Wine of the Week: 2005 Castell de Les Pinyeres

This week's Wine of the Week comes as a bit of a surprise even to me! Last night I was joined for dinner by a couple of friends and I had the 2005 Castell de Les Pinyeres as our "backup" to our lead wine. Thinking that it would be a bit nostalgic to drink this wine - this wine is produced in the small village (El Masroig) in which I spent a week last Fall - I was amazed when I opened it as to how fantastic it proved to be (especially for it's price point of around $15).

The El Masroig winery was founded in 1917 and encompasses 500 hectares (1236 acres) of vineyards in the Montsant Denomination of Origin. On the winery's website is posted the following statement: "Taking a glass of wine to the lips is much more than just tasting a product. You explore the character of a landscape and culture which is reflected in each of the notes that that give the wine body". Harvest in the village is around 2.5 million kg (2755 tons) and includes the following varietals: Cariñena, Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Syrah. The ground is primarily red clay and the dryness of the summer along with the poor fertility of the land all contribute to wines of great character.

The 2005 Castell de Les Pinyeres is a wine with an intense deep red color and has aromas of red fruits and spice. On the palate ripe red fruits are exhibited with a balanced and long finish. It consists of 40% Garnacha, 35% Cariñena, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo and is aged for 12 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels. The 2005 vintage in Montsant was rated by the Peñin Guide as "Very Good," while the 2004, 2006-2008 are all listed as "Excellent." I would definitely seek out some of the wines from the village of El Masroig. I am certain you won't regret it!

Life is short. Drink great wine!

Spanish Wine News: January 2010

From time to time I receive (at least I think are) interesting tidbits of information on the Spanish wine industry. I thought I'd pass them along to keep you updated as well!


Price reduction marks recovery for Spanish wine exports:
Spanish wine exports garnered a 1.8% increase in volume in October 2009 (157 million litres) compared to October 2008 (154 million litres). Although this is a slight sign of recovery in the Spanish wine export market the first ten months of 2009 still show a negative balance (down 12.7%). This recovery is in part due to a 15% price reduction in Spanish wines across the board. I cannot think of a better time to venture out and try something new before we see prices start to rise again. 

U.S. becomes Aragón wine's leading consumer:
For the first time, the U.S. has headed the list of the top markets for wines from Aragón. Sales topping €11.35 million were registered to the U.S. Germany was knocked from the number one spot with sales at €9.85 million. The U.K. was not far behind Germany with €9.61 million in wine sales. 

Málaga's red and white wine exports to U.S. up threefold in two years:
D.O. Málaga-Sierras de Málaga has been successfully targeting U.S. consumers for the past couple of years and we have now become their primary foreign sales market. The volume of exports from Málaga-Sierra de Málaga have increased threefold in just the last two years! In 2007, they exported approximately 10,000 litres of red and white wine. This year the figure is expected to reach 30,000 litres. This area used to be known for its sweet wines, but things have been changing. This D.O. makes some tremendous wines which are worth seeking out. I expect to be covering this region in a future post on lesser know Spanish wine appellations.

(Source: Wines From Spain) 

Life is short. Drink great wine!

Wine of the Week: 2005 Tinto Pesquera Crianza

The Pesquera wines of Alejandro Fernandez (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Janus) are created from whole de-stemmed grapes. The grapes are macerated at a controlled temperature for approximately two to three weeks before they are pressed. The wines are aged in a combination of American, Spanish, and French barrels. The Tinto Pesquera (Crianza) is 100% Tempranillo and spends a minimum of 18 months in barrel.

I just cannot get enough of this wine. I was feeling like a "treat" last night so I decided to break open this wine from Ribera del Duero. After decanting approximately two hours I poured a glass of this deep garnet colored wine with ripe dark berries and tobacco on the nose. Tastes of the same along with spice and mineral notes provided for a deep and long finish. I paired this with tri-tip steak and sauteed vegetables and found it be perfectly matched. If you are looking to give yourself a little treat you can find this wine at any number of retailers for around $25. Incidentally, this vintage received 92 points from The Wine Advocate. I would agree and rate this wine as "Excellent." Enjoy!

Life is short. Drink great wine!

It´s Here! It´s Here!

No, I'm not talking about the new IKEA Catalog. Nor am I referring to the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The 2010 Guía Peñín de los Vinos de España (Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine) has hit the shelves! For those not familiar with this timeless piece of Spanish oenophile prose here is a little background. Grupo Peñín is the company that heads up the largest communication of food and gastronomy in Spain. The Grupo was founded by José Peñín, a recognized wine journalist and writer, in 1983 and this year has just published the 20-year anniversary edition of the Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine. This year's guide also includes a comprehensive education on Spanish wine. More than 8700 wines (representing 1900) wineries are rated as well as the ratings for the 2008 vintage (follows):

Abona	Very Good	Monterrei	Excellent
Alella	Very Good	Montilla-Moriles	Very Good
Alicante	Excellent	Montsant	Excellent
Almansa	Very Good	Navarra	Good
Arabako Txakolina	Very Good	Penedés	Very Good
Arlanza	Good	Pla de Bages	Very Good
Arribes	Very Good	Pla i Llevant	Very Good
Bierzo	Average	Priorat	Very Good
Binissalem Mallorca	Good	Rías Baixas	Excellent
Bizkaiko Txakolina	Very Good	Ribeira Sacra	Very Good
Bullas	Very Good	Ribeiro	Very Good
Calatayud	Very Good	Ribera del Duero	Very Good
Campo de Borja	Very Good	Ribera del Guadiana	Very Good
Cariñena	Good	Ribera del Júcar	Very Good
Cataluña	Good	Rioja	Very Good
Cava	Very Good	Rueda	Excellent
Cigales	Good	Somontano	Very Good
Conca de Barberá	Very Good	Tacoronte-Acentejo	Good
Condado de Huelva	Very Good	Tarragona	Very Good
Costers del Segre	Very Good	Terra Alta	Good
El Hierro	Good	Tierra de León	Good
Empordá-Costa Brava	Good	Tierra del Vino de Zamora	Very Good
Getariako Txakolina	Very Good	Toro	Excellent
Gran Canaria	Average	Uclés	Average
Jerez-Xérés-Sherry	Excellent	Utiel-Requena	Good
Jumilla	Good	Valdeorras	Very Good
La Gomera	N/A	Valdepeñas	Excellent
La Mancha	Very Good	Valencia	Very Good
La Palma	Very Good	Valle de Güimar	Very Good
Lanzarote	Good	Valle de la Orotava	Good
Málaga-Sierras de Malaga	Very Good	Vinos de Madrid	Very Good
Manchuela	Very Good	Ycoden-Daute-Isora	Good
Méntrida	Very Good	Yecla	Good
Mondéjar	Average

In addition to the Peñín Guide the Group produces a list of the top wines of the year (Los Mejores Vinos de España). The 2010 list includes the following wines (rated 95 points or higher by the Peñín Guide):

BODEGA/WINE (POINTS) - D.O.
Viña Nora Nora da Neve 2007*(95) - Rias Baixas
Dominio de Atauta Valdegatiles 2007* (97) - Ribera del Duero
Dominio de Atauta Llanos del Almendro 2007* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Bernabeleva Viña Bonita 2007 (95) - Vinos de Madrid
Contador Contador 2007* (97) - Rioja
Contador La Viña de Andrés Romeo 2007* (96) - Rioja
Numanthia Termanthia 2006* (95) - Toro
Castillo de Sajazarra Digma 2005 (95) - Rioja
Gramona Celler Batlle 1998 Gran Reserva* (96) - Cava
Hermanos Sastre Viña Sastre Pesus 2006* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Hermanos Sastre Regina Vides 2005* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Hermanos Sastre Viña Sastre 2006* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Insulares Tenerife Humboldt 2001 Tinto Dulce (95) - Tacoronte-Acentejo
Irius Premium 2004 (95) - Somontano
Jiménez Landi Cantos del Diablo 2007 (97) - Méntrida
Jiménez Landi Fin del Mundo 2007 (95) - Méntrida
Julián Chivite Colección 125 Vendimia Tardía 2007 (95) - Navarra
Orben Malpuesto 2007* (95) - Rioja
Roda Cirsion 2007* (96) - Rioja
Vega Sicilia Reserva Especial Añadas 89/90/94* (98) - Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia Único 2000* (96) - Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º 2004* (96) - Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º 2005* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia/Pintia Pintia 2007* (96) - Toro
Vega Sicilia/Alión Alión 2005* (96) - Ribera del Duero
Artadi El Seque Viña El Pisón 2007* (98) - Rioja
Artadi El Seque Artadi Pagos Viejos 2007* (95) - Rioja
Cap de Barbaria 2007* (95) - VT Formentera
Clos Mogador 2006* (95) - Priorat
Telmo Rodríguez Molino Real 2006* (97) - Málaga y Sierras de Málaga
Telmo Rodríguez Pago La Jara 2006* (95) - Toro
Dominio de Pingus Flor de Pingus 2007* (95) - Ribera del Duero
Dominio de Pingus Pingus 2007* (97) - Ribera del Duero
Finca Allende Avrvs 2005* (96) - Rioja
Finca Allende Martires 2008 (95) - Rioja
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay 2001* (97) - Rioja
Marqués de Murrieta Dalmau 2005* (96) - Rioja
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay 2000* (95) - Rioja
Marqués de Murrieta Dalmau 2004* (95) - Rioja
Bodegas Alto Moncayo Aquilón 2006* (95) - Campo de Borja
El Nido Clio 2006* (95) - Jumilla
El Nido El Nido 2007* (95) - Jumilla
Jorge Ordóñez & Co Nº 2 Victoria 2007 Blanco Dulce (96) - Málaga y Sierras de Málaga
Jorge Ordóñez & Co Jorge Ordóñez & Co. Esencia 2004* (95) - Vinos de Mesa
Jorge Ordóñez & Co Victoria con Arte 2007 (95) - Málaga y Sierras de Málaga
Bodegas Avanthia Godello 2008* (95) - Valdeorras
Propiedad Vitícola Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2006 (95) - Jumilla
Raul Pérez Bodegas y Viñedos Ultreia De Valtuille 2007* (95) - Bierzo
Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque 2007* (96) - Rioja
Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada 2007* (95) - Rioja
Terna Bodegas V3 Viñas Viejas Verdejo 2006* (95) - Rueda

NOTE: Wines marked with an asterisk (*) represent wines available in the U.S. (thought the vintage may may not be the same). Check Wine Searcher for the retailer closest to you. If you have the opportunity or means to try one of these wines go for it! I can guarantee you won't regret it. Enjoy!

Life is short. Drink great wine!

2010: This is Bodega's Year!

Today most people made resolutions for the coming year. I, on the other hand, decided to make "goals" instead of resolutions. I tend to have a habit of breaking resolutions but can work towards goals. I am currently reading crazy wine library guy Gary Vaynerchuk's book, Crush It!, and am loving it! This year is going to be the year of Bodega and I cannot wait to look back with a big grin on what we have accomplished together.

So what goals has Spanish Wine Guy set for Bodega this year?

1. Teach a Spanish food and/or wine class at least once a quarter;
2. Post at least twice a month;
3. Try wines from as many Spanish D.O.s as possible; if you want to join me on this one I have included the latest D.O. list from the Peñin Guide below (check out the countdown on the left).

Abona	Monterrei
Alella	Montilla-Moriles
Alicante	Montsant
Almansa	Navarra
Arabako Txakolina	Penedés
Arlanza	Pla de Bages
Arribes	Pla i Llevant
Bierzo	Priorat
Binissalem Mallorca	Rías Baixas
Bizkaiko Txakolina	Ribeira Sacra
Bullas	Ribeiro
Calatayud	Ribera del Duero
Campo de Borja	Ribera del Guadiana
Cariñena	Ribera del Júcar
Cataluña	Rioja
Cava	Rueda
Cigales	Somontano
Conca de Barberá	Tacoronte-Acentejo
Condado de Huelva	Tarragona
Costers del Segre	Terra Alta
El Hierro	Tierra de León
Empordá-Costa Brava	Tierra del Vino de Zamora
Getariako Txakolina	Toro
Gran Canaria	Uclés
Jerez-Xérés-Sherry	Utiel-Requena
Jumilla	Valdeorras
La Gomera	Valdepeñas
La Mancha	Valencia
La Palma	Valle de Güimar
Lanzarote	Valle de la Orotava
Málaga-Sierras de Malaga	Vinos de Madrid
Manchuela	Ycoden-Daute-Isora
Méntrida	Yecla
Mondéjar

Why am I sharing this with you? Because I need your help and accountability! Do you have any comments or suggestions that you'd like to send.  Please don't hesitate to send me an email. Would you like to host a Spanish food and wine tasting for your friends? Let me know how I can help!

Let's make 2010 a great year - together.  And don't forget: Life is short; drink great wine!