Wine With Wanda

Sip This: Bodegas Granbazán Albarińo Don Alvaro de Bazán 2015

How could I not be intrigued by Granbazán Albariño Don Álvaro de Bazán 2015 ($50)? This single-vineyard and six-year-old Albariño from Rias Baixas elegantly proves that Albariño can have aging power. We’re all familiar with the fresh charms of young Albariño, but when these wines are carefully crafted with aging in mind, they’re something special. Sourced from a single plot, the Albariño grapes were fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and aged on the lees for 36 months. The flirty, fresh, and pretty essence of Albariño remains, but extended aging takes the flavors and textures to the next level. Peach, citrus, salinity, honeysuckle, chalky minerality, round and luscious – this vino is pretty fantastic. 

I also recommend Granbazán Etiqueta Verde 2020 ($18). This classic expression of a young Rias Baixas Albariño is an elegant thirst quencher on a steamy day. 

Watch my IG Live chat with Bodegas Granbazán winemaker Diego Ríos to learn more about their wonderful wines and Rias Baixas. 

A Conversation with the World Wine Guys, Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen

 

The third episode of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live featured award-winning journalists and authors Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, the World Wine Guys. This dynamic duo’s best selling books include one of my go-to resources Red Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles (co-author, Kevin Zraly). Our lively chat explored how their wine writing career started by faxing a pitch to Wine Spectator, their love of Spain, suggestions on which wine regions to visit, and the charms of comfort food paired with fine wine!   

Don't worry if you missed the live show, you can view the conversation on YouTube. During our chat, we all sipped on wines from Spain. Mike and Jeff were savoring a special wine from their cellar, Bodegas Ontañon Gran Reserva Rioja 2005. My sip was the charming and refreshing Pazos de Lusco 2018 Albariño, Rias Baixas ($21). 

Green Spain in a Glass: Albariño from Rías Baixas

Greed is good when it comes to Albariño from Rías Baixas. Trust me, it would be foolish to deny yourself the pleasure of sipping this charming white wine from Galicia, also known as "Green Spain" because of its lush landscape. Galicia's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, unique climate, and mineral-rich soils imbue Albariño grapes from Rías Baixas with impressive freshness, crispness, minerality, and salinity. And it's not surprising that the finest expressions of Albariño hail from Rías Baixas; the grape is indigenous to the region. 

image courtesy of Rías Baixas wines

Within the Rías Baixas DO (Denomination of Origin), there are five sub-regions with unique micro-climates that produce wines with subtle differences. Easy-breezy expressions of Albariño may be the most familiar but other styles are also available, including sparkling and aged. There's nothing boring about Rías Baixas Albariño; these are white wines with presence, personality, and panache. Aromatic, fruity, crisp, and dry; Albariño from Rías Baixas merits a place in your glass. I recommend exploring Albariño from Rías Baixas with these four fantastic wines. Cheers! 

Terras Gauda O Rosal 2017 ($24)
A seductively aromatic blend of Albariño (70%), Caiño Blanco (22%), and Loureiro (8%). Rich and intense with hints of ripe peach. 

Vionta Albariño 2017 ($15)
100% Albariño. Creamy with a tinge of salinity and lively flavors of lemon and green tea. 

100% Albariño, Paco & Lola 2012 ($50) shows that Albariño has the capacity to age beautifully. Rich and round with good acidity, it is a harmonious tapestry of ripe fruit flavors with a tinge of cream, toast, and salinity. 

Albariño gets the sparkling treatment in Sensum Laxas 2017 ($48). Made in the traditional champagne method, this elegant expression of 100% Albariño grapes has delicate bubbles and hints of honey and brioche. 

The 90th Oscars: Hollywood's Biggest Night Is a Wine & Food Extravaganza!

 

“We are particularly proud to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Oscars. This anniversary bottle represents the history of excellence that unites the Academy and Piper-Heidsieck. These magnums, bottled in Reims and enjoyed in Los Angeles, are the very expression of the universal magic of cinema, to which we are paying tribute.”
Benoît Collard, Executive Director for Piper-Heidsieck

Film buffs and fashionistas are in a frenzy as the 90th Oscars approach. Who will win? What will they wear? But there's another important question that must be answered on Hollywood's glitziest night - What will they drink? I can't predict the Best Picture winner but I can tell you that rivers of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and the wines of Francis Ford Coppola will flow on March 4th at the Oscars and the official after-party, the Governors Ball. 



An astounding 1,500 bottles of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne will be served - that's more than 8,500 delicious glasses of bubbly. The stellar offerings from the Piper-Heidsieck portfolio will include the limited-edition magnum that was designed especially to commemorate the 90th Oscars and Hollywood's Golden Age. You can't buy the special Oscars magnum but the fabulous Champagne within is Piper-Heidsieck's widely available Cuvée Brut.  

 “The Academy Awards is a ceremony that honors daring, fearless, innovative storytelling, and in that tradition, we have developed two exquisite Director’s Cut wines that reflect innovative excellence.” - Corey Beck, CEO, Francis Ford Coppola Winery   

More than 14,000 glasses of Francis Ford Coppola wine will be poured at the Oscars. The 2,400 bottles will include his Director’s Cut Oscars 90th Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Director’s Cut Oscars 90th Edition Chardonnay 2016.  A fourteen-time nominee and six-time Oscar winner (including the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award), filmmaker and vintner Francis Ford Coppola has had a long relationship with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and these special wines are his tribute to the 90th anniversary of the Oscars.  

Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002 Champagne paired with Chef Wolfgang Puck's Roasted Potato with Caviar. 

Of course, these fantastic wines deserve to be paired with an exceptional menu and legendary Chef Wolfgang Puck is leaving no truffle unturned. The 90th Oscars mark Puck's 24th year as the caterer of Hollywood's biggest night. The menu will include Chicken Pot Pie with Black Truffles, Osetra Caviar with Roasted New Potato, Wagyu Sliders, and Caviar Parfait with 24k Gold!  

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! 

From Rias Baixas to Rioja: Sip Spain with the Wines of Vintae

 
"At Vintae, we are restless, creative, and why not say it, rebellious. We currently make wine in fifteen different Spanish regions and we aspire to continue to revolutionize the world of wine without losing our family core." - Ricardo Arambarri 

Visit the Vintae website and within seconds it becomes clear that this is no old-fashioned and stuffy winery. Striking photos and videos of handsome Spanish men working the vineyards, making the wine, and sipping the vino, make Vintae a party that I want to be invited to! Each bottle of Vintae is an invitation to explore different winemaking regions of Spain and a reminder that wine is meant to bring joy to our lives and connect us together.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of the dashing young men of Vintae - Ricardo Arambarri. CEO and co-founder of Vintae, Ricardo's family has had ties to Rioja since the 18th century and worked in wine for generations. The Vintae story begins in 1999 when Ricardo's father, José Miguel, decided to follow the path of his ancestors and planted his first vineyard in Rioja. Today, his sons Ricardo and José Miguel have joined him in leadership roles at Vintae and the company has expanded beyond Rioja to produce wine in 15 different regions of Spain. 

Raúl Acha, head winemaker at Vintae
image courtesy of Vintae

Vintae winemaker Raúl Acha has roots in Rioja but travels many miles throughout Spain to produce wines that balance the traditional and the modern. In each region, Vintae is focused on producing superbly crafted wines that express the essence of the terroir and the incredible diversity of Spanish wine. Whether it is a refreshing Albariño from Rias Baixas or a complex Tempranillo from Rioja, each Vintae wine has its own personality but is quintessentially Spanish. 

Atlantis Albariño 2016 ($15.99)
Region: Rias Baixas D.O.

If you're not drinking Albariño from Spain, you're really missing out - it is an absolutely delightful and flavorful white wine. Rias Baixas, in Galicia in the north of Spain, is widely considered the finest place on the planet for Albariño and Vintae's Atlantis shows why. This tasty vino is crisp, dry, and refreshing with lots of mineral texture, zippy acidity, and juicy flavors of green apple and a hint of pineapple. 



Bodega Classica Hacienda López de Haro Blanco 2016 ($9.99)
Region: Rioja D.O.C.
The red wines of Rioja get all of the attention but the region also produces some charming white wines. Produced from the Viura grape, this pale yellow beauty has a crisp texture and layers of flavor - chamomile, white peach, citrus, and a hint of herbs on the lovely lingering finish. 

Aroa "Le Naturel" 2016 ($13.99)
Region: Navarra D.O
Mostly Garnacha, the freshness of the grapes leaps out of the glass in this natural wine. Prepared with minimal intervention, this fruity and fresh vino is light but full of luscious berry flavors. 


Proyecto Garnachas de España "La Garnacha Salvaje del Moncayo" 2015 ($14.99)
Region: Ribera del Queiles I.G.P.
100% Garnacha, this beauty is full of texture and flavor. Fruity and mineral with a hint of spice from the 5 months it spent aging in French oak barrels. 

El Pacto Tempranillo 2014 ($16.99)
Region: Rioja D.O.C.
No discussion of Spanish wine is complete without Tempranillo - the red we all know and love. The name El Pacto (the pact) was inspired by the concept that all wine is a result of a pact between nature and location, the vineyard and human effort. Produced from organic vineyards with more than 70 years of age and aged 14 months in new French oak barrels, this wine balances richness with freshness. El Pacto's well integrated fruit, spice, and earthy flavors make it a very impressive wine at a very affordable price point. 


Matsu "El Recio" 2014 ($29.99)
Region: Toro D.O.
Matsu means "wait" in Japanese and this collection of wines is an elegant tribute to the wine-producers that have dedicated their lives to the vineyards for generations. The handsome gentleman on the label is a real-life wine producer and like his visage, the wine tells a story and displays character. 100% Tinta de Toro (an adaptation of the Tempranillo grape in the Toro region), this is a bold and rich wine produced from a selection of old vines with 90-100 years of age. Aged 14 months in second use French oak barrels, Matsu is intense but silky and graceful with elegantly integrated tannins and rich flavors of black fruits with touches of chocolate. A very impressive vino! 


Vintae's Bodega Classica winery in Rioja
image courtesy of Vintae

Are you ready to take your palate on a Spanish wine adventure with Vintae? Their portfolio has many more wines that express the flavors and passion of Spain. And the great price points make it easy to step out of your comfort zone and sip something new.