Posts Tagged ‘spain’
Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja – Spain
Cost: $18
Winemaker’s Notes: A deep red in color with bright flavors of ripe berries and oak that will pair with duck, any red meats, and roasted vegetables.
My Review: A few weeks ago a pair of bottles showed up to my office. Whereas most samples I get have at least some tasting notes, if not a letter from the winemaker/vineyard owner/head of marketing letting me know something about the wine that might not be in the tasting notes, the two bottles of Montecillo (one the 2003 Reserva, another to be reviewed later), had nothing. In fact I took a moment to look over the shipping label to make sure that they were in fact intended for me.
Knowing what I know now, I would have at least kept the 2003 Reserva anyways.
Varietal: Garnacha (also known as Grenache)
Region: Spain
Cost: $20
Very dark red coloring leads into a surprisingly medium-bodied wine. Very subtle aromas of berry are followed by equally subtle flavors of cherry and spice. The subtle flavors allow this to pair well with most foods, as the aromas and flavors of the wine will compliment rather than over-power whatever it is paired with.
Recommendations: I was very surprised by this wine when I took the first sip of it. The dark red coloring of it lead me to believe that it was going to be of a much bolder flavor than it turned out to be. That’s not to say that I was disappointed in the flavors, only that it wasn’t what I expected when I saw the wine in my glass. The subtle flavors of this wine are what I love about a lot of medium-bodied wines: they work with whatever you’re eating, not against it. While I enjoyed this wine by itself, it’s easy to imagine pairing it with everything from something rich like steak or lamb to something as simple as pizza. Spanish wines are slowly but surely claiming more of my wine cellar every time I visit my local wine store, and its wines like this 2007 Bodegas that are the reason – wines that go with anything. If you see this in your store, grab it. You won’t be sorry.
Special thanks to the International Wine of the Month Club for supplying the wine.
Through the years, I’ve had numerous people ask me the best ways to get introduced to new wines. There are lots of ways: go to wine festivals, visit a vineyard and try their wines, visit a wine shop and just pick something out, ask the bartender at your local wine bar to give you something new, or sign up for a wine of the month club.
Wine of the month clubs come in various shapes, sizes, and prices, and because of that they can be a bit daunting. With that in mind, here’s my thoughts on one wine of the month club in particular: The International Wine of the Month Club.
Started in 1994, The International Wine of the Month Club uses a 12-person panel headed by educator and industry expoert Don Lahey to ensure that all of the wine they select for their members is of the highest quality. With memberships that range from 2-12 months at a time, The International Wine of the Month Club, unlike some other clubs that focus on one or two specific areas, offers wine from all over the globe. From the classic wine making regions like France, Spain, and Italy, to the newer regions of California, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and others, you’re not locked into a specific region or type of wine with this club, making it perfect for those looking to branch out into new wines and new regions.
The International Wine of the Month Club offers three levels to fit varying tastes and budgets. Those levels are:
Premier Series – $29.95 + s&h
- selected wines retail in the $15-$25 range.
- has been offered since the International Wine of the Month Club started in 1994.
- the most popular club offered
- members may choose to recieve two reds, two whites, or one of each.
Masters Series – $45.95 + s&h
- one bottle from the Premier series level.
- one bottle from the Collectors series level.
- members may choose two reds or one red and one white.
Collectors Series - $65.95 + s&h
- selected wines retail in the $30-$60 range.
- members may choose from two reds or one red and one white.
Given the range of options offered by the International Wine of the Month Club, I really do recommend this wine club for anybody looking to branch out into new wines and new regions. With levels that can appeal to every taste and every budget, the International Wine of the Month Club has something for everybody.
For more information or to sign up for a membership, visit the International Wine of the Month Club at: http://www.winemonthclub.com or call them toll-free at (800) 625-8238.
