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.
After last year’s exceptional 40th anniversary dinner, member Owen Morgan was once again invited to design a Spanish menu to be prepared by Gary Klaner, Executive Chef at The Landmark London and his team. As a nod to Owen’s Welsh roots, it featured seasonal Wye Valley Asparagus, as well as acorn-fed Ibérico pork and other premium Spanish ingredients.
It was paired with wines selected by Caballeros from those submitted for tasting to ICEX by UK importers and Spanish wineries/producers. Alongside the Sherry and Cava habitually served at the welcome reception, a third non-alcoholic option was served for the first time. The Zeno “Alcohol-liberated Sparkling White” crafted in Castilla-La-Mancha highlights Spain’s leadership in this cutting-edge new category.
Thank you to all the Producers and their Importers for kindly providing the beer, jamón, waters and wines.
Menu
Wines
Reception
I Think Manzanilla En Rama 2025 – DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
This is the first appearance of Manzanilla at the Caballeros dinner in recent years, and it makes a welcome return. ‘I Think’ is a selection of butts from the La Guita cellars, resulting in an intense wine, crisp and mineral, with a salty note reflecting its origin. It was aged under flor for about four and a half years, and bottled with a slight filtration. Its name ‘I Think’ is in homage to Charles Darwin, and the triumph of reason.
Sumarroca Reserva Brut Organic 2023 – DO Cava
Sumarroca produces entirely estate-grown Cavas from its extensive property in the Penedès, which has Biosphere Sustainable certification. This Cava is a classic blend of Xarel.lo 40%, Macabeo 35% and Parellada 25%. Aged for 36 months, it has developed a delicate nutty, brioche character, while still retaining the energy of its Mediterranean fruit.
Zeno Alcohol-liberated Sparkling White NV – Product of Spain
The Zeno range of alcohol-free wines was launched in December 2022. This sparkling white is made from Macabeo grapes from Castilla-La Mancha. After vinification, the alcohol is removed by low temperature vacuum distillation. The Zeno range also includes a white, a Bobal rosado, a Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon, and a sparkling Macabeo/Garnacha rosado.
Investiture
Flor de Muga Blanco Reserva 2022 – DOCa Rioja
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.
After last year’s exceptional 40th anniversary dinner, member Owen Morgan was once again invited to design a Spanish menu to be prepared by Gary Klaner, Executive Chef at The Landmark London and his team. As a nod to Owen’s Welsh roots, it featured seasonal Wye Valley Asparagus, as well as acorn-fed Ibérico pork and other premium Spanish ingredients.
It was paired with wines selected by Caballeros from those submitted for tasting to ICEX by UK importers and Spanish wineries/producers. Alongside the Sherry and Cava habitually served at the welcome reception, a third non-alcoholic option was served for the first time. The Zeno “Alcohol-liberated Sparkling White” crafted in Castilla-La-Mancha highlights Spain’s leadership in this cutting-edge new category.
Thank you to all the Producers and their Importers for kindly providing the beer, jamón, waters and wines.
Menu
Wines
Reception
I Think Manzanilla En Rama 2025 – DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
This is the first appearance of Manzanilla at the Caballeros dinner in recent years, and it makes a welcome return. ‘I Think’ is a selection of butts from the La Guita cellars, resulting in an intense wine, crisp and mineral, with a salty note reflecting its origin. It was aged under flor for about four and a half years, and bottled with a slight filtration. Its name ‘I Think’ is in homage to Charles Darwin, and the triumph of reason.
Sumarroca Reserva Brut Organic 2023 – DO Cava
Sumarroca produces entirely estate-grown Cavas from its extensive property in the Penedès, which has Biosphere Sustainable certification. This Cava is a classic blend of Xarel.lo 40%, Macabeo 35% and Parellada 25%. Aged for 36 months, it has developed a delicate nutty, brioche character, while still retaining the energy of its Mediterranean fruit.
Zeno Alcohol-liberated Sparkling White NV – Product of Spain
The Zeno range of alcohol-free wines was launched in December 2022. This sparkling white is made from Macabeo grapes from Castilla-La Mancha. After vinification, the alcohol is removed by low temperature vacuum distillation. The Zeno range also includes a white, a Bobal rosado, a Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon, and a sparkling Macabeo/Garnacha rosado.
Investiture
Flor de Muga Blanco Reserva 2022 – DOCa Rioja
This year’s Investiture wine celebrates the continuing revival of white Rioja. Muga first launched this style in 2018 – a blend of three different varieties from three different soil types: Viura (ferrous clay), Garnacha Blanca (calcareous clay) and Maturana Blanca (sandy loam). The mosto flor, the free-run juice, was fermented in new French oak, and aged for 6 months, before spending 18 months in bottle, to create a vibrant, elegant wine with notes of sweet spices, citrus and light toast.
Starter
Louro do Bolo 2024 – DO Valdeorras
Rafael Palacios is in his third decade in Valdeorras, continuing his intense focus on the Godello variety, working across more than 32 parcels. The fruit for Louro (meaning ‘bay leaf’ in Galician) comes from around the O Bolo municipality. The vines are on average 25 years old, and they grow at around 600 metres on sandy granitic soils with clay deposits. After fermentation in 35hl French oak foudres, the wine is aged for 4 months on its fine lees: ripe with refreshing acidity and a saline note. Practising organic.
Ripa Rosado 2020 – DOCa Rioja
From one of Rioja’s newer winemakers, already long involved with the business of Rioja wine, and with a very deep personal connection with the region. José Luis Ripa launched his eponymous project ten years ago. There is one wine, a rosado. Complex and full of character, the wine draws on his own enjoyment of the distinct character of aged rosés and their gastronomic appeal. This is a blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo, with oak ageing to build the texture.
Main Course
Viñedos de Peciña 2021 – DOCa Rioja
Peciña is a striking narrow amphitheatre of terraced vineyards at around 650m in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. It’s part of Telmo Rodriguez’s Lindes de Remelluri project, which showcases vineyards from grower-partners near the boundaries (lindes) of the Remelluri estate. The vines are 40-60 years old, and the pure, elegant, delicate wine with its crunchy red fruits is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha, aged for 12 months in oak barrels of various sizes. Practising organic.
Torresilo 2021 – DO Ribera del Duero
Cillar de Silos is a family-owned vineyard in Ribera del Duero established in 1994 but with roots dating back to the 17th century. Now in the hands of three siblings, Oscar, Roberto and Amelia, the estate tends 98 hectares around Quintana del Pidio, including low-yielding, pre-phylloxera vines over 100 years old. The 2021 Torresilo delivers vibrant aromatics of blackberries and plums, an expressive palate of damsons and nutmeg, and a long, refreshing mineral finish.
Dessert
MdO Moscato de Ochoa 2025 – DO Navarra
The Ochoa family has long been known for its Moscatel (de Grano Menudo). Winemaker Adriana Ochoa looked to create a low alcohol wine at a time when there were few in Spain, while wanting to respect Navarra’s ancestral Moscatel. This is the convincingly delicious result: partially fermented to 5.5% ABV; a gloriously floral Moscatel, lightly sparkling, with a refreshingly light sweetness. It’s ‘a warm hug’, as sisters Beatriz and Adriana put it.
Stirrup Cup
Millésimé Blanc de Noirs Gran Reserva Brut 2022 – DO Cava
A wine from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, precise and bright with crunchy red fruits. From the Rieral vineyard in the Alt Penedès, made from north-facing plots to ensure freshness. Aged for 36 months.
Tresor Cuvée Barrique Gran Reserva Brut 2021 – DO Cava
This Gran Reserva full of candied fruits and spice is a blend of Xarel.lo grown at 340m and Chardonnay at 700m. Part of the Chardonnay is fermented and aged in barrel for 5 months to build complexity. Aged for more than 48 months.
Sponsors
Jamón de Bellota Ibérico
‘AWAKEN YOUR IBÉRICO SENSE’ is ASICI’s campaign aimed at promoting Jamón Ibérico in key international markets, with the support of the EU. Jamón Ibérico embodies a centuries-old tradition and stands as a symbol of excellence.
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.
Mondariz
Aguas de Mondariz is a naturally balanced mineral-medicinal water of pure origin, filtered through ancient granite which imparts golden reflections and enhances the water’s crystalline clarity.
Vichy Catalán
Vichy Catalan genuine natural sparkling mineral water embodies 140 years of heritage, prestige, and exceptional quality.