Joselito launches its Vintage 2016 ham in Beijing

Spanish producer Joselito launched its Vintage 2016 ham in Beijing at the Xitan Hotel, a luxury hotel in the Mentougou district.

The event brought together European and Asian media and VIP guests for tastings pairing ham with highly prized teas.

Joselito, a family business based in Guijuelo, Spain, classifies its hams by how long they are cured: Vintage is aged for more than eight years.

The launch introduced the 2016 Vintage to international guests; the tasting also featured a rare 2006 ham, which the company says can sell for 60,000 to 80,000 euros.

Chef Zhang Yong created a meal combining Chinese dishes with Joselito ham at the hotel’s Xin Rong Ji restaurant.

Zhang leads a restaurant group with 40 venues, including 15 fine-dining restaurants, and its Beijing flagship was the first mainland Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.

The event linked Joselito’s aged ham with Chinese fine dining through a collaboration with one of the country’s prominent chefs.