To enjoy with your friends or family, these delicious appetizers will give a special touch to the last days of the year. Here we share their recipes but also we recommend to you some wines to pair with.

Serrano Ham Crostini

Also known as tostas, this simple but tasty snack is very easy to make. They are slices of artisan bread (sourdough would be ideal), toasted, with a few drops of virgin olive oil and then slices of Serrano ham. Besides, steam some asparagus and serve them on top for a fresh contrast. This combination of flavours pairs perfectly with a glass of Marques de Casa Concha Rosé. Enjoy!

Seared scallops with lemon purée

This delicate shellfish is ideal to surprise those who love seafood, and this French recipe is an exquisite way to prepare them. Clean the scallops and remove their coral. Put a knob of butter in a very hot skillet and place the scallops flat side down, cooking them for 3 to 4 minutes. This way they will not overcook and will retain their natural sweetness. Season with salt and pepper. Serve them with purée: cook peeled potatoes in salted water and lemon peel. When you can easily pierce them with a knife, remove them from the water and mash them without the lemon. Add (lots of) butter and salt to taste. In a scallop shell, put a tablespoon of purée and two scallops. Enjoy with a glass of Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Chardonnay. A luxury.

Smoked mackerel pâté

Another very simple recipe that surprises with its result is the mackerel pâté. You only need a couple of smoked mackerel fillets (if it comes in oil, make sure you discard it completely), 1 pot of creme fraiche (you can substitute with cream cheese or mascarpone), lemon juice and a teaspoon of horseradish paste (or wasabi). In a food processor add the skinless fish and all the ingredients. Rectify the salt and, if you want, add a little bit of mustard. When you achieve the desired consistency and flavour, serve it with toasts or crackers. And of course, enhance the experience with a glass of Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec. Yes! Believe it or not, this fishy snack is perfect with a glass of red wine.

Mushroom tartlets

This recipe from Marta Stewart promises to be a tasty and quick vegetarian appetizer. You only need 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, olive oil, a finely chopped shallot, sliced mushrooms, ¾ cup of grated Gruyere cheese, fresh thyme, salt and pepper. Cut six 7-cm dough rounds and leave them in the fridge. Meanwhile, in a pan with olive oil, sauté the mushrooms, shallots and thyme until golden brown. Then, divide the mushrooms and the grated cheese among the cups and then top each with a chilled pastry round. Bake for 25 minutes until the dough is puffed up and turn halfway through. Serve hot, with more fresh thyme and a glass of Amelia Pinot Noir.

Pork and cabbage dumplings

If you are thinking of nibbles to enjoy your sparkling wine in New Year’s Eve, Asian dumplings such as gyozas are an excellent alternative. To make them you need a package of dumpling dough (available in all Chinese supermarkets), 300 grams of ground pork, a finely chopped small cabbage, one garlic clove grated, grated ginger, a teaspoon of sugar, 11/2 teaspoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of sesame oil and a teaspoon of cornstarch. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, then place a walnut-size portion of the filing in each dough and close them by pressing with two fingers on both sides. You can fry or steam them, and serve them with soy sauce with drops of rice vinegar. The ideal pairing? A glass of Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Collection Brut will not disappoint you.