Call me bubbles!

You know it's the holiday season in Spain when the Freixenet spot airs on TV!

Thanks to max01 for inspiring me to do a blip on this!

The ads vary in length from 10 minute short films, like the spot directed by Martin Scorsese in 2007, to more conventional spots like this year's 2 mins 30.

This image is a capture from the 2011 spot, featuring the extraordinary talents of Sara Baras, a remarkable Andalusian Flamenco dancer, born in the neighbouring province of Cadiz (little piece of trivia; she was in Mission Impossible II, in one of the scenes in Sevilla) together with José Carlos Martínez (the artistic director and choreographer of The Spanish National Dance Company).

I think it's going to be a favourite of mine; for its passionate, energetic, quintessential Spanish dance style. I have always loved dance and when I lived in the UK was often at Sadler's Wells or the Barbican to enjoy everything from Martha Graham to Rambert; and here in Andalucía dance is a fundamental part of the culture.

These Freixenet TV spots are always beautifully choreographed and produced, and are affectionately known as 'Burbujas', Bubbles - and often include stars from the stage or screen, just to add even more sparkle and fizz (last year it was the beautiful Shakira, the Columbian pop star who is huge here in Spain).

This year the ad has been late to air and is quite short; an interesting reflection of the challenging economic times we are in. The spot can be viewed in full here - it's beautiful.

P.S. I hate to say this but I think we'll be drinking French Champagne at New Year's! If not my favourite cava is Reventos i Blanc's 'de NIT' - we had it at our wedding. If you can find it internationally, please do try it:-)