About this experience
In wine there is not only truth, but also history - on this gastronomic excursion you will learn about the traditions of viticulture in Spain and enjoy the taste of local wines. Two unique places will open their doors to you: the first one is a wine bar with interiors from the past century, and the second one is an ancient wine cellar in the heart of the city. You will be treated with exquisite wines made from Moscatel and Pedro Jiménez grapes, as well as Spain's main culinary 'attraction' - hamon!
What to Expect
In Stevenson's novels, pirates drank 'Malaga'. Yes, this wine has long been known to the residents of the Old and New Worlds - the thick, sweet wine 'Málaga Virgen' and the indispensable attribute of any celebration - the sweet white wine 'Cartojal'. There are other dessert wines well known to connoisseurs, such as 'Pajarete', 'Lagrima' - all made from local Moscatel and Pedro Jiménez grape varieties. These are the ones we will definitely taste together. And not just anywhere, but in the ancient wine cellar 'El Pimpi', in the heart of old Malaga. Celebrities like Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, John Malkovich, Placido Domingo, Bernardo Picasso (the artist's grandson), Paloma Picasso (the artist's younger daughter), Baroness Thyssen (Carmen Servera), Duchess Cayetana de Alba, and the bullfighter 'El Cordobes' have visited this cellar.
But first, we will get into a car and head to the small picturesque town of Olias, where the oldest winery in the province of Malaga is located - Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia. We will visit their museum, where exhibits have served many generations of winery owners and are now revered as museum pieces. We will see the wine production process using modern equipment at the winery. And of course, we will taste the wines produced right here, at this family-owned facility. Four exquisite wines from ancient production recipes (from 1840 and 1908) will delight us with their rich bouquets. And how can you resist buying a few bottles of this elixir of youth and joy from the hospitable owners?!
Now, back to Malaga, to the tavern El Pimpi. In the historic interiors of this establishment, you squint in the semi-darkness: is that Count La Fer at the next table? Isn't that the famous Athos? (he preferred 'Malaga' to all other wines, whenever he had a choice).
And of course, Spain's pride - hamon! You must know how to taste it, just like you know how to taste good wine! The best one is Iberico ham. It's the hind leg of a semi-wild Iberian pig - I'll tell you more about them. The slicing of ham is also an art! The leg is secured in a special holder called a hamonera, and a specially trained person cuts the meat into perfectly translucent slices with a long, narrow knife. And here, the ham is laid out in front of you on a plate... Don't rush to put it in your mouth - first, smell it! Yes, that's the ritual! The smell of dried natural meat arouses the appetite. Now you are ready to taste. Let's begin! We will try meat of different ages, slices from different parts of the leg, try the meat of the pig and wild boar... Congratulations! You are now connoisseurs not only of wine, but also of hamon. =)
Organizational Details
Additional Expenses
- Tastings of 4 wines at the winery - 15 euros per person, but not less than 60 euros per group
- Food and drinks at the El Pimpi wine cellar (continued tasting of Malaga wines and hamon)
- Possible guided tour for a group of 4-7 people - 295 euros per group
