The El Grifo Museum hosted, on the morning of this Wednesday, the presentation of the "Saramago 100" wine and the signing of Pilar del Río's new book, "The Intuition of the Island: José Saramago's Days in Lanzarote".
El Grifo developed this wine for two years with the idea of "thanking Saramago for his personality of great importance and generosity." The co-owner of the winery, Fermín Otamendi, has stated that he is happily reliving "the same sensation as in the centenary of César Manrique", for which "an exclusive wine" was also made. "El Grifo feels especially indebted to José Saramago," added the co-owner, specifically, "for sponsoring the 225th anniversary of the winery and writing the prologue to the book Traditional Cooperage and Wines of the Canary Islands, by Juan José Otamendi."
From the winery they explain that "Saramago 100" is an "exclusive" wine that comes from a syrah grape harvest. This category of vine is what gives this drink a clean and bright appearance. In addition, it gives the reference an aroma of ripe fruit reminiscent of quince with pleasant balsamic notes. Its complex and enveloping flavor with an elegant and mature tannin is the perfect combination that makes its tasting a pleasure to the palate.
For her part, Pilar del Río shared her gratitude for the commemoration and the warm welcome that José Saramago always received at El Grifo. Likewise, to highlight the aforementioned and enhance the culture of wine, she pointed out that "the island of Lanzarote is not large, but it is deep. Deep in its presentation, and deep in its way of understanding values.”
"The Intuition of the Island: José Saramago's Days in Lanzarote" is a book with its own personality, where its author constructs and remembers the trajectory of the Nobel Prize winner through the lands of fire that welcomed his inspiration and work of undoubted vitality.
Fernando Gómez Aguilera, director of the César Manrique Foundation and author of the prologue to Pilar del Río's book, highlighted that "culture, if it is not generous, is not culture", referring to Pilar's hospitality and generosity for her work. In addition, he stated that his story nourishes the reader so much that he "can almost drink it."
After the presentation and book signing, attendees enjoyed an enogastronomic moment in which they were able to taste the distinctive wine that is currently on sale at El Grifo and through its website clubelgrifo.com. Without a doubt, this meeting has been an opportunity for literature lovers, and to raise a toast in the name of Saramago and his legacy.
