Your mention of the Tondonia wine brought to mind a memomable evening in Barcelona at a tapas bar just off the beach and south of the city center.
It was the end of a software implementation in August, '04 and I was being taken out by the project sponsor to at least savor a wee bit of the ambience of Barcelona after spending the previous two weeks in dusty Martorell, at the outskirts of Barcelona, in the heart of the commercial zone.
I digress. We sat down and the wine card was thrust into my hands. I was confronted with page after page of Spanish wines, predominantly Rioja. Somehow, as fate would have it, I chose the 1994 Vina Tondonia. Fate, or dumb luck? Either way, my co-worker and I were mightily impressed with the finesse and depth of flavors offered by the wine, especially considering it was approaching 10 years of age.
The next day, while at the airport waiting for my plane, I chanced upon a wine shop. It was a small shop, but they had some of the wine in stock. Talk about lucky! So, I picked up a few bottles to bring home (back in the days when wine could be carried on to the plane).
Here's the kicker. I had FORGOTTEN the name of the bodega. . . until today when I read your post. Thanks for jogging my memory and confirming my opinion of the wine.
bbennett
· 2 years ago
Your mention of the Tondonia wine brought to mind a memomable evening in Barcelona at a tapas bar just off the beach and south of the city center.
It was the end of a software implementation in August, '04 and I was being taken out by the project sponsor to at least savor a wee bit of the ambience of Barcelona after spending the previous two weeks in dusty Martorell, at the outskirts of Barcelona, in the heart of the commercial zone.
I digress. We sat down and the wine card was thrust into my hands. I was confronted with page after page of Spanish wines, predominantly Rioja. Somehow, as fate would have it, I chose the 1994 Vina Tondonia. Fate, or dumb luck? Either way, my co-worker and I were mightily impressed with the finesse and depth of flavors offered by the wine, especially considering it was approaching 10 years of age.
The next day, while at the airport waiting for my plane, I chanced upon a wine shop. It was a small shop, but they had some of the wine in stock. Talk about lucky! So, I picked up a few bottles to bring home (back in the days when wine could be carried on to the plane).
Here's the kicker. I had FORGOTTEN the name of the bodega. . . until today when I read your post. Thanks for jogging my memory and confirming my opinion of the wine.
Adrienne
· 2 years ago
I'm thrilled to hear that my little article came in handy in jogging your memory. Vina Tondonia is indeed a classic Rioja that is also, interestingly, known for its very old whites. I tried the latest one that is currently available and was stunned to discover that it was from 1988! I have to say, it is not the typical Spanish white, nor a typical aged white wine, but it does have a very particular character that makes it more than worth trying.
I think it is fascinating as well that this particular winery is KNOWN for its aged wines, talk about sticking to your guns! glad you enjoyed it!
Adrienne
Adrienne
· 2 years ago
I'm thrilled to hear that my little article came in handy in jogging your memory. Vina Tondonia is indeed a classic Rioja that is also, interestingly, known for its very old whites. I tried the latest one that is currently available and was stunned to discover that it was from 1988! I have to say, it is not the typical Spanish white, nor a typical aged white wine, but it does have a very particular character that makes it more than worth trying. I think it is fascinating as well that this particular winery is KNOWN for its aged wines, talk about sticking to your guns! glad you enjoyed it! Adrienne
All Comments
It was the end of a software implementation in August, '04 and I was being taken out by the project sponsor to at least savor a wee bit of the ambience of Barcelona after spending the previous two weeks in dusty Martorell, at the outskirts of Barcelona, in the heart of the commercial zone.
I digress. We sat down and the wine card was thrust into my hands. I was confronted with page after page of Spanish wines, predominantly Rioja. Somehow, as fate would have it, I chose the 1994 Vina Tondonia. Fate, or dumb luck? Either way, my co-worker and I were mightily impressed with the finesse and depth of flavors offered by the wine, especially considering it was approaching 10 years of age.
The next day, while at the airport waiting for my plane, I chanced upon a wine shop. It was a small shop, but they had some of the wine in stock. Talk about lucky! So, I picked up a few bottles to bring home (back in the days when wine could be carried on to the plane).
Here's the kicker. I had FORGOTTEN the name of the bodega. . . until today when I read your post. Thanks for jogging my memory and confirming my opinion of the wine.
It was the end of a software implementation in August, '04 and I was being taken out by the project sponsor to at least savor a wee bit of the ambience of Barcelona after spending the previous two weeks in dusty Martorell, at the outskirts of Barcelona, in the heart of the commercial zone.
I digress. We sat down and the wine card was thrust into my hands. I was confronted with page after page of Spanish wines, predominantly Rioja. Somehow, as fate would have it, I chose the 1994 Vina Tondonia. Fate, or dumb luck? Either way, my co-worker and I were mightily impressed with the finesse and depth of flavors offered by the wine, especially considering it was approaching 10 years of age.
The next day, while at the airport waiting for my plane, I chanced upon a wine shop. It was a small shop, but they had some of the wine in stock. Talk about lucky! So, I picked up a few bottles to bring home (back in the days when wine could be carried on to the plane).
Here's the kicker. I had FORGOTTEN the name of the bodega. . . until today when I read your post. Thanks for jogging my memory and confirming my opinion of the wine.
I think it is fascinating as well that this particular winery is KNOWN for its aged wines, talk about sticking to your guns! glad you enjoyed it!
Adrienne
I think it is fascinating as well that this particular winery is KNOWN for its aged wines, talk about sticking to your guns! glad you enjoyed it!
Adrienne