Things have not been easy in the past months, but the grim moments of the pandemic have led to other ocassions where we feel grateful for all the good things in life and make a mental note in capital letters of “no surrender”.

In the early days of January we spent a couple of days in Muxía, the new-new Parador in one of the most beautiful shores of Galicia. We drove to Finisterre cape and looked at the infinite sea blessed by the winter sun. Another happy encounter was with Lagar do Cigur (7,50 euros), a red wine from Adegas Melillas in Valdeorras that took us by suprise during an aperitif. Made with Mencia, Alicante and Merenzao, this unpretentious wine reminds you of a warm embrace that leads to hours of laughter and shared joy.

Back in Madrid, some dear friends suprised us with a secret dinner in a speakeasy bar. I declined the cocktails that were served with the different dishes, much to my advantage. The sommelier then introduced me to Panoramico 2016 (15,90 euros), a Rioja red wine that you will never forget. It comes from vineyards in two very different sides of the Iregua river. The combination of Mediterranean and Atlantic minerals and herbs is amazing. It is a tribute to fun mixes and good decisions to cross the line.