine. They offer four experiences, which can be purchased at https://pradorey.es/en/experiencias/, and you will receive the gift voucher directly.
- Wine tourism experience: tour the winery and the carefully crafted Pradorey project, discovering why its wines smell of earth, clay, fruit, spices, wild flowers, thyme… through a guided tasting of three wines. Price: €72/2 people.
- Food and wine experience: in addition to the tour of the winery and tasting of three wines, you will enjoy a lunch in its 17th-century inn, focusing on local and seasonal produce. Price: €150/2 people.
- Complete experience: accommodation in a historic location where figures such as Rubens, Philip III and the Duke of Lerma once stayed. You will visit the different rooms of the winery and learn about the Pradorey project and its unique features through a tasting of three of its wines. The plan culminates in the inn, where you will savour its gastronomic offerings through a five-course tasting menu. Night, breakfast and welcome wine included. Price: €261/2 people.
- Pradorey’s great plan: a full weekend surrounded by nature, including a visit to the winery, a visit to El Cotarro (there are other options to choose from), gastronomy (two breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners) and two nights at the inn. It is designed for you to disconnect and enjoy yourself. I’ll take it! Price: €520/2 people.
- Another option is to give a wine tasting course, the perfect combination of learning and enjoyment, in which 5 wines are tasted. RRP: €55
A cheerful touch to dishes
In 1963, in the legendary Bar Anci on Calle Alcalá, amid jokes, sung orders, well-poured beers and perfectly fried chips, a unique and different spicy sauce was born, with a red, spicy flavour and traditional bar style, which years later would be given a name: Salsa Brava Juana Madrid. This traditional family recipe, which was sold behind the bar of this iconic establishment for more than 50 years, passed through three generations until it reached Ana, who, for the last seven years, together with her partner Juanma, has been responsible for bringing this successful sauce into homes. They have a total of six flavours to choose from (all gluten-free and lactose-free), as well as two packs that are perfect for Christmas gifts.
- Original Pack: This pack is for those who prefer the classics and includes two bottles of Juana Madrid Brava Original and two versions with different levels of spiciness: one Brava Extra Picante and one Brava Suave. It is priced at €21.99.
- Tasting Pack: For those who can’t make up their mind or want to have one for every dish and occasion at home, this pack includes one Juana Madrid Brava Original and one of each exclusive variety: Brava Truffle and Honey; Brava Mango and Curry; and Brava Coriander and Chilli. It is priced at €23.99.
These packs can be purchased both in their online shop and in shops specialising in spicy foods, gourmet products, butchers and small neighbourhood shops such as Mantequerías Andrés, Cannelle in the Vallehermoso Market, Gold Gourmet, Álvarez Selección in the Mercado de la Paz and Sally Pepper; and now also at Sánchez Romero and El Club del Gourmet at El Corte Inglés, as well as on Amazon. Orders placed on their website include personalised gift wrapping that will stand out under the tree.
Good bread
Viena La Baguette – I’ll bring the Roscón… and bread to go with it
Tel. 91 560 09 22 / 91 560 00 14
No well-laid table is complete without good bread; what’s more, we can even pair it with the menu, because this century-old Madrid bakery has something for everyone and produces more than 40 types of bread every day. They are artisan and sourdough, “living” breads that smell and taste of tradition, such as white Payés, Candeal, German rye, EVOO cake, wholemeal, corn loaf, spelt, honey and muesli, crystal bread, and even Christmas flavours such as loaves with dried apricots, figs, raisins, hazelnuts and walnuts, or the ever-popular brioche, which can be used to make a lobster roll, for example…
And if there is one thing that represents the last part of Christmas, it is the Roscón de Reyes, which can be the perfect gift in the days leading up to the arrival of Their Majesties. There is a wide range on offer, and this bakery’s version is a sure bet – 100% natural and traditional, made with clean flours, no additives, high in protein, sourdough, and the best orange blossom water. In addition to the traditional roscón, they always make one with cream and other surprising fillings. Maca, the fifth generation of the century-old firm, is in charge of this, together with her brother Fran, who work side by side with their father Paco Fernández. There is a variety of flavours and two size options, ½ kilo (from £25) and 1 kilo. They must be ordered 24 hours in advance and will be available in mid-December.
They offer home delivery for orders over €15 by calling 91 560 09 22. Customer service hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and deliveries are made the following day. Their entire range of products can be viewed on their social media accounts.
Cold cuts, meats, cheeses…
Solobuey, from appetisers to desserts
Mercamadrid. Central Meat Market, module 13. Madrid. Tel. 91 507 12 32.
Solobuey is a benchmark in haute cuisine and also among private individuals, to whom it delivers high-quality meats and other gourmet products such as cold cuts and cheeses through its online shop. It is the perfect ally for filling your fridge with essentials, and at Christmas, with everything you need for a great feast: sliced Iberian meats, duck delicacies, acorn-fed ham, also by the piece, artisan cheeses to start and/or end the evening… and the essentials for this time of year: leg and shoulder of suckling lamb, ham and roast suckling pig, whole suckling lamb, duck micuit, beef sirloin… Throughout the year, there are raw options, pre-roasted options – to reheat and consume – and, with the festive season in mind, its pre-cooked section is filled with delicacies for all tastes and budgets.
Orders are placed through their website—although special items can be ordered by telephone—where the delivery times for each product are detailed. In Madrid city, they arrive within 24 hours, where possible, and in the rest of the peninsula within 48 hours of the order being received. It is important to check carefully and not rush too much, as some products require 72 hours. Delivery is free throughout the peninsula for purchases over €60. They also deliver to Portugal and some areas of France.
A unique gift
EVOOLEUM guide, for lovers of liquid gold
The 10th edition of the EVOOLEUM Guide is now on the market, featuring the 100 best extra virgin olive oils in the world according to the results obtained in the prestigious EVOOLEUM Awards. On this occasion, the Best EVOO in the world for the 2024/25 season is Monini Monocultivar Coratina, an Italian single-varietal olive oil that has won this award more times than any other. Completing the podium are South Africa’s De Rustica Estate Collection Coratina and La Mancha’s Valdenvero Hojiblanco, whose producer also wins the Best Female Producer and Best Oil Mill Master awards.
This TOP100 includes representatives from 11 countries: Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil, Turkey, France, South Africa, China and, of course, Spain, which, as the world’s largest producer of olive oil, has no fewer than 67 EVOOs on the list. Forty-four are from Andalusia, nine from Castilla La Mancha, four from Madrid, three from Navarre, three from Catalonia, two from Extremadura, one from the Valencian Community and one from Murcia. Of course, gastronomy is once again very much present in this guide. The foreword is written by Jordi Cruz, chef at ABaC Restaurant (3 Michelin stars) and MasterChef judge; the attractive Mediterranean Menu recipe book features 5 healthy recipes by Rodrigo de la Calle, chef at El Invernadero (one Michelin star and one Green Star); while in Oleotourism we discover exclusive resorts where olive trees, history and nature create unique experiences. Interesting articles such as Fire in the kitchen! Gourmet survival kit or Olive oil, physical activity and sport… complete an essential work for lovers of gastronomy and liquid gold. Without a doubt, the ideal gift for the curious and foodies. Shall we put it on the list for Father Christmas, the Three Kings or a Secret Santa?
RRP: €19.50. Available on Amazon and can also be purchased at https://www.evooleum.com/en/
And a 100% gastronomic experience
Ricardo Temiño Restaurant and La Fábrica. The best detail, a memorable lunch
San Juan, 3. Burgos. Tel. 947 04 04 20. www.fabricarestaurante.com
It opened its doors in November 2023, and within a few months it earned its first Repsol Sun; and after just one year, its first Michelin star. We are talking about the signature restaurant of Ricardo Temiño from Burgos and his wife and maître d’ Cristina Lázaro, who also runs La Fábrica, where their dreams began, located in the same building. Yes, there are two restaurants in the same space.
Ricardo Temiño Restaurant’s proposal is based on the “Camino” tasting menu, inspired by pilgrims and their stories, created from the cultural exchange over the centuries by the many people who pass through Burgos, Compostela in hand. That’s why, this holiday season, the best gift isn’t wrapped: it’s experienced, and they propose giving a unique experience with “Camino”, available in a long (19 courses) or short (16 courses) format. It can be enjoyed with or without wine pairing, and given as a gift for one, two or up to four people. It’s perfect for those looking to thrill with a “journey” through gastronomy. From €95, available at fabricarestaurante.com/regala-ricardo.
La Fábrica is recommended by the Repsol and Michelin guides and has been delighting diners since 2014 with a culinary offering that reflects the effort, dedication and passion for local and seasonal produce, which can be enjoyed through a succulent à la carte menu or an attractive seasonal set menu. Its gift voucher allows you to choose between the €50 or €100 option, as well as a Seasonal Menu Voucher for 2 for €64: https://www.fabricarestaurante.com/regala-la-fabrica. An experience designed for those who believe that the best gift is sharing a memorable meal.
Source: AIRES NEWS
