February 2023 – Brian's Spain Domain

Death of a King, birth of a dynasty and a Spanish expression

In 1369, King Pedro I came face-to-face with his archrival, his stepbrother Enrique, and the two gambled the future of Spain on the outcome of a duel fought with daggers. The image you see apparently depicts the moment of truth. The winner would go on to found one of Spain’s most famous royal dynasties and one of the participants in the clash, Bertrand du Gueslin, would coin a phrase that’s still used in Spanish today. Listen and learn more.

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SPANISH HISTORY 101, EP 22: The 14th Century

Castile and Aragon are both rising to the top as the most powerful and most successful kingdoms in Spain (before it was called Spain). But it’s a tough century for everyone with the Bubonic Plague and the Hundred Years’ War ravaging Europe. To make matters worse, a civil war and endless fights for succession. Nothing is ever easy here, but it makes for some pretty fascinating history. Listen and enjoy!

Let’s Open a Bottle: D.O.Ca. Rioja (Combining the old and the new)

This is the grandaddy of them all in terms of prestige and status as the premier wine region of Spain, at least in a modern sense. It has been the most visible face in the winemaking sector of this country since the 19th century, which certainly says a lot considering Spain boasts scores of wine regions. There’s so much wine, so many legends, it’s hard too know where to start! This is just a brief overview, but it should help you learn a little more about these amazing things they do in Rioja. Listen and enjoy!