Summary

Arrival in Valencia
Pre-Dinner Preparation
Casa Montana: A Valencian Institution
Wine Tasting Experience
Dinner Highlights
Conclusion

Evening of Wine Tasting and Culinary Delights in Valencia

Our arrival in Valencia occurred fairly late in the evening. Nonetheless, by the time we were collected from the airport, settled into our hotel, and prepared for dinner, midnight was drawing near.

Based on prior experiences, we anticipated that dining would occur later in Spain; therefore, our pre-dinner ritual primarily entailed unwinding with a bottle of wine and getting ready for the evening’s engagements.

Shortly after enjoying our wine, we ventured into Valencia for an evening filled with gastronomic wonders at
Casa Montana.

Casa Montana stands as a storied institution in Valencia.

This establishment has been in operation since 1836 and enjoys renowned patronage from Prime Ministers, celebrities, and locals alike.

The local clientele frequently procure their vermouth and wine from this venue in reusable bottles, emphasizing a tradition that has lasted for nearly a century.

The culinary standards have been upheld through generations, with the proprietors personally sourcing ingredients from farms throughout Europe.

The dedication to finding high-quality products, such as superior olive oil, is commendable; the owners make the effort to visit the farms in person.

Nothing is overlooked at Casa Montana; the proprietors are knowledgeable about the precise origins of their ingredients and can share enriching narratives regarding each one.

The wine collection is impressive, featuring bottles that reach extraordinary prices, even as high as £5,000.

It was also at Casa Montana that my perspective on ham was dramatically altered.

My experience at Casa Montana culminated in the realization that I had never tasted ham of this caliber before; it has irrevocably altered my perception of ham platters.

To elaborate, Iberian ham is particularly distinguished, especially from pigs nurtured on acorns; the experience of consuming it just after it has been sliced is exceptional.

It genuinely dissolves in your mouth, reminiscent of butter, devoid of the stringy, chewy nature that we often associate with commercially available cured ham.

Prior to our dinner, we commenced with an exceptional wine tasting session. Historically, I would often leave such gatherings either inebriated or overwhelmed, without gaining much knowledge about wine.

This time, however, the session was distinctly different. The sommelier provided engaging, easy-to-understand instructions on how to appreciate wine correctly.

Interestingly enough, the individual conducting the tasting did not speak English but focused solely on Spanish. Despite the language barrier—my Spanish skills being subpar—he successfully communicated the essential elements to consider in wine tasting.

The humorous aspect was that, despite my inadequate grasp of the language, I was able to glean meaningful insights into wine appreciation.

Wine tasting prepared us well for the evening ahead—a dinner featuring an impressive array of Spanish tapas, with particular praise for the steak, beans, and patatas bravas.

Conclusively, I could elaborate further on how extraordinary our dining experience was, but as previously stated, the meticulous attention given to each ingredient amplifies the significance of the meal.