Wines from Spain at the 2012 FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen: Celebrating Twenty Years

The Classic draws that nation’s most noteworthy food and beverage talent

06/21/2012

The Classic in Aspen consists of three days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and panel discussions

For twenty years, Wines from Spain has been a headlining sponsor at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. In its 30th year as America's premier culinary event, the Classic in Aspen consists of three days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and panel discussions by world-class chefs and wine experts. Year after year, the Classic draws that nation’s most noteworthy food and beverage talent including experts such as Mario Batali, Gail Simmons, José Andrés, Jacques Pépin, Paul Grieco, and Joshua Wesson.

Wines from Spain kicks off the weekend with a Spanish-themed BBQ on Thursday night for high-profile chefs, media, and industry influencers. The 2012 ‘Celebrate Spain’ party, which has become the “place to be” for industry attendees, was hosted with partners Chef José Andrés’ Think Food Group and The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas at the Tuscan Estate dubbed ‘Casa José’ on West Buttermilk Road.

As attendees entered Casa José after being shuttled in by logoed Lexus cars, they were greeted to a feast of Spanish food and wine in an incomparable setting. Guests sampled wines from across Spain at tables from Rías Baixas, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Valencia and Wines from Spain. The wines paired with Rappahannock oysters being freshly shucked on the patio, Spanish cheeses from Forever Cheese, and “José’s Taco”—Fermin’s sliced Jamon Iberico de Bellota filled with caviar.

High profile media and guests including restaurateurs Danny Meyer and Drew Nieporent, Chefs Jaques Pepin, Marcus Samuelsson, John Besh, Rick Bayless, Marc Murphy, Jonny Iuzzini, Tom Colicchio, and Ming Tsai, and wine experts Leslie Sbrocco, Josh Wesson, Aldo Sohm, Bernie Sun and Paul Grieco enjoyed the wines and small plates while watching the sun set over the Rockies from the estate’s stunning lawn and fire pit. The night concluded with a special surprise for Wines from Spain—a birthday cake and the “happy birthday” song led by José Andrés to celebrate Wines from Spain’s twenty years at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.

Friday morning marked the official beginning of the three day FOOD & WINE Classic, in which Wines from Spain always plays a prominent role both in the grand tastings and seminars. One of only three tents in the grand tasting, Wines from Spain anchors the festival and offers 24 tables of wines from across the country, including special regional tables featuring wines from Rías Baixas, Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Valencia as well as tables of tapas prepared by Chef Javier Gonzalez-Bringas from local restaurant Tempranillo, as well as Jamón Ibérico and Spanish cheeses. Considered a staple in the Classic, both trade and consumer attendees consistently remark that the Wines from Spain tent remains their favorite part of the Classic.

In addition to the grand tasting tents, Wines from Spain was featured at the Classic’s many seminars, including the Undiscovered Grapes of Spain with wine and spirits educator Steve Olson, Spanish Wine: Better with Age led by sommelier Marnie Old, Cheese and Wine Around the World with cheese expert Laura Werlin and wine editor Megan Krigbaum, and Spain: An Italian Chef’s Pilgrimage with Chef Michael Chiarello. Over the course of the three-day FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, almost all attendees experienced the wines and foods from Spain, making them both lovers and ambassadors for all things Spanish.