Rioja at Mercado Little Spain Watch Party

Oyster Gilda

Briny oyster on ice with anchovy, green olive, and pickled pepper on a skewer — a Basque classic built on salt and acidity. The Brut’s bubbles and citrus snap cut clean through the brine and reset the palate for the next sip.

Pairs with

Sparkling · Rioja Alta

Carlos Serres Brut

Anchoas

Premium Spanish anchovies slow-cured in sea salt and finished with a drizzle of olive oil — silky, rich, and intensely savory. Selvanevada’s creamy texture and bright citrus match the fat of the fish while its gentle oak lifts the salt.

Pairs with

White · Rioja Alavesa

Villota “Selvanevada” Blanco

Empanadillas de Bonito

Crispy half-moon pastries filled with flaky Cantabrian tuna and a savory herb mixture — delicate but genuinely full of flavor. The Rosé’s fresh berry notes and hint of anise complement the tuna without ever crowding it out.

Pairs with

Rosé · Rioja Alta

Sierra Cantabria Rosé

Carrilleras de Cerdo

Slow-braised Iberian pork cheeks, meltingly tender in a rich red wine sauce — deep, fatty, and built for a serious red. Muga’s firm tannins cut right through the richness while its dark plum and cocoa notes echo the braising sauce.

Pairs with

Red · Rioja Alta

Bodegas Muga Reserva

Txuleburger

A Basque-inspired burger built on the bold, smoky flavors of the txuletón — Spain’s legendary bone-in ribeye. Artuke’s bright cherry fruit and soft tannins ride alongside the beef without fighting it; best served with a slight chill.

Pairs with

Red · Rioja Alavesa

Artuke Joven

Tabla de Embutidos

Spain’s finest cured meats — chorizo, lomo, salchichón — with aged cheeses and all the right accompaniments. La Montesa’s silky Garnacha carries just enough red fruit and easy elegance to let every meat on the board speak.

Pairs with

Red · Rioja Oriental

Palacios Remondo “La Montesa”

Croquetas de Jamón

Crispy golden fritters with a molten béchamel core packed with shredded jamón ibérico — rich, creamy, unapologetically indulgent. Montecillo’s bold dark fruit and firm tannins cut the fat while its toffee notes mirror the jamón.

Pairs with

Red · Rioja Alta

Bodegas Montecillo Limited Edition

Flauta de Pincho Moruno

A crispy flauta loaded with spiced pork marinated in cumin, paprika, and garlic — complex, aromatic, and deeply savory. Ardanza’s vanilla and cedar from American oak echo the spice rub while its dried fruit plays off the Moorish marinade.

Pairs with

Red · Rioja Alta

La Rioja Alta “Viña Ardanza” Reserva

Gilda “Rita Hayworth”

The original Basque pintxo — olive, anchovy, and guindilla pepper on a skewer, salty, spicy, and completely unapologetic. Monopole’s crisp, dry Viura is the ideal reset: clean acidity and a light body that lets every bold bite speak.

Pairs with

White · Rioja Alta

CVNE “Monopole” Blanco Seco