GUEST BLOG: Sarah Mac on Food and Wine in Spain

I don’t know about you but my idea of socialising isn’t sitting in a loud bar not having a conversation. I like to talk; and I like food. And wine; I really like wine. Set me up with a 2004 Rioja Reserva or better a 2001 Gran Reserva; or a 1998 Priorat or even a 2007 Emporda from the Costa Brava and I’ll be a happy girl.

Spain Food and Wine

I love Spain for food and wine. I adore the ‘sobre mesa’; sitting around the dinner table enjoying several courses of honestly prepared food and a variety of complementary beverages. And conversation. I run a business, and I love to talk about life; politics; economics; the stuff that makes the world go round. And as luck would have it, Spanish people love this type of conversation: they engage in it with a passion you’ll never experience over here.

For Starters…

Favourite foods? Well for starters I’m really into a table full of variety. There’s nothing like the aroma, appetising aesthetics and mouth watering taste of freshly and expertly carved Jamon ibérico: cured ham off the bone; but not just any Jamon ibérico; the more you eat this stuff the more you demand; like wine really. Quick lesson then:

The best (and most expensive) jamón ibérico is called jamón ibérico de bellota. What this means is the pigs are free range and before they become food, they happily walk about in oak tree forests feeding on acorns. The nutty taste that results is unbelievable; I can’t get across the way my taste buds are tingling thinking of how the flavours infiltrate those sensitive sections on your tongue, especially when conjugated with the right wine, which to harmonise with this flavoursome nibble has to be a short and sweet number like a Malaga wine or a Moscatel. It just works; trust me.

Schmaturated Fat

So, jamón ibérico de bellota is what you need as part of your perfect starter and whatever you do, don’t mess about taking the fat off: it’s a superb, melt in the mouth delicacy so get it down your neck and enjoy something a bit non Weight Watchers for a change. Saturated fat: schmaturated fat.

Love Cheese

Next: cheese. There’s no messing about here. Spain isn’t really a cheese board country like France or southern England. You don’t get a selection and they don’t dress it up with grapes or crackers: Queso Manchego is what you’ll be given in most places, and the dryer the better. Why? Because it goes better with your wine.

Clamming Up

What else to start? Razor clams. I can’t even say that out loud without yearning. You need a good drop of exceptionally dry and frighteningly cold palomino fino though to really get the best out of them. A good starter wine: Tio Pepe, served uncompromisingly cold as they say, is the perfect partner.

Main Course

I haven’t even dusted the surface here for starters but I’m not allowed that much room on this hen weekends in Spain blog so I’d better get on with the main course.

Andrea said I can only mention limited choices otherwise it will end up sounding like a foodie website rather than a Barcelona hen weekend website, so I’m just covering a couple of meat dishes. I like fish, but I’ll do that in another blog as there is much to mention on that front, what with all the stews and stuff. And sorry, but I don’t do vegetarian.

Tournedor Rossini: heaven meets meat. Just-done; the best bit of the cow makes this fillet steak which oozes pink-ness and intricate flavours. It’s topped with duck’s liver pate; served on meat-juice soaked toast and doused in a dash of delicious pan juices.

Solomillo Iberico: a great, succulent pork steak, full of salty flavours and oh so juicy. I know, I know – I’m English – but honestly this is just so good with chips! Home made, deep fried chips though, not frozen oven chips.

Filete de Buey: Ox, basically. Ox for some reason tastes better than normal beef. It’s got a richer flavour. Try it, and see if you can get it barbequed because the smoke makes it taste more authentic.

Posh Nosh a la Aunty

I’m running out of room here and I haven’t even started on wine. I’ll do a separate blog on wine. Andrea says I have to shut up now but to say all this food and more is available on her Spain hen weekends and that she will arrange any restaurant you like, and she personally knows Michelin chefs and everything. She knows everyone. So if you want posh nosh on your Costa Brava hen weekend, ask Andrea and she’ll sort it.

I’m off to get something to eat. And drink.

Sun, Sea and Seclusion in Spain

If you ask me, hen weekends in the UK have limited appeal. Sure it is possible to go to places such as Newcastle or London and have a good time. But you can have a good time every weekend in these places doing the same thing, just minus the L plates.

But what about those of you who want a hen do that is different, involves fun activities that are centred on the sun and sea and are exclusively designed for you? If all this is on your checklist, an Aunty Andrea hen weekend in Spain will be perfect. 

What can I offer I hear you say? Well, come to Spain’s Costa Brava for my hen Catamaran Cruise and I promise you sun, sea and seclusion. It’s a four hour cruise that includes drink, food, secluded coves and much more. Why not take advantage of Spain’s natural bonuses whilst out here enjoying your last days of freedom? Yes I can offer bar crawls that will rival any other destination. Yes I can offer fantasy men and spa treatments that have to be seen and experienced to be believed.

But I can also offer what London and other UK resorts cannot. Heat, beautiful beaches, clear blue seas and secluded spots of coastline – where anything can happen! But don’t just take my word for it. Come experience a hen weekend Costa Brava for yourself!

Who says girls have to be girls?

Boys will be boys and girls will be girls as the saying goes. There is nothing wrong with that if you ask me. But, what if you and your hen party are after something a little bit different, and dare I say it, more adrenaline fuelled than the usual shopping trips or spa treatments most hen companies have on offer?

Is there anyone out there who can cater for the more thrill seeking hens?

Of course there is – me. For  hen weekends in Spain that will push you close to the edge, contact Aunty Andrea. My white knuckle activities are not just designed for stags you know!

Hen quad biking is great fun that will make any hen weekend in Spain totally enjoyable and memorable in ways that many (including your boys) will not be expecting. Alternatively, if you want to do something as equally exhilarating but a bit more exotic and unusual, try my hen power boating experience. Wickedly wet and wild, you will end up with the worst case of wind hair in your life but also some great experiences. Just capture it on camera for eternal laughs!

So if you want to show your boys that it is not only men who can do something adventurous, get in touch so you can see my full range of hen activities on the Costa Brava and how I can custom build an action packed Spain hen weekend for you all.