Proud and blessed of my Northern Spanish heritage, Euskadi and the family life I created in Catalunya, France and Italy, I realize that most of my memorable adventures have focused around the dinner table, with inspiring conversation, simple delicious food and intoxicating wines. It will be a pleasure sharing my thoughts about the wines I get to discover and taste going forward with you.
When I shop for wine it is normal that I request it be Spanish, full bodied, subtle and with that tinge of freshness. Can't help myself, love supporting my favorite country in the world, Spain.
Wine tasting buds can tell a lot about a person’s character.
The concept of a full bodied potency, yet subtle and fresh is interesting considering that that is how I most likely favor most things in life. I like old, wise souls, willing to suffer a little in order to grow and express. Who are strong, clear, subtle, simple, mysterious and still always maintaining their innocence.
Writing about wine, I might get to understand my own taste buds a little better, and learn to articulate why it is that I like what I like, and the parallels with my life.
When I have my druthers, I’m on my own, and I’m not in the presence of a “connoisseur”, I usually look for a wine that is as old as possible, the older the better. I know that the older the wine the better it tastes, and the reward for its slow maturation, its patience and perseverance is delectable to my taste buds, so, maturity is essential. When it comes to a person, he/she can be born, an old soul. (my daughter and another little girl named, Grace, come to mind). Otherwise if we're lucky, we get to grow into that ripe, fully developed, experienced being imbued with wrinkles, scars and life's lessons.
I am attracted to stronger, mature, and concentrated wines that bring out the imagination. Not wishy-washy, neither here nor there wines, but like the essential oils that I love.
Essence with balance, and quality among quantity.
It’s easy to recommend a top wine when it’s over a hundred bucks.
The fun is in discovering a good deal. Okay now, so with price range in mind, lets find a great wine for decent value. How about for $25.00 (twenty five dollars) or under. In that price range one can easily bring home a terrible wine, or a very very good wine. I challenge you to find the best wines at a most decent cost. The lower the better.
It would be wonderful if you share your choices here with us.
Today:
My neighborhood store recommended, Avante, a 2011 Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo; a juicy, clean, spicy with blackberry and dark plum, not too oaky or overly rich red wine. Silky, and smooth, big flavored, with an herbie, and licoricie aroma to finish down.
Having visited the beautiful area of the Ribera del Duero, and enjoyed immensely their wines I was immediately drawn to this one. Ribera is located on the northern banks of the Duero River. This wine comes from a tiny vineyard in the village of Pedrosa. It is said that the area has the best ancient soil. These vines were planted more than fifty years ago.
This bottle was 14.99. I’m on my second glass. Normally I'll fill my glass 25%. It’s so much more elegant when the glass is filled less than half.
Wow. This wine is strong, smooth, tasted, silky, buttery, so delicious. Feeling inebriated I'm saving the rest for later when friends are stopping by for a visit. I highly recommend, Avante!
The salesman told me that Avante was stainless-steel fermented undergoing malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged in 40% American and 60% French Oak barrels for twenty two months. Not sure what any of this means, but it’s been awarded 91 points.
Cheers!
Begonya
P.S.
A few months back I bought a Chianti from Trader Joes, I think it was Gaetano D'Aquino, Chianti Riserva, 2011. I think I paid $7.00 for the bottle. I liked it very much. Hopefully I'll find it again and write about it.