How to lose speed, this is what summer teaches me every time I submerge myself in the lazy days of August. When the season is over, I try to live up the rest of the year to the ideal of more slow walking and fewer days moving at the speed of sound.

Some very good lunches have helped me in this transition away from a very busy month of July. In Madrid, I went a couple of times to El Brutalista for a wonderful discovery of creative and honest dishes, from sardines and mussels to fried quail. Pablo López, who is not only a great cook but has an eye for particular wines, suggested a Ribera del Duero, “Los Cantos” 2021, from Finca Torremilanos (14 euros). This is wine that seduces you with its freshness and great balance, made with Tempranillo and a touch of Merlot grapes. Another day, we tried Palo Blanco, a fantastic white by Envinate in Tenerife, Canary Islands (29,80 euros). Made with old listan grapes, with a low alcohol graduation (11.5º), this wine is perfect for a long conversation over a great meal.

In Coruña, I tried another new-new restaurant, Pedra Furada, next to the windy Riazor beach, where they serve the perfect combination of Galician local produce interpreted every day by Victor Fernández. I drank a Gómez Cruzado crianza 2020 (10,50 euros), a classic red Rioja from Haro that connects that past with the future, just like many young Galician chefs do.

Summer is not over and I look forward to new slow-moving adventures in Mallorca. We shall not cease from exploration.