Tag Archives: Spain

Don’t think Bubble Gum

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Strangely this reminds me warm days on the deck waiting for Mr. Bee to show up to see what’s for dinner.


Just like the summers, it’s dry, fresh, and balanced.   Lovely long finish.  Proof there are good values under $10 in wine.


Have it on it’s own, or serve with any of the usual bad boys: smoked meats, soft cheeses, seafood.


The South of Spain produces a lot of the native Bobal grape.  Gently pressed, decanted, then transferred to ferment in steel.


Bobal Rosado – Sierra Salinas


$8.49 regularly $9.49

12% alcohol

UPC: 08420202250270

Double Trouble

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This one over delivers with a nice blend of Grenache, Mataro, and Monastrell from the Jumilla region of Spain – on the south eastern, Mediterranean side. It’s hot and dry, but they’ve been growing grapes here since Roman Times.

JUMILLA – CASTILLO DE MADAX RED BLEND

Alcohol:  13%

UPC:  08436005760601
Now comes the part that’s surprising.  $7.99, on sale from $9.99

Definitely worthy of another trip back to get more to stowaway over the seasons change for when you need a quick lift to go with a hearty meal.  A certain someone will probably buy a case for unsuspecting relatives that drop in.

Was still thinking about Herr Stein when I making this selection.  The Goddess of Wine was on a well deserved break away from her tribe, so I was on my own with this – and my training wheels got a little wobbly.  

If His Impatience has sneaked a sample before the meal was on the table, he would have been disappointed in the organic choice.  

It was the blend that got my attention: 70% Aglianico, 20% Cab Savignon and 10% Syrah.


Once dinner was served and we poured more, things really changed.  REALLY changed.

Warm. Rich and avery nice structure gets you through your first taste. Now the Aglianico grape really had my attention. Slides down almost like velvet.


I’d like to try this with something a little gamey – maybe venison.


CASTEL DEL MONTE – TORMARESCA TRENTANGELI ORGANIC 2016

UPC:  08026530000862

14% alcohol

$22.99

Heading to the top

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MONTSANT – CELLER DE CAPCANES MAS DONIS NEGRE
Montsant, Spain
UPC:  08427154011935
13.5% alcohol
$17.99

Full and Robust combination of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah.

The grapes come from old vines between 30 and 60 years old, planted on clay and granite soils located on terraces.


This could very easily become one of our favourite red blends yet, because it’s pleasing from beginning to end. Lovely bouquet and a strong finish. It will go with just about anything the cook prepares.

Yes Mummy. This is Yummy!

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RIOJA RESERVA – BERONIA 2014


750 ml | SKU: 216770
Regularly $24.99 we got it for $22.95
14% alcohol


Tempanillo matured for 3 years in French and American oak barrels. This is big.  It’s bold.  It’s a lovely balance between acidic fruit and oak. Pretty complex with a very long finish. A hybrid barrel invented by winemaker Matias Calleja, American staves and French tops. Garancha, Graciano, Maturana and Mazuelo all play important roles both in blends and increasingly on their own as single varietals.Some guts to it. …and has definite backbone.


Bodegas Beronia is situated in Ollauri, the heart of Rioja Alta. To the North, the Cantabria Mountain range and to the South the Demanda Mountain range. It is a unique area for the production of high quality wines. The influence of the Atlantic and the minerals from the Ebro river convert this area into a privileged area for the cultivation of the vine. In addition the diversity of the soils gives a great complexity and marked character to the wines.

12 New Adventures start Today

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A new set of challenges, too.  I asked Danielle to build us another mystery case – we had so much fun with the first one.

Let’s try unusual and uncommon grape varietals, single or blends.  Anywhere in the world. With our usual budget target of average $20 per bottle – tax in.


I stopped by mid-day today.  Amid lots of laughter, Danielle built another case of joy. And there were comments like “next time you do big lamb … open this at least two hours before”  That’s BIG lamb as opposed to little lamb!


Tonight the grape is from the Spanish Rueda region – 140 km NW of Madrid – known for its dry aromatic whites.  Very old grape that possibly came into the region more than 1000 years ago from North Africa. The region is a high plateau with lots of sandy/clay clay soil.

Code: 79046

Rueda Verdejo – El Petit Bonhomme

13.5% alcohol

$14.99 on sale from $15.99 regularly

Verdejo grapes play nice with seafood, salads, light cheeses, of course chicken.


Lots of Texture is probably the best way to describe this wine.  It seems to work well when there’s lots of other flavours going on.  You can have this in the kitchen, and certainly wouldn’t be ashamed to take it into the dining room or on the deck.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.


I added one more parsnip to the roasted veggie mix to bring out a little more sweetness. (carrots/potato/leek/redpepper).  There was even garlic in the tzatziki.

If this had been around last night, it would have gone well with the grilled salmon steaks.


This is a wine that would be good year round not just in the summer when we traditionally drink more whites than reds.  Buy two, you’ll be glad you did.