Orce Serrano Hams in Australia

A word from our friends down under ~ 'Artesano'

For those of you living in Australia or if you have family or friends living there, you can now conveniently buy Orce Serrano products DownUnder. We featured Artesano de España back in our April news and events but are excited to announce the launch of their new e-commerce site at artesano.com.au perfectly timed for the coming festive season. 

Artesano de España have an exclusive range of Orce Serrano Hams products including authentic ceramic cookware and tableware from our Terracotta, Gaudix and Granada ranges.

They are based just North of Sydney and sell our products via their website. Artesano also maintain a regular presence at some of Sydney’s popular village and organic food markets so that their potential customers “can get to see an feel the products and basically fall in love with them” says Artesano’s creator Sarah Beard. You can keep track of where and when Artesano will be selling their wares by signing up to there newsletter at artesano.com.au or via their blog at artesanofromspain

Here at Orce Serrano Hams we get a lot of enquiries from DownUnder and according to Artesano’s Sarah Beard, “Spanish Tapas are “In” and they’re “Hot”. Tapas bars and Spanish restaurants are opening up in all the popular restaurant areas around Australia. Australians love tapas and the tapas style of eating is perfectly suited to their way of life and climate”. Gayle and I are really excited that we can now offer you a convenient way to buy our authentic Spanish artisan products in Australia.

Beard writes “We are currently importing a selection of Orce Serrano Hams, Spanish homewares for the kitchen and table, typically what we would call our "tapas range”. Traditional terracotta tapas dishes (cazuelas) for cooking and serving as well as Orce Serrano’s stunning artisan range of tableware and serving dishes from artist, Juan Manuels Guadix studio, Andalucia. We have also recently expanded our product line to include the highly sought after Granada range. With the festive season upon us these unique and very attractive pieces look stunning on any summer table. In addition we are increasing our range of sizes in the cazuelas as well as introducing the classic deep cazuela and the terracotta tapas trays. So there is a whole range of gorgeous authentic Spanish homewares to choose from for entertaining over the festive summer season. The quality and beauty of Orce Serrano Hams products make unique and classic gift ideas - all the way from Spain”.

Artesano de España plan to expand their product line to include many more of our unique products including our artisan olive wood products, much more of our decorative ceramics from the Jaen and Granada ranges, as well as products from our new Spanish garden & outdoor range, including Spanish mosaic tiles and house numbers.

 “At Artesano our goal is to provide our customers with unique products sourced from local artisans in Spain. The kinds of products that become the talk of the table, that catch the eye, that have a story and which all have a unique quality to them. Iain and Gayle at Orce Serrano Hams are enabling us to do this.  The quality and beauty of their product range is exceptional and we are very excited about bringing much more of  Orce Serrano Hams extensive range of authentic Spanish products bring an traditional Spanish experience that can be enjoyed in a contemporary Australian setting”

Thank you so much Iain and Gayle from Artesano de España and Australian lovers of authentic Spanish artisan products.

Pairing Wine with Tapas

If you have ever spent much time browsing through store areas such as the Marks & Spencer wine section, you have probably noticed that the selections can be a bit difficult to look through if you don’t have a specific goal in mind. Such an extensive wine collection exposes you not only to different types of wine, but to wines from different regions all over the world, and from different years. It’s almost impossible to make any sort of strategic decision beyond a guess when choosing what you want. This is why a lot of people prefer to buy wines specifically for certain dishes. 


This particular article will look into which wines pair well with the popular Spanish dish (or dishes) known as tapas. It is quite difficult to accurately define tapas, but if you have never been to Spain or eaten in an authentic Spanish restaurant, the best way to put it is that “tapas” refers to a range of fine appetizers that can be put together to form a meal. For some, tapas are an acquired taste, as they generally involve very strong flavours. So – which wines do people tend to enjoy with these tasty Spanish dishes? 

Many seem to think that the best possible wine to pair with a tapas dish is a Spanish white Rioja. The Rioja, or at least the white Rioja wine, is generally thought of as crisp, with a slight citrus taste to it. It seems that people enjoy this sort of sharp, fruity taste alongside the powerful flavours associated with most tapas. Similarly, some people seem to prefer Sherry or Rosé, which also provide something of a crisp, fruity taste with a bit of a dry feeling. Dryness seems to be a priority in pairing wine with tapas, simply because more delicate wines will not always stand up to some of the stronger flavours you can find in tapas (from ingredients such as olives and some cheeses). 


Pairing wine with food in a satisfying manner is not an easy task. Generally, it takes a practiced palate to understand which flavours will work best with others. In fact, particularly for a food as unique as tapas, which can include any number of different ingredients and tastes, it can be quite difficult to find a suitable wine. However, if this is indeed your task, there is plenty of information online, including recommendations from experts, that should help you to make more specific decisions.

Images © Orce Serrano Hams

MyCityCuisine.org, a Wiki project dedicated to helping answer the question 'What Should I Order?', is currently looking for contributors!! The project's goal is to help travelers discover local foods from all over the world. Food is an integral part of the local culture so naturally tasting local food is high on most traveler's to-do list. However until now there has been no single comprehensive source for this information. The MyCityCuisine project aims to fill this void.

You can contribute to this project in the following ways:

• Write a new dish description
• Expand an existing dish description
• Correct mistakes in an existing dish description
• Suggest a new dish to be included
• Upload a new dish photo

This site is for those interested in tasting local food, not for someone looking to cook it at home, so recipes aren't required. Visit MyCityCuisine.org to add a dish from your city!!

8 Things You Didn't Know About Tapas!

This guest post was contributed by London Food PR agency Wild Card

In Spain it is a very popular tradition to go out for tapas. It is very important to note that there is no specific type of food that makes up tapas- rather the term ‘tapas’ refers to the way the food is prepared and eaten. Here are few facts about tapas that you probably didn’t know!

They Are Not an Appetizer

It is not a hard-fast rule that tapas are eaten before the main course. Instead, they can be enjoyed at any point during the meal at any time of day. It is simply a smaller portion of food; however it is not multiple smaller dishes of food served at once as a full meal. Tapas are both served cold and hot.

Tapas Originally Covered Drinks

Before the term ‘tapas’ was widely spread because of tourism a piece of cheese or sometimes ham was served over a glass of wine. There is no concrete answer as to why this practice was started, however it is debated that it was one of three reasons- to keep flies from entering the drink, to mask the smell of bad wine, or to prevent the wind from sloshing the drink out of the cup.

Tapas Help Establish Friendship

Because people eating tapas are less immersed in their meal due to its smaller portion they are more likely to focus on socializing. In Spain, it is a common practice for friends and family to go out just for tapas and nothing else.

Tapas Is Not a Specific Food

There are thousands of different varieties of tapas available to order. As long as it is about a quarter of the original sized meal it is considered tapas. They can vary from small chunks of steak all the way to shrimp and meatballs.

The More Drinks the Bigger the Tapas

At many bars in Spain it is a very common practice to serve a larger portion of tapas to customers who purchase more drinks. This of course has its limit otherwise the owner would go broke; however it’s almost always worth sticking around to see what you can get next.

They Doesn’t Stay the Same

Even if you are planning on eating at the same bar or restaurant the entire time you may get different tapas served each time around. Some establishments do not adhere to this, but many do. The easiest way to tell ahead of time is to observe what other patrons are receiving.

Tapas Aren’t Exclusive to Spain

Even though tapas originated from Spanish culture they are very popular in the United States. With a little bit of research it is very easy to find tapas bars to go eat at. Just like in Spain each bar has its own unique tapas.

Tapas Aren’t Served Alone

Tapas will always be served with a drink of some sort- generally wine or cocktails. For this reason tapas are generally very spice-oriented so be prepared for a kick! If you are unable to consume higher amounts of salt or other certain spices you should ask for ones that are not as heavily spiced.

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A journey through time and taste: the Paradores of Spain

If you want to live in luxury for a time when you next visit Spain, then consider staying in one of the incredible Paradores that are scattered across the country. These buildings are often centuries old structures, with incredible histories and even better views. The many Paradores hotels offer a unique and exquisite dining experience, bringing together the highlights of Spain's culinary offerings and historic culture. Many of them offer themed cooking courses for guests eager to get hands on with fish & seafood, local cheeses, vegetables and game.

Parador de Ronda, Ronda
The Parador de Ronda was previously the Casa Consistorial, which means Town Hall, in Ronda in Andalusia. There are 78 rooms in this historic Parador, which holds a four-star rating. It is furnished in a contemporary style, with large sofas and chairs by the fire. The Caldereta de Chivo con Chantarelas y Castanas del Valle del Genal, or Kid Casserole with mushrooms, paprika and wine is just one of the tasty dishes served in the dining room.

Parador de Gredos, Sierra de Gredos
This beautiful Parador has been around since 1928, with pristine waters nearby that are lined with picturesque rock formations and accented by a pine forest. You can see the Piedrahita and Béjar Sierras from the hotel as well as the Gredos Massif and it overlooks the Valle del Tormes. The kitchen uses local vegetables and high quality meat for stews and soups that are some of the best in the world. English, French and Spanish are spoken there.

Parador de Cardona, Cardona
You'll think you are on the set of a big budget Hollywood movie set in the middle ages when you visit the Parador de Cardona. This hotel is a huge castle in Catalonia that is spread out over a hill and can be seen from quite a distance away. This hotel features a four star rating and is a hotspot for couples and newly-weds. The Parador de Cardona features rural cuisine such as mushrooms from the nearby forest, meat plates and Catalonian sausage.

Parador de Granada, Granada
The hotel Parador de Granada is located inside a moorish fortification called the Alhambra, a building with more historical significant than most in Spain. This four star paradise palace allows customers to experience the beauty of Alhambra, with its bell towers and thick walls and furniture that compliment the surroundings perfectly. The hotel serves dishes such as the Sacromonte omelet, biscuit rolls called piononos de Santa Fe and gazpacho andaluz.

Parador de Vielha, Vielha
Another four star resort that you will find amazing is the Parador de Vielha located in the Vall d'Aran valley. This Parador is very high up and offers incredible views of the valley with clean and elegant décor that is sure to impress any vacationer. The resort's restaurant offers world class meals, and staff think presentation as just as important as taste – typical dishes include meat rolled in cabbage leaves and trout stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables.

Guest post by Escapio.com – browse and book over 4000 unique luxury and boutique hotels in Spain and beyond.


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Five Beautiful Vineyards You Can Visit in Spain

Guest post contributed by Sauce PR for Spanish tapas restaurant and bar Barrafina, located in the heart of London’s West End.

1. Scala Dei, Priorat

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Scala Dei literally means "staircase to God" and this beautiful vineyard was founded by Carthusian monks in 1163. Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, it is nestled in an ancient village above which soars the Monstant mountain, known as the "holy mountain" and next door is a monastery in ruins. Wine maker Jordi Vidal invites guests to sample the many fine "black wines" produced at his vineyard and explore his micro boutique wine making facilities.

2. Codorniu Winery

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Since 1551, the Codornui Winery has been producing sparkling wines using the traditional methods of fermenting champagnes in the bottle which is referred to as cava. Today, the winery uses modern equipment but does not change their age old production methods. Guests are welcome to spend the day strolling through the fabulous gardens, exploring the museum on the grounds and sampling their excellent vintages at the visitors center. Reservations must be made in advance and they are closed on holidays.

3. Txakoli Vineyards

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Located in the foothills overlooking the Basque coast, Txakoli is famous for producing some of the world's most intriguing novelty wines. The beautiful winery is housed in a charming "Caserio," a traditional Basque farmhouse complex, amid lush hills above the seaside city of Zarautz. Though officially founded in 1992, the family has been making their speciality wines for generations, and hope to carry on the family tradition.

4. Vega Sicilia

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Located in Northern Spain in the Ribera del Duero region, this Spanish winery was founded in 1163, making it the oldest winery in Priorat. Vega Sicilia has been run for generations by the Primum Vini family and produces some of the most expensive wines using the old style of wine making. Some of their best wines, like Unico, take up to 50 years to mature are coveted by the likes of the British royal family.

5. Martúe Winery

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Explore the land of Don Quioxte when you visit the modern Martue Winery in the La Mancha region of Spain where the winery is housed in a beautiful modern replica of the classic hacienda style. The vineyards stretch out all around the estate because this is one of the few Spanish wineries that uses the single vineyard strategy of wine growing. The wines, though excellent, are made to satisfy the mid range price market. The comfortable tasting room is a wonderful place to relax and sample the delicious vintages made by the young, but promising, Castilian team.


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