When the Jamaican chapter of the global wine and spirits affiliate of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs — called the Mondiale du Vin — approached the Embassy to host a tasting of Spanish wines, Her Excellency Celsa Nuño responded positively while highlighting the importance of gastronomy to the Spanish culture. Since the proceeds from the event would go toward the development of local culinary talent, plans went into high gear with The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation coming on board. Spanish-Jamaican Foundation member, The Grand Palladium Resort and Spa, led by its Jamaican Executive Chef Frederick Gayle, provided a most delightful menu for the evening. The wait staff consisted mainly of students from the University of Technology’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Upon arrival guests were served the popular Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, Freixenet Cordón Negro Brut. Freixenet (pronounced “frayshnette”) is a leading producer of sparkling wines created in the methode champenoise tradition.

Dinner commenced with a wonderful rosé from the Rioja region of Spain — the Marques de Riscal Rosado 2009. Marqués de Riscal began making rosé wines in the 1960s, using grapes from young Tempranillo vines less than 15 years old, at the time of the cellar’s centenary. This rosé is made by the traditional method of bleeding the must, with a concept of classicism and refinement, achieving a delicacy, freshness and smoothness, which is rarely found in this type of wine. The wine has an intense, bright, lively raspberry colour. On the nose, it reveals intense aromas of strawberry and raspberry, with a hint of blossom. On the palate it is fresh and balanced, with a finish full of pleasant, crisp sensations. This wine accompanied the very pleasant Gazpacho.

The next course included another traditional Spanish Dish — Paella. This was made with Spanish rice along with spiny lobster and shrimp flavoured with saffron. The tasty paella was smartly paired with the Albariño Veiga Naum 2009 — fresh and fruit-driven with white peach, apricot, melon, pineapple, on the palate, and a finish that is fragrant and persistent.

The sweet and sour cured ham salad with mango, grapefruit and baby lettuce was served with the La Miranda de Secastilla 2008. This red wine is a deep, ruby-like colour with violet highlights. On the nose it shows ripe and intensely concentrated blackberry fruit, laced with sweet oak. Supple, sumptuous and round, a lithe mouthful of spicy cherry and plum flavours that remain succulent right through the long, fine-grained finish.

We took our chances with the main course Red snapper al pilpil: a fillet of red snapper cooked in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and chilli with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, pouring a red wine from Spain’s most popular wine region — Rioja. This wine was a Bodegas Riojanas, Viña Albina 2001 Gran Reserva — a delicate, old-fashioned Rioja, with an earthy, root vegetable tone to its dark fruit. The pairing turned out very well! A number of guests expected this wine to be big and powerful, but it actually mellowed quite well and worked superbly with the fish.

We finished the evening with Passion Natilla, which is a Spanish-style cream custard with passion fruit pureé. Offered with dessert was a Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro. After-dinner drinks included a great Spanish Brandy — Gran Duque De Alba — made in Sherry, Spain in the Brandy de Jerez Solera Grand Reserva Appelation. Brandy de Jerez is one of only three regions in the world to be given specific appellation for brandy. The goldhighlighted mahogany colour and the complexity of the aromas — wine esters with distinctive balsamic notes — remind us of the brandy’s lengthy presence in wood. The palate is medium-dry, smooth and full, with burnt undertones and hints of vanilla, followed by a long, pleasing finish.

The prolonged applause and numerous congratulatory messages conveyed to the kitchen team and the wait staff spoke to the event’s huge success. The next step will be to present the proceeds to the recipient(s).

Christopher Reckord — Businessman, Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @DeVineWines @Reckord