Buenos dias.  Eight amigos of the Bon Vivant group got together for a Spanish themed dinner on a Friday evening recently at Marcel Mercier and Elaine’s home.  Everyone got into the spirit of the evening by preparing classic Spanish dishes.

 Marcel and Elaine cooked a typical Valencia paella over slow heat while everyone munched on Spanish tortilla provided by Bruce Thompson and Lynda accompanied by a 2014 Marques de Caceres Rioja and a 2017 Castillo de Aguaron Cabernet Sauvignon.  We then moved to the table for an authentic Spanish green salad with sherry dressing prepared by Ken Brown and Carol who served it with a 2018 The Y Series Viognier from Australia.

After letting the paella rest during the salad course, Marcel brought it to the table where it was accompanied by a 2009 Garry Oaks Zweigelt that he and Elaine produced when they were still in the business and which—ahem!—won a gold medal in the U.S.  Zweigelt is very similar to a fine Spanish tempranillo.  Glen MacDonald and Jan then presented the group with a delicious Tarta de Santiago (Spanish Almond cake inspired by the Compostela de Santiago) complete with a St. James Cross.  Good food, good company, good laughs.  Ole!