Brian's Spain Domain – Page 2 – Podcasts and Writings by Brian Murdock

Let’s Open a Bottle 7: Sidra, Spain’s Cider

As Christmastime winds down, there is just one more holiday left before it’s time to take down the holly and drop a few pounds after weeks of celebrating. The Three Kings’ Day, January 6th, is the day for gift-giving and eating roscón cake and toasting with sparkling apple cider, known as sidra. Sidra is inextricably linked to the region of Asturias, where it is a deeply-rooted part of the region’s gastronomy. And you’ll find much the same at any Asturian restaurant you encounter no matter where it is. Learn more about this popular drink and, especially, the zanny way it’s served. Enjoy!

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Spanish History 101, Ep. 21: The 13th Century

If you thought the situation in Spain would getter any easier to follow, think again!!! It continues to to be murky as we are often not talking about just one kingdom, but many at the same time. The different kingdoms and regions progress. Of them all, Castile and Aragon appear to be coming out on top. Muslim Spain, Al Andalus, has now been pushed back to the south, and culture in the Christian kingdoms is on the rise. Literature, music and universities appear! Listen and enjoy!

FAMOUS SPANISH XMAS TRADITIONS: The Belén (Nativity Scene)

This is not just an image of 18th Century Spain, but rather a section of a nativity scene sculpted and designed in the Neapolitan barroque style. Few things at this time of year are as widely displayed as the nativity scene, known mainly as a “belén”, which is the Spanish word for “Bethlehem”. You can come across them just about everywhere in the country (in all sizes, shapes, numbers and styles) and many are major tourist attractions. Today we are going to learn a little about the history of the nativity scene in Spain and include some ideas on where to see them. Enjoy!

LET’S OPEN A BOTTLE (6): Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine

The holiday season is the peak moment of the year for sparkling wine as people toast with popular sparkling wines like champagne, prosecco and, naturally, Spain’s very own “cava”. Produced mostly in the region of Catalonia, not far from Barcelona, it is also made in other parts of Spain, and the range is amazing. In this episode, we’re going to learn a little about sparkling wine in general, and then key in on the fantastic world of cava. Enjoy!

December 6: Spain’s Constitution Day

December 6th is a holiday in Spain and it commemorates the referendum in 1978 when millions of Spaniards went to the polls to vote in favor of the new constitution, ushering in a new era of democracy for Spain after nearly 40 years of dictatorship. It’s a landmark in contemporary Spanish history, but the road leading to its approval was no cake-walk. Listen and learn a little about the history of Spain and its different constitutions. Enjoy!

SPANISH HISTORY 101, EP. 20: 12th Century and the Plot Thickens

Alfonso I el Batallador – King of Aragon

The 12th Century and Spain is still a land of half a dozen kingdoms vying for control and a score of Muslim principalities known as taifas. Throw in an invasion or two by the Moors and what you have is unimaginable instability. Little by little, the Muslims are beginning to lose their grip on Al Andalus, but it is ever so slow. Castile is on the rise, Aragon has come of age, and even Portugal has come out and become its own kingdom. Listen and learn more. Enjoy!

Let’s Open a Bottle (5): Wines from Madrid

Store featuring wines from Madrid in the Mercado de las Ventas

It may seem counterintuitive to think that the region of Madrid, with its massive capital and built-up bedroom communities, would in anyway be a place for bodegas to make wine, but the reality is quite the opposite. Wine-producing has been going on here for centuries, and after overcoming a rough streak in the middle of the 20th Century, the winemakers of D.O. Vinos de Madrid are enjoying a renaissance. Listen and enjoy!

The Almudena: Why is Nov. 9th a holiday in Madrid?

November 9th is a holiday in Madrid and it’s in honor of the Virgin Mary of the Almudena, one of the two patrons of the city. It’s a very old tradition and a very old figure in the history of the city. Listen and learn where we get the name from and some of things that people do on this day. Enjoy!

The Zugarramurdi Witch Trials: Spain’s Salem

1609 marked the beginning of the famous witch trials in the city of Logroño. Many of the accused were from a small town of Navarra known as Zugarramurdi. They are also known as the Basque Witch Trials. Unlike other countries in the north of Europe or in colonial America, witchcraft was viewed with skepticism in Spain and there were relatively few cases. But this was the big one. Ironically, it would be a thorough investigation led by a member of the Spanish Inquisition that would deem the witch hunt absurd and bring an end to it. Listen and learn more. Enjoy!

SPANISH HISTORY 101, EP. 19: The 11th Century and the Madness Goes On

It’s the 11th Century and the situation in the Iberian Peninsula is as chaotic and uncertain as ever. Power struggles, civil wars, fratricide, invasions; it seems as if nothing is under control. Not for anyone. But it makes for some pretty exciting, albeit, confusing history. Listen and learn more. Enjoy!