The Gran Orden was founded to recognise those in Spain and the UK who work to promote the best in Spanish wines in the UK. Our annual Investiture Dinner is a great opportunity to celebrate.
In 2024, we once again enjoyed a menu put together by the executive chef of the Landmark hotel London, Gary Klaner, paired with wines selected by Caballeros from those submitted for tasting to ICEX by UK importers. Thank you to the producers and importers who kindly provided the beer, jamón, waters and wines.
Dinner
Ensalada de Espárragos Verdes y Blancos, Ventresca,
Huevo de Codorniz, Alioli de Azafrán
Green and White Asparagus Salad, Ventresca, Quail’s Egg, Saffron Alioli
Costilla de Vaca Cocida a Fuego Lento, Puré de Rábano Picante,
Brócoli, Habas, Salsa de Rioja
Slow Cooked Short Rib of Beef, Horseradish Mash, Tenderstem, Broad Beans,
Rioja Sauce
Alaska Horneado de Fresa y Vainilla,
Fresa Maridada en Vinagre de Jerez
Strawberry and Vanilla Baked Alaska, Strawberry in Sherry Vinegar
Té, Café y Dulces
Tea, Coffee and Petits Fours
Wines
Reception
Fino Sherry – DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
CRDO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
The Fino for the reception was kindly supplied by the Consejo Regulador of Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. It was selected to represent the classic Fino with ‘a dry white wine made from Palomino grapes aged under a layer of flor yeast with a sharp, delicate bouquet slightly reminiscent of almonds, with hints of fresh dough and wild herbs’.
It was served with great flair by the Venenciador of the Consejo Regulador de Jerez, D. Jesús Rubiales
Torelló Brut Reserva 2018 – Corpinnat
Torelló Viticultors
This fine, expressive traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada aged for a minimum of 24 months. It comes from the Can Martí estate in Alt Penedès, which has been in the Torelló family since 1395 – now in their 22nd and 23rd generation. Organic.
Imported by Moreno Wines
Investiture
Señorío de Sarría Rosado 2023 – DO Navarra
Señorío de Sarría
This well-known rosado is a standard-bearer for the classic, deeply-coloured pink wines
of Navarra. It is 100% Garnacha, layered with ripe berry fruits and notes of pomegranate.
The 210 ha of vineyards extend across a glorious, historic estate in Valdizarbe,
at the crossroads for the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Imported by Boutinot Wines
Starter
Pazo Señorans Colección 2020 – DO Rías Baixas
Pazo Señorans
Caballero Marisol Bueno founded the winery with her husband in 1989. Today Señorans is renowned for the beauty of the estate, and for its expertise in ageing Albariño on its lees and in bottle. This Colección has had 5 months on the lees and a further 30 months in the bottle giving a wine of great elegance, and underscoring the potential of Albariño.
Imported by Alliance Wine
Cosme Palacio 1894 Blanco 2018 – DOCa Rioja
Cosme Palacio
The entrepreneurial Don Cosme Palacio founded the winery – as the name of the wine
suggests – in 1894. Today the eponymous bodega beside Laguardia is owned by Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos, and draws its fruit from across Rioja Alavesa. This Viura, with a touch of Malvasía, is a tribute to classic white Riojas: aged for 10 months in French oak, giving notes of sweet spice, minerals, citrus and white flowers.
Imported by North South Wines
Wines
Main Course
aD Libitum 2020 – DOCa Rioja
Bodegas Sancha
Juan Carlos Sancha, winemaker and professor at the University of La Rioja,
specialises in single variety wines and rescuing disappearing varietals.
One such rarity is Monastel de Rioja, and it’s a pleasure to be able to showcase
it to a wide audience this evening. It’s an original, bursting with freshness, definitely Riojan, but a very different expression of Rioja Alta.
Imported by Freixenet Copestick
Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2016 – DOCa Rioja
La Rioja Alta
A classic, 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano. Viña Arana is aged for three years in
American oak barrels with an average age of 4.5 years. Six traditional rackings are carried out by candlelight to separate the sediment. The result is an expressive, full-bodied, ripe and spicy Rioja Gran Reserva, with a long, fresh finish, reflecting the excellent vintage.
Imported by Armit Wines
Dessert
Dulce Enero Ice Wine 2022 – DO Manchuela
Bodegas Altolandon
‘Dulce Enero’ is the name because this unique golden sweet wine is harvested in January. It’s an ice wine from vineyards at over 1000 m. Much respect is due to the team who hand harvest the frozen grapes in the winter chill. The wine ferments slowly over several months in small stainless steel tanks, with native yeasts. Owner and winemaker Rosalía Molina introduced the Petit Manseng variety which gives the freshness and tropical notes to the wine. Organic.
Imported by Alliance Wine
Stirrup Cup
Gran Juvé Gran Reserva Brut 2017 – DO Cava
Juvé y Camps
An emblematic wine for Juvé y Camps, elegant, vibrant and refreshing, from vineyards
at 220 – 700 m, with an average age of 35 years. The four varieties – Xarel·lo, Macabeo,
Chardonnay and Parellada – are fermented separately and then blended and then
aged on lees for a minimum of 50 months. Organic.
Imported by C&D Wines
Sponsors
Jamón de Bellota 100% Ibérico
Castro y González
Castro y González acorn-fed, 100% Iberian ham is recognised by its
elongated shape and dark, worn hoof, typical of the pigs raised in the freedom
on the dehesa. It has an intense and bright colour with a great presence of marbling.
An intense savoury aroma and hints of nuttiness, for an ideal balance
between salinity and a long, pleasant aftertaste.
Imported by Brindisa
Victoria Málaga
Cervezas Victoria Málaga
Named after the patron saint of Málaga, “La Virgen de la Victoria”,
Victoria Málaga has been a symbol of Málaga since 1928. A 4.8% ABV lager,
brewed with 100% natural quality ingredients and a 12-day maturation process that
balances and deepens the flavour of this refreshing beer. Victoria Málaga is a super
premium, sessionable lager with a superb taste.
Imported by Damm 1876
Mondariz
Aguas de Mondariz
Aguas de Mondariz is a balanced mineral-medicinal water, of pure origin,
from ancient granite that provides golden hues and amplifies its
crystalline transparency. Its smooth and pleasant texture gives
it a fresh tactile sensation with a silky feel.
Imported by C&D Wines
Vichy Catalán
To talk of Vichy Catalan genuine natural sparkling mineral water
is to talk of 140 years of history, prestige and quality. In the world
of table waters, it stands out from the rest thanks to its unmistakable flavour
and the finesse of its bubbles.
Imported by C&D Wines