Cellar Tastings

Rice puddings are typical all throughout the Mediterranean. In Morocco, the rice pudding is made with almonds and aromatised with orange blossom water. In Portugal, the dessert (in Portuguese, called “Arroz Doce”) is made with lemon and cinnamon and indeed in Spain, this dessert recipe is made with rice, milk, lemon and cinnamon. Arroz con Leche is probably the most typical Spanish dessert, literally found everywhere from the misty green hills of North-western Galicia, to the arid, Moorish south. It is rather heavy, so more of a winter or autumn dessert than a summer one, and it is one of those dishes that you could call “comfort food”. Arroz con Leche can be paired with various Spanish dessert wines, either sweet red wines from Catalonia (such as Albet I Noya’s “Dolç d’Adria”, Moscatel’s from Alicante (like Enrique Mendoza’s “Moscatel de Marina” or dessert wines from Malaga.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ liter Milk
• 200 grams of short round Arborio rice (or paella rice/risotto rice)
• 100 grams of Sugar (white or brown, depending on preference)
• 250 ml Water
• ¼ teaspoon of Salt
• Grated Zest of one Lemon
• Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Cinnamon Stick (for Boiling)
• Cinnamon Sticks (for Garnish)

Preparation

Place the water, rice, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, salt and sugar in a saucepan or pot and bring to a boil. When boiling, lower heat, cover and let simmer until the water is nearly all absorbed (keep checking every minute, so as not to burn). Add the milk when most of the water has absorbed and continue cooking until the rice is extra tender and “bloated”. Stir and the texture should be creamy. Add a splash more milk if necessary (whole fat). Remove the cinnamon stick. Serve the Arroz con Leche warm (or chilled), and garnish with cinnamon powder on top and cinnamon sticks on the side. This dessert is delicious with Spanish dessert wines.

Try this dish with: Molino Real Mountain Wine, Telmo Rodriguez, Malaga, Spain

One of the most interesting dessert wines available in Spain currently, this unctuous and luscious wine is made by Spain’s “George Clooney” of wine, the very talented Telmo Rodriguez (also responsible for such wines as Gazur, Dehesa de Gago, Baso, Altos de Lanzaga, Valderiz,, Alma, Viña de Ama and of course, Molino Real). Telmo Rodriguez is Spain’s closest winemaker (apart form Alvaro Palacios) to be considered a “flying winemaker” as he travels up and down to the country, using his expertise in various appellations. Molino Real is made in the appellation of Malaga, with the “Muscat of Azarquia” varietal. At only 12.5%, it is easily quaffable. It is quite rare, and makes an excellent gift for serious wine lovers. On the nose, the bouquet is quite grapey with clear aromas of orange peels and marmalade. On the palate, the wine is racy with refreshing acidity and great mouth feel. Absolutely delicious, ask your local wine merchant to find you a bottle of this!