Tag Archives: Tempranillo

Ribs or Pizza

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Calatayud is a DO wine region in the southwest of the Aragon, northern Spain – located about 90 km from the provincial capital, Zaragoza. This arid area of rolling hills is almost entirely encircled by the Sistema Ibérico, a vast system of ranges which separate it from all those areas of Spain sitting to the south and west of the mountains and massifs. Calatayud borders the Carinena DO to the east.


The flavours of this 93 pointer are rich and intense.  We like the 35% Tempranillo 65% Granache balance.


Dinner of slow baked short ribs didn’t quite come up to the usual standards of recipes from the Best of Bridge cookbooks.  Good, but not quite company worthy. Just a little lacklustre. Next time for this red, I think I’d do our House home made pizza.

Hint to the Goddess: What about some of the whites from this region?

CALATYUD GARNACHA TEMPRANILLO – SAN GREGORIO LOMA GORDA 2018

$16.99 regularly $19.99

15% Alcohol

UPC: 00626990326700

Everyone Brought Something to the Table

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The Phoenecians brought the first vines, then the Monks brought a few ideas on how to work them.  For 700 years the Moors imposed their ideas. Then the Monks came back.


Even the Americans showed up, late, with some oak to store the wine for 24 months.


Being even later to the party, we decided to add pita and tzatziki from the other end of the Mediterranean, butspice the kefta Moroccan Style.


This is Most worthy.  surprisingly silky.  60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Cariñena.  All from 40 to 50 year old bush vines. The grapes were handpicked in the morning, then cold-soaked prior to fermentation for 96 hours at 43º F to extract color, fruit and flavor. Fermentation took 8 days in stainless steel tanks at 82º F; the wine stayed on the lees up to 20 days. Tempranillo and Cariñena aged for 24 months in French oak barrels; Garnacha aged for 24 months in American oak barrels of 225-liters. After blending, the wine spends an additional 36 months in bottle.


Buy two, and put one away for a later date.


CARINENA GRAN RESERVA – MONASTERIO DE LAS VINAS 2011

Regularly $19.99, The Goddess had it on sale for $16.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 00814095060425

Chilli and Apple Crisp

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Most righteous Chilli with an apple crisp for dessert.


Also thinking it would also be great with kale/feta/turkey kefta.


The Wine is from the Almansa Region in  LaMancha.  It’s Not the Impossible Dream.


We really enjoyed how well balanced it is with a nice long finish. It would be really nice to just sit and sip with friends.


A blend of 25% Tempranillo, 25% Monastrell and 25% Garnacha Tintorea and 25% Syrah. The Tempranillo grapes are harvested in the second week of September, Garnacha Tintorera and Syrah grapes at the end of September and Monastrell in the third week of October. 


Cold Winters (-6 C), hot summers (38 C). 


65-90-year-old dry-farmed pre-Phylloxera Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera and Tempranillo bush vines from their oldest vineyard plots and trellised Syrah vines.

Oorganic farming methods, nutrient-poor and limestone-rich soil, scarce rainfall.


ALMANSA RESERVA – PIQUERAS CASTILLO DE ALMANSA 2016

2019 Concours Mondial Bruxelles Gold Medal Winner 

$15.99
14% Alcohol
SKU: 08414837010118

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.