Disclosure: Even those not interested in football or the Champions League final, which airs this Saturday (1.6, 22:00), are invited to continue reading. This text is alcohol-only.
The Champions League final this year is between Spain's Real Madrid and Germany's Borussia Dortmund, and it seems to interest only their die-hard fans. I'm not sure if it's the ongoing conflict that has made us all a bit numb or just the general fatigue from football.
Either way, a gathering of friends will take place for the final, but it seems most of what we'll do is drink and lament the current situation.
Unlike events like the World Cup or the Euro (coming in two weeks), which feature national teams, it's a bit harder to create an alcoholic menu that references cities.
Since creativity is expected of me, I tried to put together a drink menu that aligns with what is drunk in Madrid and Dortmund. It should suit both wine and beer drinkers and also support the Israeli industry. Because if we never reach the Champions League final, at least we’ll have alcoholic representation.
Wine from Spain (and the Golan Heights)
We'll start with Madrid, perhaps one of my favorite cities in the world from a culinary, alcoholic, and human perspective. I set aside my recent feelings towards the Spanish and focus on the main point: they have excellent wine.
Ribera del Duero is one of Spain's most interesting wine regions, located a short drive from Madrid. One of the common varieties in the area is Tempranillo, the royal variety of Spain that Rioja lovers will surely know. I admit it took me some time to love it, but like any long-lasting relationship, sometimes things need to start slowly.
There are many Spanish wines from this region, but to support the local industry these days, I found a Tempranillo from the Gamla series of the Golan Heights Winery, which immediately made it onto the menu.
Beer from Germany (and Emek Hefer)
On the beer front, since it is a football night, and because San Miguel Market in Madrid is so enjoyable, I also went for a six-pack of San Miguel, which is delicious in any situation. For the Israeli reinforcements, I always go with Alexander Brewery beers, blonde or wheat, depending on the preferences of those present.
Dortmund, for those who don’t know, is not only the football capital of Germany (it has the most beautiful stadium in the world, I guarantee) but also the beer capital of the region, and for genre enthusiasts, it’s simply paradise.
I’m not a seasoned beer drinker, and a six-pack of Krombacher Pils on the table is enough for me. A German beer that’s always fun to drink.
To ensure a super classic German pairing that suits my palate, I organized the most worth-knowing imported Riesling for this summer: ‘Urban Riesling’ by Nik Weis.
A classic German Riesling, semi-dry, which for me can replace my to-go water bottle until the end of August.