Summer is the peak travel season because children are out of school and family schedules are generally free. One of the most popular summer destinations is Spain, especially Barcelona, because the city has something for everyone. The Huffington Post travel blogger Adam Groffman explains the appeal of the City of Counts.
“In Barcelona, however, it’s not all about beauty. There is also culture. You’ll find it everywhere. You have museums that are a must: like the one dedicated to Miró or Picasso. You can experience modern art, theater, music. Food is definitely another art form in this city. In Barceloneta you can get fresh bakery products, or try a delicious fish in one of the local restaurants and markets. I love recommending visiting the Barceloneta Market, and then walking along the beach, watching people playing chess or checkers, exercising on the beach, enjoying an ice cream (seriously: I go for the ice scream at Eyescream and friends) or just contemplating the sea.”
A trip to Barcelona is incomplete without trying authentic Spanish food like tapas. Tapas are generally finger food or bite-sized snacks consisting of small portions of meatballs, battered squid rings, tender meat, white anchovies, and others. Delicious tapas in Barcelona usually serve as appetizers and go very well with wine. However, tourists and locals alike should know which wine goes best with them, so below is a brief guide.
Spanish Wine
Spain is one of the world’s largest wine producers. Therefore, varieties of Spanish white wines such as Verdejo and red wine varieties such as Garnacha naturally go well with tapas in Barcelona, although a good tip is to pair meat-based tapas such as albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and empanadas with Rioja wine.
Chilean Wine
Chile has close ties with Spain, and therefore it is perhaps for this reason that there are varieties of Chilean wines of choice that are perfect with seafood-based tapas. These include Chardonnay produced in Santiago with notes of pineapple and lemon, which is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Middle Eastern Wine
When it comes to finding a good match with tapas, Middle Eastern wine is very unlikely on everyone’s list. However, fusion and admired restaurants like Ziryab have shown that nothing is a better match. Arabic cuisine is highly dependent on spicy flavors, a twist more, welcome to tapas. To complement spicy tapas, subtle red wines are the answer.
When visiting a new place, most people go for the attractions. However, in Barcelona, the attractions include the city’s delicious cuisine headed by pequeno appetizers. To maximize enjoyment, people simply have to know what kind of wine goes best with them.
(Source: Nothing Compares a Barcelona en el verano , huffingtonpost.com 2 de junio de 2014)