Pazo Torrado Albariño 2017, D.O. Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain. 12.5%ABV, SRP around $11/bottle.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright by Jim van Bergen, JvB UnCorked 2019.
May Not Be Duplicated Without Permission.
By Jim van Bergen, JvBUnCorked
Color is a translucent medium straw. The nose offers a luxurious floral aroma, hyacinth, orchid and pineapple. On the palate: tart green apple, lime zest, and lemon pith with a long, citrus finish. I am savoring this wine so wonderfully on a couple of summer days that range from hot afternoon to cool evenings, and the Albariño is so flexible it seems it could work with six feet of snow on the ground and subzero temps.
Last night I tasted this while prepping dinner, and slowly sipped a portion while grilling broccoli, squash, and red meat. It was so tasty I kept enjoying it throughout dinner. Yes, this paired nicely with grilled red meat, with grilled vegetables, and then on yet another evening, with fresh red fruit and soft French cheese. The acidity and fruit are light, crisp, and cheery enough to cleanse the palate of strong flavors in a delightful arc. It is bright and fun, delightful and easy-going. With a high quality-to-price ratio, what’s not to love about Spanish Albariño from Rías Baixas?
All Rights Reserved. Copyright by Jim van Bergen, JvB UnCorked 2019.
May Not Be Duplicated Without Permission.
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Garnacha Day!
24 SepSeptember 18th, 2015 was deemed #GarnachaDay from Wines of Garnacha. If you are a wine newbie, the Garnacha grape is also known as Grenache, which is widely planted in Italy, France, the USA and Spain, and is as big and popular as cabernet! I was happy to join in a virtual tasting panel from Snooth. Here are my in-depth tasting notes for the wines I tasted:
Clos Dalian 2014 Garnacha Blanca, Terra Alta, Spain 12.5% ABV.
Deep Straw in color. With an aromatic nose of pineapple, white peach and pear. In the mouth, bracing acidity followed by long lasting and rich lemon, dominant on the palate Residual notes of sodium, granite, clay and petroleum. A solid expression of white Grenache grape, suited to help quench the hot spanish sun, early evening tapas, and complementing salads, shellfish, white fish, white meats, cheese or light pastas.
Beso de Vino Old Vine Garnacha 2014, Ariñena, Spain 13.5% ABV
Color is deep ruby with a purple center. The prominent nose of dark fruit and wet stone leads into the mouthfeel of black cherry, black plum, and green underbrush with notes of loamy earth, silt, stone, and toasted young oak.
Viñas Del Vero’s Secastilla Garnacha 2010, Somantano, Spain. 14%ABV.
Color shows a garnet center with deep purple edging. A large nose with black fruit, a touch of funk, aged tobacco leaves and forest floor. On the palate, reserved dark fruit gives way to smooth tannins enveloped in a series of notes that come after the hidden acidity springs forth: black earth with clay and mineral-rich soil. A clear-cut result of deep-rooted, older vines and some decent age on a well-conceived wine, a good demonstration of how Garnacha evolves. Solid value. My favorite, and a huge hit of the virtual tasting.
The spanish wines we tasted remind me why I love this grape and how flexible and expressive a grape it can be. You might think you love Châteauneuf-du-pape without realizing you love the main ingredient, grenache. #GarnachaDay is an excellent reminder of both the amazing wines from Spain as well as the fabulous wines worldwide that owe their backbone to garnacha.
What’s your favorite garnacha/grenache wine?
à votre santé!
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Tags: Garnacha, Red Wine Review, Spanish Red Wine, spanish white wine, White Garnacha Wine, Wine Commentary