Destination: Northeast – New York

When Spain’s Finest Grapes Met the Big Apple

While sirens and honking cars are a big part of New York’s soundtrack, we found solace on a sunny rooftop in the middle of the city. A briny brunch among the likes of historic art deco skyscrapers, paired with some of New York’s most beloved oysters, was a perfect starter for the day ahead.

These plump ocean delicacies called for not one, but three Rioja wines to complement them. Each variety revealed entirely new dimensions that made us love oysters even more. The first pairing revealed layers of complexity, the second brought harmony in each sip, and the last was fruit-forward in all the right places.

With plenty of greenery to go around, scoping out the best spot in the park for a pizza picnic was surprisingly effortless, and making the most of the slices we picked was even easier. After laying our picnic blanket under a perfectly shaded tree, right beside a glistening pond, it was time to dig in.

Whether it was the Margherita, pepperoni, or sausage and jalapeño, each wine pairing made every slice feel complete. The gorgeous weather, the sounds of bike bells, scurrying squirrels, and the turtles we saw in the pond were toppings that made our picnic even better.

A quick rain shower during a New York summer doesn’t come as a surprise, but ending our picnic with perfect timing certainly did. After spending a little time in good company laughing, catching up, and planning our next hangout, our next move was set in stone by the time the clouds cleared.

Finishing out the day was a piece of cake—of the cheese variety. Thankfully, we saved enough room to enjoy three unforgettable cheesecake pairings. It turns out that when you’re enjoying banana, cherry, or salted-caramel cheesecake, there’s only one more layer to add: Spain’s finest wines.

But the expression “Only in New York” doesn’t apply to these pairings. You can easily recreate them yourself at home. Enjoy!