The Good Wine Guru » Spanish Wine

New Years Eve Bubbles Massacre

George — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:36:34 +0000

In a more perfect world I would have made some pointed and in-depth piece about what bottles of bubbles I was opening for the friends I was having over to my house on New Years Eve. We do not live in such a world. While I did come across tweets and pieces about people opening $100 bottles of sparkling wine and champagne, I just couldn’t justify that, in no small part because I knew exactly how the evening was going to descend (into a raucous good time).

I do, however, feel as though I owe it to the new year, and to the bottles that I opened, to show the bottles that I provided for the evening. Friends brought over others, but here’s a picture of the bottles that I provided for the festivities.

As you can see, the selection was on the whole rather affordable, with the most expensive one coming in at under $20, and most of them staying in the $10 range. New Years is certainly a time to celebrate, and this was certainly not some effort to only put out cheap wines since I had friends coming over, but was instead an effort to recognize what was about to happen at my house – a lot of drinking that most of us either wouldn’t remember or would rather forget the next morning. Also, the girls at the party spent the better part of the evening making bellinis using the bubbles, and I may have had a panic attack had they been doing so with $100 bottles of champagne, though the bottles of Barefoot that were sent to me as samples performed the task admirably and were a huge favorite with everybody.

I do hope that everybody had a safe and fun New Years and I look forward to another year of sharing my thoughts on wine with all of you that take the time to visit this site on a regular basis or even just once.

Thanksgiving 2011 Wine Selection

Thanksgiving 2011 Wine Selection

George — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:00:59 +0000

There are a lot of different wine sites out there giving suggestions on what you should be pouring during your Thanksgiving festivities. Since, however, it’s been fairly well established what varietals go well with the traditional Thanksgiving feast, I thought I would change it up and let you know what I’m pouring at dinner, or rather, what I’m taking up to my parents house to pour for the army-sized feast my mother will be cooking.

2009 Coastal Vines Pinot Noir – Sonoma, CA – $10

I picked up a pair of these at my local Richmond wine shop since it would have been irresponsible of me to not show up with some Pinot Noir. While there are plenty of wine sites that will be recommending $30 and $40 bottles, I don’t see the reason to break the bank when there are perfectly serviceable bottles under $20. I’ve never had this one before, so it will be interesting to try it out on Thursday.

2010 Ponga Pinot Noir – New Zealand – $14

I’ve had other Ponga varietals before (namely Sauvignon Blanc), so I’m holding out high hopes for this being a good value wine that over-performs for the price.

2010 Alamos Torrontes – Argentina – $13 (SRP) *

Much like the Ponga, I’ve had other wines from Alamos, so I’ll be interested to try this one. For those unfamiliar with Torrontes, the best approximation I can give, and the comparison I usually use, is Viognier. Given that I live in Virginia, and that I’m not bringing any Viognier myself (sorry VA Wine Marketing Board), it seems appropriate to bring something similar.

2009 Steininger Gruner Veltliner – Austria – $25

A few months back I received a case of summer white wines to try out, and of those my favorite was a Gruner Veltliner. I found it to be light, minerally, and refreshing. Since Gewurztraminer is a popular choice for Thanksgiving, I wanted to mix it up and try something a bit different though similar. As I’ve only had one Gruner (that I remember), I’ll be interested to see if this one is as enjoyable to me as the other one.

Freixenet Cordon Rosado – Spain – $12 (SRP) *

Rose’ in general has been finding its way more and more into my wine selection, as have sparkling wines. It’s only natural that they should combine. A blend of Trepat and Garnacha grapes, this wine will probably be a good selection before and during the dinner. I may use this bottle as a way to entice my parent’s neighbors that pretty much only drink bubbles to come over for a drink at some point in the evening.

2011 Christmas at Biltmore – California – $12 (SRP) *

This one will most likely get brought out for dessert, as one of the suggested pairings is pumpkin pie. A blend of Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling, this wine has 4% residual sugar, so it’s definitely going to need something to either cut or compliment the sweetness.

2008 Foris Gewurztraminer – Oregon – $15

Since I was grabbing some Pinot Noir to bring, I of course had to bring some Gewurztraminer as well. I’m always a bit gun-shy around this particular grape, so I had my guy at my local wine shop show me to his driest Gewurztraminer. Hoping that this will go well with the feast my mom puts out.

Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut – Spain – $18 (SRP) *

A blend of Pinot Noir and Trepat (85%/15%), it will probably be a coin flip to see if this or the other sparkling rose’ makes it to the dinner table and which one gets opened up early for cocktails before dinner. I’m leaning towards dinner with this one though.

2009 Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir – Oregon – $21

My wife and I actually bought half a case of this wine thanks to enjoying a glass of it so much at our local Flemings while there for happy hour. Since it’s rude to not share, I grabbed a bottle of this to throw into the selection that we’re taking up to Norther Virginia with us.

Hopefully you’ll all enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner and I hope you all have a safe Thanksgiving and have safe travels. If you feel like sharing what you’re pouring I’d certainly be interested to hear it.

Wines marked with a (*) were received as samples.

Campo Viejo Reserva 2006

George — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:00:53 +0000

Varietal: Rioja (85% Tempranillo; 10% Graciano; 5% Mazuelo)
Region: Spain – Rioja
Cost: $14 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Wild cherry, pepper, and oak aromas with soft tannins that pair well with beef, lamb, grilled foods, and strong cheeses.

My Review: Anybody that’s been reading this site long enough knows that I’m a fan of Tempranillo and blends using it. Rioja was my first real introduction into Spanish wine, and I tend to hold a soft spot in my heart for the region because of that…also because they make good wines.

I’d received this bottle around the Super Bowl, and honestly it would have been a good bottle to open up with some meatballs or a good cheese platter had such a thing materialized, but with that game being shown in my house to a total of four people, my wife and I just couldn’t muster the energy to put out a big spread that didn’t involve some quickly made wings and beer.

However, last night we did open the bottle, though there were some hiccups along the way. Since one of the recommended pairings was grilled foods, and because I have a distinct lack of beef and lamb in my house at the moment, we decided to throw some herbs on some chicken and then throw said chickens on the grill. However, my grill was being tempramental and decided it didn’t really want to heat…so the chicken ended up going into the oven.

The wine itself was a medium-dark red color with just a hint of rust color that was really only visible when the wine was swirled in the glass. The aromas of cherry, pepper, and oak were very noticeable, as was a little smoke. In the mouth, the cherry flavors carried over in what could only be described as a bright wine. A hint of smoke on the finish, along with some nice soft tannins, would have made this a great wine to pair with any grilled meat coming off my grill. That being said, it was still more than enjoyable with the chicken out of the oven.

What I liked about this wine so much was that the bright flavors made it perfect for just enjoying by itself, but also lent it a versatility to be paired with a good range of foods. If you come across this bottle and are looking to try some Spanish wine, I would definitely recommend giving it a try, and if you can’t find it in your local store, you can just follow this link and have it sent right to you.

Lucky Duck Tempranillo

George — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:00:58 +0000

Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Cost: $4

Dark garnet in color with aromas of berry and dark cherry. On the palate, dark cherry, spice, and bittersweet chocolate. Pairs well with grilled lamb, olives, and rich cheeses.

Recommendations: So I don’t remember where or when, but somewhere, on some blog or website, I had read about the Lucky Duck line of wines. Unfortunately I don’t remember what that blog/article/website said. So, when I came across the wines at my local Wal-Mart while poking around after buying new glasses (the eye kind, not the drinking kind), I knew that I was familiar with the wine’s name, but not much else. However, since I’m always looking for something new to try, I grabbed some.

The wine itself was a dark garnet color in the glass, and the aromas of dark cherry were pretty in your face. That cherry and some berry carried into the palate in what was a very bright, fruit forward wine, but also very clearly a Tempranillo. With a dinner of beef stew that the wife had been cooking all day it was a nice bright note against the heartiness of the meal.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that this is an amazing Tempranillo and that you simply must buy it. However, at $4 a bottle, it’s a noticeable step up from the usual cheap cabernet/shiraz/merlot table wines you usually find at your big box stores, with a selection that included a Malbec as well (that I will be reviewing at a later date). Is this wine even in my top 30 all time-time Tempranillos? No, of course not. Would I buy it again as an inexpensive wine to keep around as a slightly above average table wine? Sure.

If you’re looking for a quality Tempranillo that really shows off all that the grape has to offer, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a cheap bottle of wine that’s different than the usual varietals you see on the shelves, than you should absolutely give this one a whirl. I mean, what do you really have to lose beyond the four bucks?

Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Cabernet 2009

George — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:00:18 +0000

Varietal: Tempranillo (60%); Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
Region: Spain
Cost: $10 (SRP)

Fruit aromas with flavors of raspberry, cherry, plum, and blackberry. Pairs well with grilled eggplant, grilled skirt steaks, vegetarian chili, pork, and tapas.

Recommendations: Last month I did a review of the 2009 Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Shiraz, and while I enjoyed it, if push came to shove and I had to choose between the Shiraz blend and the Cabernet blend…I’d have to go with the Cabernet blend. The aromas of the wine were of berry, and based on the nose I was expecting a fairly fruit forward wine, but that’s not what I got.

Sure, there were flavors of berry, but there were also hints of chocolate and a smoothness to the wine that I found incredibly enjoyable. Paired with a dinner of pork tenderloin and risotto, this wine was a perfect compliment, and quite honestly was great just by itself. This may actually be one of the best value wines I’ve had in a while, and I definitely recommend trying it out if you come across a bottle of it.

While both Tempra Tantrum wines were good, my wife and I both agreed that the Tempranillo/Cabernet blend was our favorite and the one that we could see ourselves grabbing a case of to just have around the house for whatever. This is a great party wine as the flavors will fit with a range of foods and a range of palates. I absolutely say try out a bottle, and if you can’t find it near you at a store, you can find it online by going here. Give it a try and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Shiraz 2009

George — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:00:34 +0000

Varietal: Tempranillo (60%); Shiraz (40%)
Region: Spain
Cost: $11.99 (SRP)

Aromas of spice and cherry, with flavors of dark cherry, chocolate, blackberry, plum, and earthiness. Pairs well with hearty meals such as Texas pork ribs, lasagna Florentine, tapas, lamb, and Spanish chorizo.

Recommendations: My wife liked this bottle just because the label was orange, her favorite color. I was intrigued when I got this sample some weeks ago as I enjoy both Tempranillo and Shiraz, but hadn’t really experimented with them blended. Finally, this past weekend while having a friend over for dinner, I decided to give it a try.

The wine was nice and dark in the glass and featured aromas of cherry and a bit of spice and earth. On the palate I got black cherry and a nice smooth finish that was oh so welcome. While I didn’t pair the wine with a Spanish dish, I did have it with a nice nice hearty beef stew that my wife had been slowly making in the crock pot all day.

The flavors of the wine were a nice compliment to the stew, but I could definitely see enjoying this with a plate of Spanish themed tapas out on the deck. In fact, I would highly recommend trying it just like that. Overall it was a nice enjoyable wine that I could definitely see picking up a few bottles of to open during a party with light tapas style food out. If you can’t a bottle of the 2009 Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Shiraz at your store, you can find it (and other blends) at this site. Give it a try the next time you’re cooking Spanish and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Sangre de Toro 2007

George — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:00:20 +0000

Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Cost: $10.50

Deep color with aromas of earth, fruit, and spice. On the palate, raspberry, earthiness, and herbs. Pairs well with grilled meat and traditional Spanish dishes.

Recommendations: I’d be lying if I said I picked up this wine for any other reason than because I was in the mood for something Spanish and my wife was amused by the plastic bull attached to the bottle. That being said, I’d probably give this wine another go. After a long week, this bottle followed up dinner as my wife and I relaxed and watched some TV.

The aromas of fruit and spice were nice, though I didn’t really get any earth on the nose. In the mouth the medium-bodied wine was easy to enjoy by itself, and flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and other crushed fruit sprang to the forefront.

While we didn’t pair the wine with any food, I’d be interested to try it with some type of skirt or flank steak done in a Spanish style. I think the smoothness of the wine would be a nice pairing to any bold spices without being overpowered by them.

While this wasn’t a life altering wine, it’s one that I’d certainly keep in mind when I’m looking for a Spanish wine to trust, and for the price it’s at least worth picking up for the silly little plastic bull on the bottle.

Campo Viejo Crianza Tempranillo 2006

George — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:00:37 +0000

Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Spain – Rioja
Cost: $10

Vanilla and cherry on the nose with crushed fruit on the palate. Pairs well with roasted chicken and grilled meats.

Recommendations: I’m a big fan of Spanish wine, Tempranillo in particular, so I was looking forward to this wine when it showed up at my office. My wife and I took the bottle with us when we headed up to visit our parents in Northern Virginia for the Father’s Day weekend, knowing that we would all be having dinner together – and I was tired of my father picking on me for not sharing some of the samples I get.

On Saturday we opened the bottle during a dinner of grilled chicken and beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes. The wine was lighter than I was expecting, and it was a good pairing for the beef tenderloin, but it did somewhat overwhelm the chicken for me, but that might be because the chicken wasn’t very heavily seasoned.

Flavors of crushed red fruit were prevalent with a bit of cherry on the nose, all of which went well with the aromas and flavors of the grilled meat. That being said, I wasn’t blown away by this wine. That’s not to say I didn’t like it, but I think I wanted more out of it and it just didn’t deliver. Now, for $10 it’s a great value wine that will give you a wide range of pairings and is easy to drink by itself, but if you’re looking for a Tempranillo to pair with bold grilled foods that will hold up well…this isn’t it.

Not bad, worth the price, but nothing to get worked up over.

Evodia Old Vines Garnacha 2008

George — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:00:53 +0000

Varietal: Garnacha (Grenache)
Region: Spain
Cost: $10.50

Ruby in color with aromas of fresh strawberry and raspberry, with notes of black tea, licorice, and pungent herbs. Red berry flavors linger through till the end. Pairs well with BBQ, chicken, and pasta.

Recommendations: I picked up this bottle after a tasting at The Wine Cellar because a) I’m a fan of Spanish wines, particularly Grenache, and b) it’s a really good value for a really good wine. Good color in the glass, and while I didn’t get the licorice on the nose (which is fine since I don’t like licorice), I did get the notes of strawberry and raspberry.

Red fruit was pervasive throughout the wines flavor, and while I didn’t pair it with anything except a movie and some time with my wife, it was easy to drink by itself, and I could easily see pairing it with some grilled BBQ chicken or pasta. The slightly high alcohol content (14% by volume) wasn’t as noticeable as in other wines I’ve had, and allowed to open for a few minutes, it quickly passed.

If you’re in the market for a good value Grenache that goes well with food or by itself, it’s hard to argue against the Evodia, especially when you consider that it’s an Old Vines wine (made from grapes on vines planted more than 100 years ago), and that wines such as that can often be quite expensive. Definitely one to grab if you come across it.

Pazo de Arribi Bierzo Mencia 2007

George — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:00:07 +0000

Varietal: Mencia
Region: Spain
Cost: $21

Deep ruby color with aromas of blueberry, violet, and woods. Flavors of cherry and cassis pair with chicken, pork, salmon, and other meats. Pairs well with Spanish flavors and foods.

Recommendations: I had never heard of the Mencia varietal until the International Wine of the Month Club sent me this one to try, but as with most wine, I was open minded and reminded myself that I do in fact like Spanish wines. I loved the deep red color of the wine in the glass, but I didn’t get any blueberry on the nose myself, with the alcohol overpowering the aromas even after allowing it to open up a bit.

Pairing the wine with a steak dinner helped to cut the flavor of alcohol as well (it was 14%/vol), but after dinner with nothing to balance it, the alcohol flavor and aroma was rather overwhelming. It wasn’t until much later as I was finishing off my final glass of the wine that I started to get some of the cherry flavors coming through.

I’m having a hard time recommending this wine because it took so long for the wine to open up enough for the actual flavors to come through. If you do have this wine, decanting and letting it open for at least 20 to 30 minutes is the best advice I can give. Drinking this wine with anything other than boldly flavored food is probably going to result in the wine overpowering the meal.

Hopefully this wine isn’t indicative of the Mencia varietal, and I would certainly give another bottle of Mencia a try as the description of it sounds good, but the Pazo de Arribi Bierzo just fell short for me.