Torroxal, Rias Baixas - Albariño

Year: 2009
Bodega: Viñas Do Torroxal
Country: Spain
Region: Rias Baixas, Galicia, España
Grapes: 100% Albariño.

About Albariño:
Albariño is my favourite type of white wine. It is the signature grape variety from the region of Rías Baixas. Just like you might say Cabernet Sauvignon is the signature variety from Napa Valley. Rías Baixas is the birthplace of Albariño. Albariño is also grown extensively in neighbouring Portugal, where it produces a lighter style of wine. In warmer regions it produces a riper wine with lower natural acidity.

Description:
- Crisp and refreshing!
- An aromatic and concentrated fruity wine
- Without the heaviness of a chardonnay, without the dryness of a pinot grigio, or the overbearing sweetness of a riesling... this wine is the perfect crisp mix of flavour and substance
- 4 months in stainless steel vats., 1 month in bottle
- In my opinion goes great with Spanish dishes like cooked gambas y langostines, salt fish.
- Albariño from Rías Baixas is said to be an ideal accompaniment to many types of Asian food, including Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

I had this wine with this a light vegetable pasta and marinated Manchego cheese:


Music Selection:
This is my favourite song right now.

Paulina Rubio - "Ni Rosas Ni Jugetes"

Personal Rating: Since I love Albariños, and this one did not disappoint - 7/10

Torres - Vina Brava

Year: 2006
Bodega: Torres
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya Denominacio d'Origen
Grapes: 65% Garnacha, 35% Carinena

Description:
- Best suited for roasted and Mediterranean dishes.
- I hear it's best to let this wine "open" for an hour before drinking
- Sweet, flavourful, just the right amount of tannins and acidity
- Since I had visited this vineyard while living in Catalunya, I trust this name...
- A very good wine, not extravagant, but good for everyday Mediterranean cooking. Mixes well with roasted chicken, tomato based sauces, champiniones...

This wine would go well with this roasted lamb with a Spanish/Arabian eggplant, tomato and shallot recipe (I actually used the wine to cook as well):



Music Selection:

OT - David Bisbal & Elena Gadel "Mienteme"

And this was one of my favorite songs to learn Spanish to... I used to listen to it every night. I can still sing it in my sleep. About a love that drains you so much but you cannot leave it...


Personal Rating: 7/10 I am adding this to my staple everyday wine list. So far the only wine I buy with consistency is Jose Maria da Fonseca's Peringuita.

JM Fonseca, Twin Vines - Vinho Verde

Year: 2009
Bodega: Jose Maria da Fonseca
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde region, Minho, Portugal
Grapes: ?

Description:
- Transparent, pale straw color.
- Citrus aromas focused on limes and lemons.
- Spritzy with a mild lemon flavour.
- Tastes watered down, not the best vinho verde out there.
- Recommended if on sale, and Casal Garcia brand is not available...
- Would go great with light appetizers or Portuguese seafood dishes of shellfish, seafood, light pasta dishes & summer ensaladas. Vinho verdes in general can be an excellent match with linguine in white clam sauce, but I would choose a different brand. JM da Fonseca is one of my favorites, but the Twin Vines Vinho Verde is to be passed up.

Music Selection: A light crisp song from Fanny Lu - Tu No Eres Para Mi (Meaning: You are not for me... just like this wine).

Fanny Lu - Tu No Eres Para Mi

Personal Rating: 3/10

Condesa de Leganza Crianza Tempranillo

Year: 2004
Bodega: Condesa de Leganza
Country: Spain
Region: La Mancha
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo

Description:
The “Crianza” designation just means that the wine has spent one year in oak barrels. On other Spanish wines you may find “Reserva” which means this wine has been aged for two years in bottles, and at least one year in oak. “Gran Reserva” wines see two years in oak barrels, and three years aging in bottles.
- First smell: Earthy, smoky
- First taste: Spicy, with notes of plum & cherry
- More earthy than jammy, earthy being more characteristic of an old world wine rather than a new world wine
- Strong & tasty, smooth elegant finish
- Relatively "un-fruity" for a Tempranillo
- Would go well with lamb, grilled meats with a sweet sauce, hearty vegetable dishes. I had this one with a southern Spanish stewed aubergine dish.
- I really liked this wine. For it's price, it's pretty tasty and satisfactory, without being too earthy and musty, or too tackily fruity. Would buy again.

Music Selection:

Melendi - Un Violinista en tu Tejado

Personal Rating: 5/10

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Year: NA
Bodega: Avaleda
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde region, Minho, Portugal
Grapes: Loureiro, Trajadura, Arinto and Azal

Description:
Vinho Verde (green wine) is a unique Portuguese wine from the Minho region in the far north of the country. It's not intended to be a "serious" wine, but rather a light summer wine.

"Selected grape varieties are brought from the extensive vineyards of the Vinho Verde Region to our winery, to produce a smooth and fresh wine with a delicate aroma. It is the wine with the longest history at Aveleda and is easily identified by its blue label, which represents one of the magnificent embroideries of the Minho region."
- Casal Garcia

It’s alcohol content is low, around 10%, so you won't have to worry much about the hangover in the morning (or later afternoon). At a pretty low price, you can get this around 3 EUR in Portugal, or $5-6 here (in EEUU).

- Light yellow-green in colour
- First smell: citrus, and a crisp, spritzy acidity
- First taste: light, fresh, and effervescent; fruity, non presumptuous
- Made perfectly to pair with seafood and light salads. Maybe some honeydew melon. Especially Portuguese seafood and Portuguese salad :)
- This wine will definitely become a staple of mine.

Music Selection:
My friends and I popped open this wine before going to the summer event "White Linen Nights" in the Heights. While we were drinking, we heard this song on the radio... and thought "WTF is this? Some eastern European or Turkish song?" I thought it was some kind of Latin song since the station I listen to had dubbed it with reggaeton. Well, apparently it is the #1 song in Europe right now. It's funny though. Light, effervescent just like the wine. Now whenever we hear this song, we invariably think of this wine.

We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & DCup

Rating: 8/10 One of my favorites types of wine and my favorite brand of vinho verde.

Perrin & Fils Cotes Du Rhône Villages

Year: 2007
Bodega: Perrin & Fils
Country: France
Region: Rhône Valley
Sub-region: Cotes du Rhône
Grapes: 50% Syrah 50% Granache

"Very pure, with gorgeous plum and black cherry aromas and flavors laced with enticing spice, graphite and violet notes. Long, very silky finish. Delicious. Drink now."-WS May 8, 2009.

About the Rhone region: "Legendary wine-producing region in southeast France. Stereotypically speaking, Rhone wines are high in alcohol, and the majority produced is red. The northern Rhone is best known for outstanding 100% Syrah wines from areas such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, as well as for fabulous white wines from Condrieu (where Viognier is king). In the southern Rhone, look for spicy, full-bodied wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah, and other varietals coming from appellations such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, or Rasteau. Wines labeled as Cote du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Village (a cut above generic Cotes du Rhone) are frequently found here in the US because they often represent some of the best values on the market." - K&L Wine Merchants

Description:
- Bursting with black fruit, cherry and plum. Nice spice flavor. Easy going down (That's what she said).
- Somewhat thin & dry, but smooth. Not much complexity.
- A good granacha, but I prefer the ones from Spain.
- Goes well with meat dishes, BBQs, poultry and dishes with sauce.
- In my opinion, a nice casual wine to pair with heartier cajun dishes like jambalaya & red beans and rice (A New Orleans favorite, this French wine would be a great laid back pairing).
- A good value, simple wine. (Nothing stands out).

Music Selection:

Juliana Hatfield - "This Lonely Love"

Personal Rating: 3/10

Lorca - Monastrell

Year: 2006
Bodega: Bodega de Rosario
Country: Spain
Region: D.O. Bullas (Murcia)
Grapes: 70% Monastrell, 30% Shiraz

The Bulles Region:
Near desert-like climate, known for its dryness & large day/night temperature swings --> ideal conditions for the Monastrell grape.

After the MBA, I had an interview in Murcia... it is a small town, very sunny, light oranges and terracotta houses, palmy trees... good small Spanish town. Apparently a bit of a college town. I sometimes wish I stayed there. But I craved a big city.

Description:
- cedar & minerals on the nose
- rip berry & spice flavors
- a simple, weekday wine
- "no real faults, but drinks like an inexpensive wine"
- aroma is woodsy, old world
- apparently the Monastrell grape is undervalued here. (There are much better wines to do it justice)

Music Selection:

Waka Waka - Shakira (The World Cup Song)

VENGA ESPANA VENGA!!!

Personal Rating: 2/10 (But at least Spain won).

Introduction

I am making this blog as a personal journal in order to keep track of all the wines I try. Right now, these selections will be "on a budget". Hopefully as this blog continutes, the wines will become "finer". I am not an expert, just a lover of wines and travel. And music. During each tasting, I will inevitably have some music on. You can tell a lot about the type of person they are by what they listen to. In order for you to get a better glimpse of who I am, I offer my music pairing to each of my wine discriptions. Note that the music pairing may have nothing to do with the wine!