Friends and wine should be old ~ Spanish Proverb
The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, "to cover". Tapa means "lid" or "cover" in Spanish.
Of the various legends on the origin of tapas many versions involve King Alfonso XIII or King Fernando XVII, while according to one of the oldest restaurants in Spain, El Ventorrillo del Chato, King Fernando VII is the subject of the tale.
No matter which king it really was, all the stories go something like this.
Following a voyage along one of the longest routes in Andalusia, the King arrived at a restaurant where he was served a glass of wine with a slice of cheese over top (some say it was ham or bread). Although the King knew that the slice was being used as a tapadera, a cover to protect the wine from bugs or dust, he ate it anyways, as did his entire court. Following this event it is said that the King continued to ask for "tapas" with his wine everywhere he went.
Other legends claim that the origin of tapas is related an ill King Alfonso X, El Sabio, the Wise, who needed to have small snacks and small amounts of wine in between meals in order to recover. It is said that once the King got back to health, he decided that inns and bars in Castile would always need to serve a snack alongside wine.
Magic mouthfuls by any other name.
The September 5, 2015 Tapas Tasting was hosted by Susie M. in her artfully decorated home. Eight Women Who Wine attended the event. We welcomed three new members to our group - Liz B., Susan, and Liz L. for a total of eleven attendees who enjoyed the afternoon.
After introducing the new members, the event started off with a taste of sparkling cava. From there, members enjoyed the tapas with accompanying wine at each of the six tasting stations.
After enjoying libations, the group retired to the patio to chat about upcoming events.
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| LtoR - New members Liz L and Liz B, Connie and Susie |
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| LtoR - Vicky, new member Susan and Connie |
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| LtoR - Susie and Cathy (our very own Karaoke Queen!) We never could figure out why Cathy's name tag is upside down! |
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| LtoR - Cathy and Christy Wine - Santa Margharita Pinot Grigio Tapas - Grapes stuffed with Goat Cheese and Almonds, Manchego Cheese and Quava Paste |
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| Connie Wine - Sparkling Cava Tapas - Bruschetta with pancetta, fig jam, and goat cheese w/ sage |
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| Judy Wine - Torre Sangre de Toro Tapas - Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms |
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| Vicky Wine - Spanish Garnacha Tapas - Empanadas |
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| Susie Wine - Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva: Tempranillo, Rioja Tapas - |
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| LtoR - Kelly and Daryl Wine - Albariño Tapas - Gambas al ajillo (Shrimp with Garlic) |
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| LtoR - Christy and Judy |
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| LtoR - Judy, Vicky, Christy and Liz L |
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| LtoR - Daryl and Connie Who is that being naughty in the background?! |
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| May I have your attention, please! Good luck, Vicky! |
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| You can run but you can't hide from the camera, Kelly! |
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| LtoR - Susie and Daryl |
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| Shhh, I've got a secret! |
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| Vicky without her collar. We hardly recognize you! |
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| Connie discovers the importance and power of the talking stick, um...wine bottle! |
With Wine & Hope, Anything is possible." ~ Spanish Proverb
