I'm Back!!! Finally. Megan and I just got settled into our new home. I started a new job with Kroger as a Wine Consultant. The wedding preperations have been kicked into high gear with only a few weeks left. I'm going to try to have a few post a week about new wines that I have been trying and if you have an comments please leave them good or bad. Spain has been my new baby so here is some info on Spain and some wines try.
Spain has a long history of producing fine wines, particularly the red wines of Rioja. Surprisingly, however, this famous name is just one small region among many, some of which produce equally good wines, although many produce huge quantities of uninteresting dross. Some of these regions are huge, and account for the fact that Spain has the largest area of land dedicated to viticulture of any country in the world. Only one-third of the wine produced in Spain is exported. Are they keeping all the best Vino for themselves?
I don’t think so. Most Old World (Spain, France, Italy & Germany) wine producing countries keep most of the wine produced for their own consumption. These countries consume about twice the amount of wine per capita than Americans. Most of these countries like to show off the best wines to the rest of the world. The difference between Spanish wines and the other countries mentioned is you can afford great Spanish wines. If I told you that there are 90+pt Spanish wines for around $15, would you believe me? YOU BETTER!!!
ATALAYA'07 ($14.69 Kroger)
“The 2007 Atalaya is a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera, and other red grapes. Atalaya..."The wine was aged for eight months in French and American oak. This purple-colored wine has an expressive bouquet of violets, spice box, leather, game, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate it comes off as borderline kinky and definitely sexy with lots of easy-going flavor, superb depth, complexity, and a 45-second finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, it will evolve for another 2-3 years." Robert Parker 91 points
The review above was done by Robert Parker, one of the leading wine reviewers in the world. I like RP because he tends to like the same varietals and wines styles that interest JO. Sometimes RP has a little bit of fun when he is describing his wines, “…borderline kinky…definitely sexy!” Nonetheless he knows his wines and doesn’t really care what other people care about his reviews.
Jose Pariente Verdejo 2007 ($20.99 Kroger)
"Intensely aromatic bouquet of grapefruit, lime and lemon balm. Firm and spicy on the palate, with a zesty mineral quality to the tangy citrus and green apple flavors. Finishes uncompromising and pure, with excellent clarity and citrus piquancy. This would be great with oysters."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92pts
I had this beautiful wine the other night for my birthday. I had some Spicy Crispy Chicken from a great littl
e Chinese restaurant we found near our house a few weeks back. I know what you are thinking, $20 for a White Wine!!! And if anybody knows me then they know that I rather have red over white any day of the week. It has ben so hot lately and I was having spicy food. Nothnig better than a nice refreshing bottle of Verdejo. Out of this Verdjeo I got a lot citrus on the nose and palate. Great minerality and stone quality came through on the finish. I didn’t quite get this grapefruit that Tanzer got but I think that’s b/c I’m use to the Sauv Blanc from New Zealand that really punch you in the face with grapefruit.
Verdjo is one of Spain's higher quality white grape varieties which languished in obscurity for several hundred years before being rediscovered 15 years ago. It typically produces a well structured and well balanced white wine as a result of its good acidity. Verdejo is both herbaceous and aromatic, generally known for its nutty flavors with hints of both honey and pear.
I don’t think so. Most Old World (Spain, France, Italy & Germany) wine producing countries keep most of the wine produced for their own consumption. These countries consume about twice the amount of wine per capita than Americans. Most of these countries like to show off the best wines to the rest of the world. The difference between Spanish wines and the other countries mentioned is you can afford great Spanish wines. If I told you that there are 90+pt Spanish wines for around $15, would you believe me? YOU BETTER!!!
ATALAYA'07 ($14.69 Kroger)
“The 2007 Atalaya is a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera, and other red grapes. Atalaya..."The wine was aged for eight months in French and American oak. This purple-colored wine has an expressive bouquet of violets, spice box, leather, game, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate it comes off as borderline kinky and definitely sexy with lots of easy-going flavor, superb depth, complexity, and a 45-second finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, it will evolve for another 2-3 years." Robert Parker 91 points
The review above was done by Robert Parker, one of the leading wine reviewers in the world. I like RP because he tends to like the same varietals and wines styles that interest JO. Sometimes RP has a little bit of fun when he is describing his wines, “…borderline kinky…definitely sexy!” Nonetheless he knows his wines and doesn’t really care what other people care about his reviews.
Jose Pariente Verdejo 2007 ($20.99 Kroger)
"Intensely aromatic bouquet of grapefruit, lime and lemon balm. Firm and spicy on the palate, with a zesty mineral quality to the tangy citrus and green apple flavors. Finishes uncompromising and pure, with excellent clarity and citrus piquancy. This would be great with oysters."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92pts
I had this beautiful wine the other night for my birthday. I had some Spicy Crispy Chicken from a great littl
e Chinese restaurant we found near our house a few weeks back. I know what you are thinking, $20 for a White Wine!!! And if anybody knows me then they know that I rather have red over white any day of the week. It has ben so hot lately and I was having spicy food. Nothnig better than a nice refreshing bottle of Verdejo. Out of this Verdjeo I got a lot citrus on the nose and palate. Great minerality and stone quality came through on the finish. I didn’t quite get this grapefruit that Tanzer got but I think that’s b/c I’m use to the Sauv Blanc from New Zealand that really punch you in the face with grapefruit.Verdjo is one of Spain's higher quality white grape varieties which languished in obscurity for several hundred years before being rediscovered 15 years ago. It typically produces a well structured and well balanced white wine as a result of its good acidity. Verdejo is both herbaceous and aromatic, generally known for its nutty flavors with hints of both honey and pear.
Try these wines and tell me what you think!
If you like Spanish wines leave a comment on the ones you like!
If you have been turned off by Spanish wines tell me why you dislike them!
What kind of wines do you want me to review?
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