Posts Tagged ‘sandalwood’
Varietal: Rioja
Region: Spain
Cost: $21
Dark color with aromas of crushed red berries, anise, and sandalwood. Fruit, nut, and spice flavors in the mouth will pair well with meats, Mediterranean food, savory pasta dishes, and world class cheeses.
Recommendations: I have a confession to make, a mea culpa if you will. I was a bad wine writer and drank a bottle of this several months before and dropped the ball by not writing about it. That’s why I was so thrilled when the International Wine of the Month Club sent me a bottle to try out. Redemption, thy name is wine.
I’ve always been a fan of dark wines, and the Vina Zaco Rioja is certainly that. Crushed fruit on the nose lead into great flavors of dark fruit and spice that paired well with a dinner of slow cooked beef roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions in au jus.
As far as versatile wines go, this is certainly one to keep in mind. It pairs well with a lot of different foods or is great just on its own. It’s at a good price point (and I’ve often seen it on sale at stores), and even received a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator for those that put stock in those things. The only problem you’ll have with this wine is deciding whether to enjoy it with food or by itself. If only all decisions in life were so hard.
Varietal: Sangiovese
Region: Italy
Cost: $19.50
Flavors of ripe cherry and plum with aromas of spice and sandalwood. Ruby red coloring that catches the eye before enticing the palate. Will pair well with pasta, grilled food, or just about anything.
Recommendations: When I got this bottle I really had to resist the urge to just open it up and start enjoying it. While patience (and the knowledge that my wife would kill me if I drank this without her) won out, I have to say that this wine was spectacular. Nice, earthy aromas pair well with the cherry and plum flavors and a good tannic finish. Paired with a meal of pasta and red sauce with some ground sausage, this was a perfect compliment to the sauciness of the meal.
The flavors of this wine are subtle, but that’s a good thing as it makes it enjoyable to drink even after the meal is finished without making you want more food just to pair with it. Light, easy to drink, and enjoyable with just about any meal, this is a great find for anybody looking to try Sangiovese.
Special thanks to the International Wine of the Month Club.
