Sandy brought some wonderful eggplant nibbles to go along with Bob's Serrano
Ham, Peppers, Olives and Fava Bean Salad.
Bob also had a lovely Tuna Tartare to go with the Champagne.
Now having several years' aging "on the cork," this 1990 Vintage Brut
from Charles Heidsieck is fantastic!
Meanwhile, in the kitchen Bob set about preparing the Paella Valenciana.
The Lobster wasn't too thrilled at having been invited to this soire!
Bob prepared a lovely Gazpacho Soup and passed around bowls of
"enhancements": red onions, cucumber, peppers and croutons.
The two white wines were delicious! The Albario was fresh and fruity,
while the Creu de Lavit is a nicely oaked white.
The birthday girl, Alexia Moore.
The paella, fresh from the oven, was spectacular!
The magnum of Alion was intense and rich, cedary, mildly smoky and displaying
lots of black fruit notes.
The Clos Monlleo from Priorat, also from the 1998 vintage, was charming, sweetly
oaked and thoroughly delicious.
Chef Bob Gorman.
Mostly Spanish cheeses.
The 1970 Castillo Ygay is an "old styled" Rioja, having a somewhat
"sharp" quality to it on the nose and palate. It's acidic bite
made it lovely with the cheeses.
After a salad, we had dessert, a Birthday Flan with a bottle of the superb
Spanish Muscat called Casta Diva.
Alexia received a bottle of "Red Velvet" wine.
And an olive clock.
Paul and Sandy enjoyed the various spirits and digestifs offered after the meal.
Even Alexia had a little schluck!
BACK TO THE FIRST FOOD & WINE
PAGE
ALEXIA'S
2ND BIRTHDAY BASH OF THE WEEK.
