Dog Day Wines of Summer

Yesterday, I discussed "Dog Day Wines of Summer" on XM Radio's Broadminded with Jill Zimorski of Cafe Atlantico & Mini Bar. The perfect wines on a hot summer day exude crisp and refreshing acidity and don't tire the palate. Look for high acid wines from grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Albariño, Pinot Gris/Grigio or blends from Spain's Basque Region. Stay away from oaky Chardonnay as the weight of the wine can tire out the palate, not to mention high alcohol wines can come across "hot".

Here is a recap of wines discussed on yesterday's program. Click the link below to hear the audio clip from the show.

XM RADIO DOG DAY WINES OF SUMMER

Xarmant Txakolina, Basque Region, Spain--fresh white blend from Spain's Basque Region from indigenous grapes. Lemon-limon and citrus notes, mineral, slight bit of spritz. Mouthwatering finish. Great with sushi/seafood.

Morgadio Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain--aromatic with notes of banana, melon, apricot, spring flowers. Little more weighty than the Xarmant but crisp acidity and refreshing finish. Great with seafood.

Ca' Bona Pinot Grigio Rosé, Lombardy, Italy--the coolest Pinot Grigio I have ever seen. As Pinot Grigio grape skins have a slight pinky color, its possible to make a Rosé from macerating the grape skins with the grape juice to extract color. Fresh and light like a white Pinot Grigio with a slight watermelon and strawberry flavor.

Cederberg Chenin Blanc, Cederberg, South Africa--over the top aromatics. Loads of white grapefruit, lemon-lime zest and a touch of peach. Zesty finish.

Lynfred Seyval Blanc, Illinois--Perfect for those looking for a sweeter wine yet is refreshing. Smells similar to Sauvignon Blanc with ripe grapefruit, lychee/floral notes, apricot with just a little sweetness. Refreshing finish.

For those of you who just don't do white, try high acid reds like Beaujolais, Pinot Noirs (from Oregon or Europe) or even the Italian favs Dolcetto or Barbera. Chill the reds for approximately 15 minutes in the fridge for a more refreshing experience.

Spain's Isle of Wine

The Island of Mallorca, 120 miles off Spain's Mediterranean coast conjures up images of white sand beaches filled with vacationers from mainland Europe, yet a mere 20 miles off the beach lies a land filled with rolling hills (mountains to the North) dotted with windmills and countless small bodegas.

Winemaking in Mallorca dates back to Roman times and since then has seen its ups and downs, most notably during the early 20th-century when Phylloxera (the vine root eating louse) devastated most of the vineyards, which down are down from 30,000 acres at the turn-of-the-century to around 2,500 acres today.

For many, wine from Mallorca is merely a curiosity and very few bottles ever reach the U.S. as most are consumed locally by the hoards of tourists that visit the Island each year. Yet the wine gems of Mallorca are worth seeking out, especially reds made from the native local varieties Manto Negro and Callet and whites from Premsal Blanco.

If you go, here are some spots not to miss:

Perlas Majorica--Mallorca's famous faux pearls are manufactured here in the small town of Manacor. Guests can view the process and purchase items at factory direct pricing.





Restaurant Ca'n March--a few blocks from Perlas Majorica, this quaint restaurant specializes in traditional and modern Mallorca cuisine and makes a perfect stop between wine tastings.







Oliver Moragues and Finca de Binicomprat--a rustic bed & breakfast and winery located in the village of Algaida, a mere 20 minutes from Palma, which specializes in red wines from Callet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Vins Toni Gelabert--a small family-owned winery outside the town of Manacor, which produces a range of both red and white wines. Appointment necessary.

Anima Negra--one of the few wineries that exports to the U.S. which produces the following stellar wines:

Quibia 2006--white blend of Premsal Blanc and Muscat. Over the top aromatics with peach, pineapple and citrus notes with an undertone of fresh herbs, full-bodied with a creamy palate

AN/2 2005--red blend of Callet, Manto Negro with a dash of Syrah. Juicy black cherry and plum fruit along with cedar and cigar box notes. Smooth and light with soft ripe tannins.

AN 2004--red blend of Callet and Manto Negro. Intense savory aromas of leather and spice plus dried cranberry, plum and cassis notes, smooth with ripe tannins, persistent finish.


Es Moli Den Bou Restaurant--For Mallorca's best gastronomic experience, a visit to this Michelin starred spot is a must. Set in the base of an old windmill in the village of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Es Moli Den Bou features creative Mallorcan cuisine from Chef Tomeu Caldentey. Splurge and go for the Gran Tasting menu, which features a dizzying seven courses plus a number of 'surprise' items from the chef. Ask the Sommelier to pair your meal with local Mallorcan wines.

My recent visit included the following Gran Tasting Menu:

Prawns with "Venere" rice, mushrooms and Mahon cheese
Scallops with Foie
Baclao with mushrooms, parsley and garlic oil
Loin of deer with grapes and red wine sauce
Cheeseboard
Pine nuts with caramel
Chocolate with Coffee

The cheeseboard was met with a surprise twist; instead of the traditional spread of artisan cheeses, a luscious bowl of goat cheese ice cream appeared. Simply stunning!


And while in Palma, a visit to the Puro Hotel is a must. The uber-chic hotel combines style, funky-vibes, signature cocktails and a menu of Asian-Mediterranean inspired nibbles. Puro makes a great stop after a day of sightseeing and shopping around the Old City. Snatch up one of the hotel's signature music discs as a souvenir of your visit.

For more information on Mallorcan Wine Routes, visit the Agro Routes page on the Ministry of Agriculture's website.

Back from Spain!

Just back from a fantastic jaunt to Barcelona and the Penedès wine region and visits to vineyards on the Island of Mallorca--where I also dined at the Michelin one star Es Molí den Bou. Tasting reports and tips on how to do Barcelona in the coming days.

Spring is in the Air...

Finally. Its been a long winter. Specifically the last month or so. The ice. The sleet. The snow. And the wind. Now that I have shed my wool coat, it seems appropriate to break out the fresh and floral whites. And lately, I've tasted through an overwhelming array of interesting whites to whet the palate:

2005 Xarmant Txakolina, Txakoli de Alava, Spain--not sure if I've ever tasted a better sushi wine to be honest, bright with notes of banana, lemon citrus and a clean, crisp finish. Blend of Hondarribi Zuri, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu from the Basque region of Spain.

2004 Oremus Tokaji Dry Furmint 'Mandolás', Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary--this must be one of the most interesting wines tasted in a long while, aromas of sweet peach and white lilies, with hints of lavender and mango, round on the palate with a clean and floral finish. Reminds me a bit of Viognier, but more concentrated and floral. A must try!

2005 Cascina Bongiovanni Arneis, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy--delicate aromas of banana and mango with minerality and citrus notes, crisp acidity on the finish.

2005 Gabriel Meffre 'Laurus' Côtes du Rhône Blanc, Rhône Valley, France--blend of Roussane and Viognier with aromas of peach, mango and touch of almond on the finish, medium bodied with a rich and silky texture.

2005 Cline Viognier, California--whoa! This smells like a tutti-fruity fruit bomb with loads of tropical fruit aromas and almost sickly-sweet flavors. Why is it that California Viognier always seems to have overpowering fruit flavors plus residual sugar? This isn't supposed to be like White Zinfandel folks! Leave this one at the wine shop. Sad, as I tend to like Cline's wines.

2006 Bidoli Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy--normally I find Pinot Grigios to have a certain sameness, until this one rolled into my mouth--slightly herbaceous a la Sauvignon Blanc with lemon citrus and minerality and a lip-smacking finish. Aged on the lees for a bit of complexity.

2005 Alphonse Mellot 'Les Pénitents' Chardonnay, Vin de Pays des Coteaux Charitois, France--a beautiful chard from grapes grown close to Sancerre, green apple and straw notes with nice minerality, subdued almond notes on the finish, medium bodied.

La Tienda del Vino de Jaleo Crystal City

Finally had a chance to peruse the wares at Jose Andres' Wine Shop at Jaleo Crystal City restaurant. The shop specializes in only Spanish wines and has a great collection to boot. I was most interested in the 1+1=3 Xarel-lo from the Penedès region. I greedily snatched up the last two bottles on the shelf (I am sure there are more) and rushed home to crack one with dinner.

1+1=3 Xarel-lo 2001, Penedès, Spain--Made from one of the native Spanish grapes used in Cava. Gold-hued with lush aromas of pineapple, honey and almond, smooth and creamy on the palate. A Very distinctive wine. Lingering nutty finish. Retail: $20

Pick up a bottle at:

Jaleo Crystal City

2250A Crystal Drive

Arlington, VA

703.413.8181

Wine bottle courtesy of www.umesufan3.com

Cheap Cheap!

Nothing beats a good bottle of wine. And nothing beats a CHEAP bottle of good wine.

Two recent finds to seek out:

Du Peloux Ugni Blanc/Viognier 2004, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, France--The south of France is a bargain hunters dream when it comes to quaffable, inexpensive wines. This little number was found at Trader Joe's for a whopping 5.99! Notes of ripe pear, melon, apricot, with a touch of honeysuckle and white flower. Medium body. A little oily. Short finish.

Yasa 'Old Vines' Macabeo 2005, Calatayud, Spain--Made from knotty 50 year-old vines in Spain's Catalonia region. Macabeo is one of the grapes used to make Cava and also widely used in white Rioja (where it is known as Viura). On its own, it makes a fresh, clean white wine perfect for quaffing on 90 degree, 100% humidity days. Picked this one up at the Wine Specialist for 7.99! Notes of green apple, tropical fruits and citrus fruits. Fresh. Crisp. Zingy. Slightly nutty. Lingering finish.

Photo of old Macebeo vines courtesy of www.kysela.com

Think Pink Part Deux: Wine of the Week

Sorry for the lack of creativity in this week's post as we yet again discuss some pink wine. I have been tasting oodles of the stuff lately as I have been consulting on a restaurant wine list in downtown DC. So here come two more you might want to try:

2004 Trevor Jones Cebo Rosé, Barossa Valley, Australia. This ain't your Mom's White Zin--an intoxicating blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat de Frontignac. Deep crimson red color with luscious aromas of fresh raspberries, spice and cherry,
medium body, and a crisp finish. An ideal match for lamb, pork or amazing on its own.
Average Retail: $15


2004 Neakeas Vega Sindoa Rose, Navarra, Spain. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha. Intense aromas of ripe strawberries and cherries, spice and raspberries on the palate, crisp finish. Ideal with oily fish such as salmon, as well as simply prepared veal, pork and chicken. Average Retail: $8

Image courtesy of Cellartracker.com

Geeks Rejoice!

I think everyone knows by now that I am a wine geek. I get excited over weird wines-the weirder, the BETTER. I am constantly picking up bottles from strange places. Remember that Thai wine I mentioned sometime last summer? Or how about the wine from Georgia or Louisiana? Michigan, anyone?

For fun, I thought I would tote a few of the odd-balls over to dinner with Jenni McCloud from Chrysalis Vineyards and see what the wine goddess had to say about my unusual wines.

Here is the report:

2003 Siam Winery Malaga Blanc from Thailand--interesting to say the least. Touch of wet cardboard on the nose, fresh herbal notes, and lemongrass (anyone for Thai food?). Bone dry, crisp acidity with a hint of green apples. We were put off by this wine at first due to its overwhelming cardboard scent, which dissipated after sometime. Would be an interesting match to....Thai food of course, but also light preparations of seafood.

2003 Tabor Hill Chardonel from Michigan--would you like some oak with your wine today, sir? Notes of toasted oak, butter, and apple. Crisp acid. Somewhat dull on the palate. Past its peak or just not well made? Chardonel is a cross between Seyval Blanc (another hybrid grape) and Chardonnay, designed for cold climate wine growing areas. Tabor Hill is a nice spot to visit if you are ever in Southwestern Michigan since they have a dining room that over looks the vines.

2000 J. Carrau Pujol from Uruguay--blend of Tannat, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Tasty! Too bad this wine isn't widely available in the states. I picked this one up in the SAQ wine shop up in Montreal at some point. Notes of black cherry, plum and a hint of wet cardboard...Did we get the bottle too close to the Thai wine? Smooth on the palate with light tannin. Short finish.

2001 Pontchartrain Vineyards "Rouge Militaire" Cynthiana from Louisiana--also know as Norton here in Virginia and Missouri. Picked this one up last summer in New Orleans...BEFORE the hurricane. From the news on their site, it seems most of the vineyard survived and harvest had already taken place. Faint red fruit notes on the nose with a hint of oxidation. Also, an issue with volatile acidity (vinegar and nail polish remover scent found in some wines...click the link to read about it). Very light body, almost no tannin. Not very tasty and definitely not of the quality of the Chrysalis Vineyards Norton wines.

2001 "AN" Anima Negra from the island of Mallorca, Spain--here's a weird one that I brought back from my recent trip to Barcelona. This wine is made from a nearly forgotten grape native to Mallorca, Callet. The best wine of the bunch for this tasting experiment. Notes of plum, spice, and mocha on the nose. Rich and silky on the palate with mild tannins and a medium length. Perfect with the grilled venison tenderloin we dined on during the evening.

Jean Leon: A True Hollywood Story

The second vineyard visited during my jaunt through the Penedès was Jean Leon. Unlike Parés Baltà, the Jean Leon Winery was born in the 20th-century (1963 to be exact) and became a pioneer in changing the face of wine produced in the Penedès.

The Jean Leon story is one that was made in Hollywood. Travelling as a stowaway in a merchant vessel, young Ceferino Carrión (Jean Leon) made his way to New York City and later to Los Angeles in the 1940s. He found work as a waiter at Villa Capri, a typical haunt for young Hollywood stars. It was here that he met the likes of Judy Garland, Grace Kelly and most importantly, James Dean, who would later enter into a partnership with Jean Leon to open one of Hollywood's most luxurious restaurants, La Scala, in 1956.

La Scala was a Beverly Hills landmark, frequented by actors, famous directors and influential politicians. With all this fame, one thing was still lacking for Jean Leon: finding the "perfect wine" to suit his taste to be served at the tables of his dearest friends. This led him to embark on a journey around the world to find the best land suitable for growing grapes and making wine. The journey returned him to his native Spain, to the heart of Catalonia, where he purchased 150 acres and set up a winery using not the native grapes of the region, but noble French varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnday).

















The visitor center at Jean Leon presents a very informative video of his life and accomplishments and has on display numerous pieces of Hollywood memorabilia from the days of La Scala. Today, the winery is part of the Miguel Torres empire and continues to produce highly regarded wines.

Here are highlights from the tasting:

2003 Chardonnay-pale gold with greenish tinge, notes of vanilla, butterscotch and green apple, round and full on the palate, with a lingering finish.

2003 Merlot-notes of spice and oak aging, plum, and raspberry. Full on the palate with jammy fruits and spice, moderate tannins. Seems a bit over oaked.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva-beautiful notes of cassis, spice and dark fruit. Good structure with a velvety mouthfeel and soft tannins. Seems a bit over oaked.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva-harmonious notes of wet earth, wood, and dried fruits. Smooth and silky on the palate with soft tannins. So good, I brought a bottle home.

The Penedès: Not just for Cava

South of Barcelona, the Penedès is known for producing Spain's famous dry sparkling wine, Cava, from the native grapes Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo. The area is also a hot bed for experimentation and home to the likes of Miguel Torres and Jean Leon, who experimentedd with international varietals and mondern vinification techniques.


Lately, Spainish wines seem to be all the rage. So does the food, with the likes of José Andrés making waves in the food press here in the states. I think my tour guide, Paddy Manion, of El Moli Tours said it best during a recent tour of the Penedès when he stated "Spain has been discovered, forgotten, rediscovered, forgotten, rediscovered..." It looks like Spain has been rediscovered again.

And what a great time for rediscovery. The wines of Spain have taken a new turn, becoming, shall we say, more in-line with what the international palate demands. This is no more evident than in the Penedès, where the old world and new world coexist, churning out traditional styled wines along with fruit-forward modern choices.

On a recent visit to the Penedès, I visted two wineries: Parés Baltà and Jean Leon. Both producers are on the cutting edge of what the international palate craves: fruit forward, juicy, easy to stomach wines made from a variety of well-known grape varieties.

Parés Baltà, which has been family-owned and operated for over two centuries, is located a short drive from the town of Villafranca del Penedès and offers visitors a mind-boggling portfolio of wines. My visit included not only a tasting of their higher end wines, but also a bottom to top view of their vineyards and viticultural practices. We began on the valley floor and worked our way up to the peak of the valley, where the vines struggle to survive in the rocky soil.


The tasting consisted of six of their top wines:

Cuveé de Carol Cava--described by the producer as "liquid gold" and I must concur. 100% Chardonnay, barrel fermented and aged in oak for 7 months. Notes of green apple, honey, toasted oak. Well-balanced and full of crisp acid. One of the best Cavas I have tasted.

Hisenda Miret 2003 (Garnatxa or Garnacha)--notes of strawberries, raspberries, and spicy oak. Ripe, soft tannins.

Mas Irene 1999--74% Merlot, 16% Cab Franc. Aged 12 months in Allier oak. Notes of dried fruits, plum, and spice. Smooth and silky on the palate. Light tannins.

Absis 2001--blend of Tempranillo, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc. Notes of spice, cassis, plum and black raspberry. Well-structured and full bodied.

Gratavinum GV5 Priorato 2003--a big wine. Notes of sweet, ripe fruit, strawberries, plum and spice. Silky, smooth tannins.

Dominio Cusiné 1790 1996 vintage--wow. amazing. incredible. A wine only made in exceptional years. Crafted from old vine fruit. Only 5790 bottles produced. Notes of earth, leather, ripe red fruits, and burnt figs. Beautifully integrated fruit and tannin. A stellar wine. 232 euros a bottle.

I look forward to finding the Parés Baltà wines on U.S. store shelves sometime in the near future. At the time of my visit, the winery was seeking representation in the U.S.

Gastronomy in Madrid: The Fast

Ferran Adrià is widely regarded as one of Spain's most influential chefs. His cuisine is marked by startling combinations of texture, temperature and taste. Foodies in the know are familiar with Adrià and his culinary accomplishments and hundreds flock each year to the isolated village of Rosas, on Spain's Costa Brava, north of Barcelona, to experience Adrià's El Bulli. Reservations must be made a year in advance and the restaurant is only open six months of the year--how is that for an example of supply and demand!

In addition to El Bulli, Adrià consults on a number of projects throughout Spain, including a fast food concept with the NH Hotel chain. Fast Good is more or less a gourmet fast food establishment, serving up quality burgers and take-away eats in a setting of plastic designer furniture. The menu features a variety of hot and cold foods, including pre-made sandwiches, paninis, fresh salads, juices, as well as the signature menu item, the burger.

I try my hand at the Good Burger--a gourmet burger set on a toasted bun with aioli and a bed of arugula served with a side of French fries. I also sampled a few of the cold take-away items: a chicken curry mini-sandwich and a bottle of freshly made, tangy gazpacho--served in a plastic juice container.

Who says fast food can't be gourmet? McDonald's eat your heart out!

Fast Good
Calle Padre Damián, 23
(In the NH Eurobuilding Hotel, Metro-Cuzco)
+34 91 343 06 55
Madrid, Spain

Average price from 9 to 18 euros

Gastronomy in Madrid: The Haute

A visit to Spain is not complete without experiencing nouveau Spanish cuisine. We've heard the names before: Ferran Adria from El Bulli and Sergi Arola of La Broche--two of Spain's most influential chefs. Unfortunately I experienced neither as El Bulli is booked a year in advance and there was no time to experience Arola's La Broche.

But fear not, I DID experience one of Madrid's temples of Gastronomy: El Chaflan. Located north of the main business district in a non-descript 3-star hotel, El Chaflan is headed up by Chef Juan Pablo Felipe, winner of Spain's National Prize for Gastronomy in 2001. The decor is minimalist with subtle oriental flair. But decor aside, the cuisine is center stage here.

I cannot begin to explain the sheer pleasure of my experience at El Chaflan. I opted for the 12-course Chef's tasting with wines paired by the Sommelier, who happened to be from Tokyo. His English was by far the best of any of the other staff at the establishment.

The show began with an amuse bouche of Spanish Cava served with a dash of raspberry liqueur and frothed egg white on top. An incredible and interesting way to begin the journey. The amuse bouche was followed by a small cup of zucchini fries and aioli. Plate after plate, El Chaflan never ceased to amaze.

Finally, the dessert trio arrived. First was a cheese course of five different Spanish cheeses paired with various items: mini-biscuits, quince preserve, nuts and a dab of sweet muscat sauce--an artist's canvas on a plate.


The final taste was probably one of the most interesting of the presentations: a sampling of sweets served with a glass of PX dessert wine--a perfect ending to the show.

El Chaflan
Avenida de Pio XII 34
Madrid, Spain
+34 91 350 6193
Tasting menu with wines: 115 euros

Hamming it up in Madrid

I honestly feel like I am going to turn into a pig...literally. Walking down the streets of Madrid, one finds it difficult to escape what seems to be Spain's national food: Ham.


Try it sliced on a plate with a drizzle of olive oil or with a sampling of manchego cheese. Sample it on a French roll rubbed with tomatoes or better yet with slices of tomato.

During my short visit to Madrid, I ate ham virtually every day. Breakfast, lunch, and late afternoon snack; but, never for dinner. I needed to save room for other gastronomic treats.

2 of my favorite spots for ham sampling are Don Jamon and Museo de Jamon (literally translated as Museum of Ham). Don Jamon is a friendly tapas bar located on the Gran Via, steps away from most hotels. There is no menu at this joint, just large back-lit photos on the wall of the various tapas available for tasting. I opt for the sampling of Serrano and Ibérico ham, along with manchego cheese and a bocadillo (French roll sandwich) of ham and tomato. Washed down with a cerveza, nothing else hits the spot after a night of clubbing.

Museo de Jamon definitely lives up to its name: a Museum of Ham. Hundreds of cured hams hang from the ceiling of this neighborhood spot, which has several locations in Madrid. Patrons can belly up to the bar for a snack or order cold cuts and cheeses to go from a deli-style counter. Again, I opt for a bocadillo of Serrano ham and tomato plus a Spanish omelet (Tortilla Española) on the side. Tasty!

Inside Museo del Jamon

Don Jamon
Gran Vía, 60
Madrid, Spain

Museo del Jamon
Multiple Locations (photos from C/ Alcalá, 155)
Madrid, Spain

Tonight's Treat

In preparation for a jaunt to Spain in two weeks, I uncorked a bottle of Spanish vino this evening: The 2000 Abadal Cabernet Franc/Tempranillo. Not too bad for a $13 bottle. 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Tempranillo. Hails from the Pla de Bages region located in the heart of Catalonia, 70 km northeast of Barcelona.

Beautiful aromas of juicy plum and black cherry with a slight floral note followed by spice and toasty oak on the palate. Seems a little on the oaky side for my taste and not enough integration of the oak and fruit. Medium tannins. Quite quaffable in my book.

Wine of the Week: 2004 Valdelainos Verdejo, Rueda, Spain

As Summer draws to a close this week--and who could have guessed with these 80+ temps--it seems the perfect time to blog about one of my favorite Spanish wines, Verdejo.

This grape is Spain's answer to Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp, clean and the perfect sipper for a warm evening on the patio and killer with fish. Native to the Rueda region in Northwest Spain, Verdejo reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of melon, grass, fresh cut citrus, minerality, and a little nuttiness followed by zingy acidity.

The choice for the week, 2004 Valdelainos Verdejo, is a killer example of Verdejo and runs about $11 a bottle. The importer is Grapes of Spain, owned by the former Sommelier of Taberna del Alabdardero, known as one the best Spanish restaurants in the USA.

Wine of the Week

Sorry for the delay in posting new material. It has been a little crazy here but I have some great notes I will post soon on a Wines of Chile tasting I attended last week.

To continue with the "wine of the week" theme, I chose an exquisite white perfect for spring or summer sipping on the veranda or whatever you might have that resembles a veranda, even if it is the back of a pick-up truck. Ok, maybe not a pick-truck, that would be a little redneck.

Palma Real Rueda 2004

I picked up this wine at Total Wine in Alexandria after searching high and low for the other Rueda wine I posted on previously, which I have not located as of yet (Valdelainos 2004). This is a good stand-in though--with aromas of fresh grass and cirtus, followed by crisp acidity on the palate. A great wine to sip while sitting out on a nice warm spring or summer day. Also an excellent bargain at 9.99. I believe its a blend of Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. It pairs nicely with seafood and salads.

Spring Into Spain

This evening I assisted in hosting a concierge soiree at La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant in the hip Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Over 50 concierge and front desk staff from area hotels came to sip Sangria and nibble on Spanish delights.

I skipped the Sangria and went straight for the wine: the 2004 Valdelainos Verdejo. What a show-stopper! Light and crisp, this must be Spain's answer to Sauvignon Blanc. I had first tasted this wine several weeks ago during a group dinner outing to Oyamel Cocina Mexicano. The nose is reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc with a hint of nuts. Herbal and citrus dominate the palate with racy acidity to wash it down on the finish. I would pair this wine with simple preparations of seafood and light meats. Nothing too overpowering, which would mask the freshness of the wine. I am now on the hunt to add this wine to my collection as well.