Los Angeles

¡Vinos y Tapas! an Evening in Spain

All Articles by Cathie Sandstrom Smith

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Chapter gathered for an evening in Spain on October 5, 2019 at the home and garden of Vice Commander Janet Hamilton to celebrate and learn about Spanish wines paired with a selection of tapas; those wonderful small, savory appetizers of Spanish cuisine.

Vice Commander Janet Hamilton collaborated with Sommelier Sean van Straatum and Chef Pierangelo Ramponi from Oakmont Country Club. Together they created a tantalizing menu that paired wines from Bodegas Riojanas, S.A., with tapas and the traditional paella. The winery, one of Spain’s most respected, is owned and run by the Frias Artacho family, who have a winemaking tradition going back more than three centuries. Van Straatum introduced each wine as it was served. Watching Sean do what he loves is always a pleasure. He’s knowledgeable and so enthusiastic.

The weather was perfect, and the garden was beautiful. Members and guests were greeted with a Roederer Estate Champagne. We toasted Gentle Lady Debbie Ludford on her birthday with Champagne her daughter had opened with a saber. This seems to be a Ludford talent and tradition. At our 2019 Assemblage, Debbie had volunteered to saber open the Champagne. You’d have thought she’d been doing that for years. The Ludfords brought their family and significant others to join in the celebration. Another member family, the Witts and their mates tipped the balance in favor of the young!

Ludfords sabering the Champagne

It was followed by a spectacular meal of Roasted Rib Eye of Beef, Paella Valenciana, Spanish potatoes with garlic and paprika, and sautéed spinach with pine nuts and dried apricots. The wine, a Bodegas Riojanas “Monte Real” Gran Reserva, Rioja 2010 was the perfect accompaniment.

Empanadas de Manzana provided a sweet finish. These tasty apple turnovers were served with Viña Albina, Blanco Reserva Dulce, Rioja 2001. Janet’s garden in La Cañada is up against the San Gabriel mountains, so starlight ushered us back to our cars after a delightful evening.

Ted Ludford & John Hamilton

Our first course was Pulpo a la Gallega. The Spanish-style octopus with pimiento, cucumber ashes and chorizo was served with Bodegas Riojanas “Monte Real’ Blanco Barrica, Rioja 2017.

Bobby and Patti Brundige with Vice Commander Janet Hamilton

Marcia and Mike Marino with Commander Jim Hamilton

Trevor, Kyle and Randy Witt

Home for the Holidays

A holiday classic song has the line, “There’s never been such a day—in Beverly Hills, LA.” The Los Angeles chapter opened the holiday season on December 1 at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, as is our tradition. (Yes, even Los Angeles has traditions.) Chef David Codney and his staff raise the bar each time. To quote another old song, “Who could ask for anything more?”

We raised our glasses of Champagne, a Taittinger Rosé, while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres that included lamb meatballs on a bed of hummus, slice of scallop with Meyer lemon on fennel and bite-sized asparagus quiches. It was a sublime beginning.

Harpist Ted Nichelson entertained us with a mix of holiday songs and other tunes throughout the dinner which started with wild mushroom soup with parmesan brioche and white truffle Chantilly. A perfectly chilled Marie-Pierre Manciat Pouilly-Fuisse les Petites Bruyeres accompanied it. The next course was a salad of roasted beets and goat cheese, dressed with a cranberry vinaigrette. It was served with Dolin 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills.

Our entrée was herb roasted tenderloin of beef with peppercorn sauce, served with grilled asparagus and buttermilk potato puree. The entrée was accompanied by a very special wine, Hamilton Private Release Cabernet Sauvignon, blended by our own Knight John Hamilton. Dessert was a caramelized French apple tart with vanilla Chantilly crème accompanied by a sauternes.

All the wines served at our holiday event were a gift from the Hamiltons; Commander Jim Hamilton, Vice Commander Janet Hamilton and Knight John Hamilton. Santa came early to Los Angeles this year!