What’s happened to the caña?

Spain’s iconic mini glass of beer, the caña, an outright classic when out and about for tapas, has become nearly an endangered species. Is it possible? Reports assure it is. What’s the cause behind this cultural crisis? Listen and find out. Enjoy!

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SPANISH HISTORY 101, EP. 16: The Emirate of Cordoba

In today’s episode we take a look at the first stage of the Muslim occupation of Spain. After several decades of confusion, Al Andalus becomes the Emirate of Cordoba, and even though division and infighting continue to hinder progress, the territory slowly becomes more organized and Cordoba turns into a major cultural center in Europe. Enjoy!

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SPANISH WINE: An ongoing revolution

Ribera Vineyards in Spain - SmoothRed
PHOTO: SMOOTHRED

Years ago I wrote two books about Spanish wine and its major tranformation since the 1970s. That was twenty years ago and I can assure you that the revolution is still going on and it’s quite possibly more dynamic than ever. This is a new series by Brian’s Spain Domain. We want to share its history, its regions its diversity, because by learning about Spanish wine, in many ways we learn about the wonderful richness and diversity of its culture, of its many cultures. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon. Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

FIESTAS IN SPAIN: The mid-August fiestas

It’s a long weekend here in Spain and that’s because August 15th is a public holiday. It’s also when the most fiestas are celebrated in the entire year. Some 1,200 parties will energize nightlife throughout the country. From big cities like Madrid to the tiniest hamlet, music and revelry (as well as a religious act or two) are the order of the day. Most mark the Feast of the Assumption, but in today’s podcast we’ll pay special attention to a lesser known figure, San Roque, or St. Roch, whose feast day is August 16th. Enjoy!

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Operación Salida: Departure Day

Historia de unas vacaciones: cómo se logró el hito que revolucionó la vida  laboral | Sociedad
PHOTO: EXPANSION

Every year in early August the Spanish take flight from the cities and head for the coast or the mountains or anywhere that takes their minds off their routine lives and the heat. Their aim: summer vacation. And it usually kicks off with “Operación Salida”, or Departure Day. Before the journey was a nightmare, long, treacherous and sometmes deadly. Nowadays, the way it’s done is a lot different, but tradition is tradition, and the roads continue to fill up! Listen and learn more! 

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon. Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain