Wine With Wanda

Wine & Dine: GAUDIr Modern Spanish Tapas is a Gem in El Barrio, NYC

GAUDIr Seafood Paella prepared with Bomba Rice, Monkfish, Sepia, Shrimp, Clams & Saffron. 

Comfort food isn't just resigned to the flavors of our childhood but often includes dishes that captivated us during our travels. My passion for Spanish cuisine was ignited by the two years I studied in Spain. That seems a lifetime ago, but a single bite of saffrony seafood paella, thinly sliced Jamón Ibérico, and even the simple perfection of pan con tomate, evokes beautiful memories.

image courtesy of GAUDIr

For my most recent foray into the fabulous flavors of Spain, I only had to walk a few blocks in my East Harlem, Manhattan neighborhood to GAUDIr (251 East 110th Street). 


image courtesy of GAUDIr

GAUDIr is the brainchild of Tastings Social, the same team that created the impressive neighborhood favorite, Mountain Bird. In fact, GAUDIr is actually a "Modern Spanish Tapas Pop-Up" restaurant that operates exclusively on Monday evenings in the charming Mountain Bird dining room. The cozy and quietly sexy space is warmed by candlelight and the welcoming personalities of the staff.

image courtesy of GAUDIr

Chef Cédric Durand has created a menu of beautifully prepared Spanish classics with subtle modern touches. GAUDIr also has a small but excellent wine list and a selection of bespoke Gin & Tonic cocktails, including a variation with rosemary, coriander, and charred lemon. 


I was delighted to see Enate Tempranillo 2016 from the Somontano region of Spain on the GAUDIr wine list - it is a fresh, elegant, and food-friendly red wine.  


Another lovely wine on the GAUDIr wine list is crisp & refreshing Atlantis Albariño from Rias Baixas in Galicia. Tasty tapas include Pimientos de Padròn (Shishito Peppers with Coarse Sea Salt), Patatas Bravas (Crisp Potatos with Spicy Sauce & Aioli) and Ibérico Ham (aged 36 months). 

Friends often ask me where to dine in East Harlem and I've been singing the praises of GAUDIr. It beautifully captures the flavors of Spain and the unpretentious charms of Spanish Harlem. Gracias, GAUDIr for adding some sabor to my Monday night.

Best-Dressed Bubbly: Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Returns for 90th Oscars®

image courtesy of Piper-Heidsieck

Few are nominated, and even fewer walk the stage in victory, but everyone at the 90th Oscars® will drink like a winner thanks to Piper-Heidsieck! The most-awarded Champagne house of the century returns to the world's most glamorous red carpet as the sole Champagne to be served during the 90th Oscars awards season. To mark the milestone occasion, Piper-Heidsieck has created a stunning limited-edition magnum that captures the elegance of Hollywood's Golden Age. This best-dressed bottle is engraved with "90th Oscars®" and adorned with a 360-degree golden appliqué that evokes the Art Deco architecture of legendary Los Angeles theaters like the Crest, Pantages, and the Wiltern. After all, a beautiful bubbly deserves a beautiful bottle! 


In addition to the awards ceremony on March 4th, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne will be poured at the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, Governors Ball, and other events hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Alas, the limited-editon Oscars magnum is not for sale, but you can still sip like the stars because the wine within the bottle is the widely-available and acclaimed Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut. A seductive and superb wine to savor while you watch the Oscars, Piper-Heidsieck connects you to a long Hollywood tradition - Marilyn Monroe famously started her day with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck and this iconic Champagne's strong connection to cinema dates back to 1933! 

A Sip of Sunshine on a Winter's Day: The Wonderful Wines of Vouvray

Yes, I tasted them all! A selection of corks from a recent Vouvray extravaganza. 

Chilly winter days may increase our cravings for hearty red wines, but there are many moments when I find myself wanting the lightness of a refreshing white. A delicious reminder of warmer and sunnier days, crisp white wines are also a way to keep your cool in overzealously heated rooms and even cut through the heaviness of winter cuisine. One of my favorite year-round white wines is Vouvray. Produced from Chenin Blanc (also known as Pineau de la Loire), Vouvray hails from the Loire Valley region of France. Vouvray may be unfamiliar to many consumers but its roots can be traced back to the 4th century. 

Chenin Blanc grapes
image courtesy of Wines of Vouvray

Chenin Blanc is found in other wine regions (South Africa has some impressive offerings) but Vouvray winemakers were the pioneers in crafting Chenin Blanc wines in a range of styles: sparking, still, dry, and sweet. Ranging in color from straw yellow for sparkling wines to golden amber for mature sweet wines, young Vouvray often reveals notes of rose, quince and acacia. As it evolves, Vouvray displays aromas of apricot, candied fruit and honey. Even as it ages, Vouvray maintains freshness because of Chenin Blanc's vibrant acidity. Beautifully crafted and generally quite affordable, elegant Vouvray is so easy to love. Get started on your exploration of Vouvray with one of these charming wines. 

Fines Bulles (Sparkling): Domaine de la Racauderie,
Jean-Michel Gautier Vouvray Brut NV ($18)
Delightfully dry with fine bubbles, this sparkling 100% Chenin Blanc beauty is made in the same method as Champagne. Vibrant and zesty with flavors of fresh apples, golden pears, and a hint of crusty brioche.



Sec (Dry): Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau, Cuvée Silex 2015 ($25)
Made from organic grapes, this crisp and clean Chenin Blanc envelops the palate in pristine flavors of honey, chamomile, and lemon.



 Demi-Sec (Medium Dry): Domaine de la Chataigneraie, Benoît Gautier, Vouvray de Gautier 2016 ($14)
A satisfying bridge between dry and sweet, this wine beautifully expresses the richer side of Chenin Blanc. Great minerality and flavors of creamy lemon curd, crisp apples, and a touch of spice. 



Moelleux (Sweet): Domaine Huet, Le Mont 2003 ($75)
Decadent, rich, and sweet but not cloying thanks to energetic acidity, this superb example of sweet Chenin Blanc is a splurge that shows how beautifully these wines can age. Savor its gorgeous flavors of ripe quince, citrus, and honey. 

Flirt with Carmenere and You'll Fall in Love with Chile's Signature Red Wine

Carmenere - the deepest, darkest, and most dramatic of the red wine grapes. 
image courtesy of Wines of Chile

 Falling into a wine rut happens to the best of us. You fall in love with a wine and suddenly you've entered into a monogamous relationship, forsaking all other wines. But perhaps your palate doesn't feel the same rush of excitement on the umpteenth pour and familiarity has bred boredom instead of comfort. You don't need to permanently break up with your favorite wine but maybe it's time to flirt with something new to reignite your passion. The discovery of new flavors and regions is an important part of a wine lover's journey. If you haven't flirted with Carmenere, you've been missing out. Chile's signature red wine has an amazing history and a uniquely captivating flavor. But consider yourself warned - after a few dalliances with Carmenere, you may fall in love!


Carmenere Vineyards at Casa Silva 
image courtesy of Wines of Chile

Like a character in a noir film, for many years Carmenere was the victim of mistaken identity - in this instance confused for Merlot. Originally a Bordeaux variety, Carmenere came to Chile in the mid-1800's and was accidentally classified as Merlot and Chileans unknowingly began planting this faux-Merlot in their vineyards. Meanwhile in Europe, all plantings of Carmenere had been destroyed by the 1870's due to the epidemic of phylloxera (a nasty microscopic louse that attacks the roots of grapevines). Carmenere was thought to be gone forever but in 1994 a French expert in grape classification discovered that the variety had been thriving in Chile for centuries with the incorrect name of Merlot. With this amazing revelation, Chile suddenly had the world's largest plantings of a variety that had been considered extinct. Talk about a Hollywood ending! 


Carmenere harvesting in the Colchagua Valley
image courtesy of Wine of Chile

It has been more than 20 years since Carmenere was rediscovered in Chile and the wine's reputation continues to grow tremendously. Carmenere may have French roots but it has reached its ultimate expression in Chile and Chilean winemakers have devoted themselves to showcasing the unique beauty and potential of their superstar wine. Carmenere is a dramatic grape - the deepest, darkest, and most purple of the red grapes. Generally described as having flavors of raspberry and other red fruits with hints of black pepper, and some green bell pepper vegetal flavors, Carmenere's good acidity and mild tannins make it easy to pair with a wide variety of foods. 

So are you ready to flirt with Carmenere? Here are four wines that will wow you!


Casa Silva Carmenere, Cuvée Colchagua 2015 ($15)
The Silva family has serious bragging rights - they pioneered grape growing in Chile's Colchagua Valley with the first vineyards back in 1892 and their cellar is the oldest in the region. Their luscious and lovely Carmenere is a gorgeous introduction to Chile's signature wine. A lovely balance of fruit, earth, and spice with elegantly integrated tannins and a luscious long finish, this is an easygoing yet elegant sip. 



Carmen Carmenere Gran Reserva 2014 ($15)
A more complex expression of Carmenere, Gran Reserva hails from the hills of Apalta in the Colchagua Valley. Rich and concentrated, Carmen captivates with intense dark berry flavors and sexy dashes of sweet spices, tobacco, and earth. Supple and savory, Carmen is a big wine at a friendly price. 



 Ventisquero "Grey" Single Block Carmenere 2014 ($22) 
A stellar expression of a single block of vines at Ventisquero's Trinidad vineyard in the Maipo Valley, Grey is incredibly sophisticated but not pretentious. Vibrant and velvety, Grey has exuberant cherry and berry flavors that are buoyed by a strong earthy foundation.  

Valdivieso Caballo Loco Grand Cru Apalta 2013 ($35)
A bold blend of Carmenere (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Caballo Loco (Crazy Horse) lives up to its name and takes your palate on an energetic ride. A fine example of contemporary Chilean winemaking, Caballo Loco has soft tannins but a taut structure with beautifully balanced dark fruit and spice. Quite special. 

To learn more about Carmenere, visit the Wines of Chile website. Snooth is also offering a specially priced 4-pack of Carmenere that includes two of the wines featured in my article. Cheers!