Wine Stories: Celebrate Tempranillo Day

Angela and Celebrity Chef, Mike Ward partnered with Montecillo to celebrate Tempranillo Day by hosting dinner parties as part of the iYellow Supper Club series. 

Much of Spain’s red wine glory hinges upon the jammy, soft red and black fruit of the Tempranillo grape. Found primarily in the northern

regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero along with the centrally located La Mancha, Tempranillo tends to dominate as a single bottle variety and is also a key player in many Garnacha based blends. It produces a medium to full-bodied red wine with lower acidity, decent tannins, and full fruit flavour characteristics (via: The Spruce)

With Tempranillo Day right around the corner on November 9th, this is what you need to be sipping to show your wine pride! Montecillo is one of our favourites, and we hosted a totally inspired dinner party with a curated menu from celebrity chef Mike Ward. Tempranillo is one of the most versatile wines when it comes to pairing both wine and food and this culianry evening was enjoyed by select media and iYellow VIP members.

The pairing menu was as followed…..

Menu

Sardines, Mediterranean Marmalade toast and Charcuterie paired with Sangria with Montecillo Solaz (LCBO #610188)

Course #1

Aguachile – scallops with cilantro, cucumber, lime & radish

Course #2

Fishermans Lunch – Octopus, lemon potatoes, olive tapenade, smoked paprika aioli paired with Montecillo Crianza (LCBO #144493)

Course #3

Pearl Barley Paella – Oven roasted tomato, nutritional yeast, pearl barley, tomato broth, smoked

chipotle paired with Montecillo Reserva (LCBO #621003)

Course #4

Lamb Shanks  Rioja, Lebneh – Rioja & cinnamon braised lamb shanks with dill, cucumber lebeneh & oregano paired with Montecillo Gran Reserva

Course #5

Cheese & Dessert paired with Montecillo Osborne Santa Maria Cream Sherry (LCBO #31120)

Find Montecillo Crianza Rioja for $14.95 at the LCBO here!

+ Montecillo Rioja Reserva for $17.95 at the LCBO here!

(photos courtesy of Libby Roach)