Spain

Reviews June 27, 2011

Gary Vaynerchuk’s Daily Grape Feature – Parxet Titiana Brut Rose Pinot Noir Cava

Wine: 2008 Parxet Titiana Brut Rose Pinot Noir Cava Grape: 100% Pinot Noir Score: 90 Points Price: $15 MSRP Gary’s explanation why: With the summer weather you’re going to want to drink something fresh and lively. Cavas are produced in the same method as Champagne at a fraction of the price. Many can be hit or miss, but this one both has a friendly price tag and impressive structure for its price point. Lounging by…

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Pairings May 20, 2011

Samuel’s Gorge Tempranillo from McLaren Vale, Australia.

Grape 100% Tempranillo Most often found in Spain, particularly in the Rioja wine region, the name Tempranillo is thought to be linked to the Spanish word “temprano” meaning “early”. The grape supposedly ripens weeks earlier than other varietals.   Facts So this would be my first Aussie Tempranillo, at least from what I can remember, but then again my memory is pretty horrible. Tempranillo has always been a grape that has fascinated me. It is…

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Facts May 17, 2011

Tinto or Tinta?

Tinto [Teen-toe] on the front of a wine bottle is a Spanish term just meaning red wine. However just to confuse you, Tinta [Teen-ta] means Tempranillo, the main red grape of Spain. Here are some examples, all of which just mean Tempranillo, but are used within various regions throughout Espana: Tinta del País, Tinta de Toro and Tinta Fino.

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News May 7, 2011

This Week In Wine – 5/7/11

    Warning: This wine may contain fish bladders Wine lovers could be in for a bizarre shopping experience when a controversial federal law comes into effect in summer 2012. Get ready for label warnings declaring that your favorite beverage contains fish, eggs or milk. As part of new Health Canada food and beverage regulations designed to protect allergy sufferers and people with severe food intolerances, alcohol producers will be required to list an array…

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Interview April 11, 2011

Lunch with Victoria Ordonez.

  On Tues April 5th 2011, I got the chance to meet with Victoria Ordonez, sister to Spanish wine importer Jorge Ordonez. After an always amazing lunch at Taverna, I got a few minutes to ask her a little more about the Jorge Ordonez import company, and her role within it.     So how long has the Jorge Ordonez import company been around? About 23 years now.   And how long have you been…

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Reviews March 7, 2011

Las Brisas, Rueda – Spain, 2009

Grapes 50% Verdejo, 30% Viura, 20% Sauvignon Blanc   Facts The main characteristic of Verdejo is its freshness and acidity. It therefore makes sense that the majority of Verdejo based wines never see exposure to oak, so as not to detract from the natural flavor of the grape. The Las Brisas was therefore fermented and aged in all stainless steel. Viura (otherwise known as Macabeo) is similar in style to Verdejo in that it’s fresh…

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Reviews March 1, 2011

Wine Review of Muga Reserva Rioja 2006

Grape 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, with the balance being a blend of Mazuelo and Graciano. Tempranillo goes by a bunch of different synonyms, depending on the region of Spain you are in.  For example, it’s called “Cencibel” in La Mancha (south of Madrid); “Ull de Llebre” (meaning “eye of the hare”, I’ve no idea why) in Catalonia; “Tinta de País” or “Tinto Fino” in Ribera del Duero; “Tinta de Toro” in Toro; and “Tinto de…

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Reviews December 6, 2010

The Wine Formerly Known as Cristalino – Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut

Grapes Parellada, Chardonnay, Macabeo and Xarel-lo (traditional Cava grapes).   Facts If you’ve ever seen the Cristalino before, you might notice that they’ve had a change of label. Why you ask? Well, they pissed off Cristal, that’s why! Let me take you back to 2006, Louis Roederer, producer of Cristal Champagne decided that Cristalino beared too much of a resemblance to their over-priced fizz. Long story short, Roederer won and Cristalino were forced to relabel…

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Reviews October 25, 2010

Llopart Brut Rose Cava–Not Your Average Cava!

Grapes 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnacha and 20% Pinot Noir Facts Have you ever tried a good Cava? I’ll answer for you: No, you have probably  never tasted a decent Cava. Most of the Cava that is readily available from most grocery stores is generic-tasting "fizz". Perfect for mixing with Mimosas, nothing special on its own. Cava doesn’t exactly have the best reputation in the wine world, kind of similar to Asti (Nasti Asti as we…

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga (Rioja, Spain)

Ok, so, let’s start from the top…name? Juan, Juan Muga, the same as the wine. Occupation? I’m on the business side. Me and my brother, we are the 3rd generation we manage the whole company as well as the export market, and my 2 cousins manage the technical part of the winery. Zach, my younger cousin is more into winemaking, and my other cousin Jorge is more into vines. Has wine always been your career?…

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