Montecillo 2007 Crianza and the America’s Disaster Relief Tamale Truck

Not only do I have a love of wine, I have a love of tamales. Good tamales that is, which are for some reason hard to come by in Tampa. A recent trip to the Seminole Heights Sunday Market introduced me to a rather odd combination. Helping the America’s Disaster Relief fund and the most amazing tamales I’ve ever tasted. This past Friday I ventured downtown and fought my way through the one-way streets, metered parking and hunted down the “tamale truck” at the Tampa Downtown Friday market. Once I had my target in sight, I attacked. Taking home four pork tamales, I devoured one before I even reached my car. A second tamale I paired later that night with a recent wine sample of Montecillo 2007 Crianza by Bodegas Montecillo. The Tempranillo and tamale pairing was truly divine.

The wine has classic Tempranillo aromas of spice and wood. Flavors are full of cherries with an abundance of acidity and a hint of sugar that I think rounds out the flavors. Finish is dry but doesn’t leave my mouth puckering and a need to suck down a glass of water like so many other Tempranillos. The price is right at just $12 and can be found nationwide.

So what’s so great about these tamales you ask…everything! The tamale is cooked in banana leaves making it moist and flavorful. The filling, your choice of pork or vegetable, is amazing. No tiny little strip of filling here, it’s the “Panama Canal” of filling! The other good thing, you’re doing something good for others. Proceeds of the $5 tamales go to the non-profit organization, America’s Disaster Relief.

Another thing you can do to help, click Like on the America’s Disaster Relief Facebook Page. Each click brings them closer to receiving important grants that allow the organization to continue helping others. Keep in mind all the terrible weather we’ve seen across the US in the past few weeks, it could be your friends, family or even you they help out next.

If you live or work in the downtown area and would like to see the Tampa Downtown Market be a year round event, click on this link and then click Market Survey and let your voice be heard. Even if you don’t live or work in the area, play hooky, take a long lunch, and claim you got lost on the way back to the office. Whatever the excuse you use, the tamales and the market are worth it.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.
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