January 2019 Review – Day 5 Part 2 – Time to sign off from Montilla-Moriles

Bodegas Toro Albalá

Following our time with Francisco savouring Santaella and at Bodegas Robles, we drove out to Aguilar de la Frontera to Bodegas Toro Albalá with the intention of buying some vinegar for friend. We caught up with their Export Manager, Antonio Sorgato who very kindly poured us three of their wines to enjoy, Fino Eléctrico, Marqués de Poley Palo Cortado and the Don PX Cosecha 2017. A bottle of the Don PX 1990 was gifted to us by Antonio to take back to Scotland.

Left to Right – Antonio, Laura and Erik

: Fino Eléctrico

: Marqués de Poley Palo Cortado

: PX Cosecha 2017

Many times we will pop into a bodega we have been to previously only if it is to say hello. We must say many thanks to Antonio for spending time with us and his generosity.

A meat feast at Restaurant El Nido

Antonio was kind enough to give us a restaurant recommendation for lunch following our visit. Just a short 3 minute drive from the bodega it was a first visit for us and quite the recommendation it was. He said to order something grilled. Many times when we eat out Erik gets food envy over what Laura orders and this was fine example of this. Whilst the lamb chops were very tasty as usual, the pork tenderloin skewer was fabulous. Somewhere where we will need to return to on our next visit.

: Pork Tenderloin Skewer

: Grilled lamb chops

A fly by of Moriles

Following the meat feast, we dropped into Bodegas el Monte in the Moriles Alto just to say hello and Paula provided us with a glass of fino to enjoy whilst there. It is interesting to see (depending on where you go in the region) winter pruning will be at various stages and this was the case at Bodegas el Monte. Paula insisted we visit her husband at Tabena La Solera in the town. Toni hosted us at Bodegas el Monte on our first ever visit to the bodega so we popped in for a glass on our way back to Montilla.

Dining like a King and Queen at Taberna Bolero

So our last night in Montilla and we had to spend it at Taberna Bolero. Friday night and the place was jumping. Carlos welcomed us on arrival and we had a table in prime position.

While we were contemplating what to choose from the menu, we ordered a bottle of the Bodegas Robles Organic Piedra Luengo Verdejo. We were delighted to see a couple of favourites still on the menu from our last visit which we duly ordered. The beauty of all their starters are they are designed to be shared so we duly obliged.

: Beetroot Salmarejo, smoked sardine and PX caviar

: Artichoke stuffed with oxtail and cream cheese

: Bodegas Robles Piedra Luenga Verdejo

: Bodegas Alvear Fino Capataz

Our mains included a dish Carlos recommended and for us was one of the best seafood dishes we have ever tried, grilled swordfish belly. We also enjoyed the pork tenderloin with Idiazabal cheese, tomotoes and garlic parsley potatos. The food was washed down with the Fino Capataz from Bodegas Alvear.

: Grilled swordfish belly

: Pork tenderloin with Idiazabal cheese

We had no room for dessert but did enjoy a couple of glasses of VRMT organic vermut from Bodegas Robles.

: With Rafy Mármol from Casa Rural Finca Buytrón

: Carlos Garcia from Taberna Bolero

We also co-incidentally met Teresa from Bodegas Perez Barquero and Rafy Mármol from Casa Rural Finca Buytrón in the restaurant.

Once again Carlos and the Taberno Balero team looked after us superbly. The service, food and ambience were fabulous during such a busy service for them.

Our last night in Montilla was truly memorable.