Brrr… this winter is freezing us to the bone despite our coats! But instead of turning us into ice cubes, let’s treat ourselves to a glass of sunshine straight from Catalonia.
Where the sea sparkles and the vineyards bask in the sun on the rocky slopes, wines are produced that turn every gloomy winter day into a party.
Our favorites for cold days:
Garnacha del Priorat: velvety, robust and warm as a blanket by the fire.
Xarel-lo du Penedès: fresh, but with enough character to accompany cheeses and tapas.
Montsant black blend: spicy, dark, perfect to accompany you all winter.
And since wine and food are simply the best friends in the world, here’s a recipe to warm your heart and soul:
Recipe: Catalan veal stew with red wine
Ingredients (for 4 persons) :
- 800 g of veal shoulder cut in cubes
- 2 onions, coarsely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 sliced carrots
- 200 ml of full-bodied Catalan red wine (e.g. Priorat)
- 400 ml beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 sprig of rosemary, 1 sprig of thyme
- Salt, pepper, olive oil
Preparation :
- Brown the veal in the olive oil over high heat and remove from the pan.
- Add the onions, garlic and carrots to the same pan and sauté.
- Add the tomato puree and sauté briefly.
- Deglaze with the red wine and add the meat stock and herbs.
- Return the meat to the casserole, cover and simmer for 2 hours.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve with a fresh baguette and a glass of the same wine.
- Suddenly, winter has a taste of sunshine and siesta!
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