Protesting, followed by feasting at Barrafina: Urbina Selección Crianza Rioja 1999

The wondrous Urbina Seleccion 1999, Barrafina, exterior

The Morning Claret is not an anarchist or a public sector worker, but cannot stand by and see this government wreak vandalism on every area of our society still standing. Therefore I marched through the streets of central London for several hours on Saturday March 26th, enjoying a good natured and peaceful protest with some 400,000 others. Having reached Hyde Park after the rally had finished, four of us decided to head back into town to find some refreshment. Barrafina, a newish tapas bar on Frith Street, was suggested as a venue.

Barrafina is a slice of Barcelona, exported to Soho and then perfected to a level not often found in Spain, let alone here. The interior is buzzing, but with only 23 stools around a counter there's a usually a long wait for a seat. We opted to sit outside, just about bearable on a none-too-warm March day. A quick look at the wine list revealed a small but perfectly formed selection of Spain's key wine r…