Spanish (Mostly) Wine Tasting

Last Day in June Wine Tasting

Thursday, June 30^th

4:00 – 7:00pm

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

Mariner Beverages has a bunch of new wines from Spain and Italy….plus a couple of perfect summer wines from Southern France….so, we thought you might like to try them!

Most of the red wines will showcase areas in Spain such as Priorat, Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Montsant. Priorat is a relatively new area, and at the same time it is one of the two most high-regarded Spanish winemaking areas, along with Rioja. Priorat is in SW Catalonia. Rioja is the king of Spanish wines and the area most of us know best. Ribera del Duero is in western Spain along the banks of the Duero River. Montsant is an area that almost wraps itself around Priorat. It is one of the newest DO’s in Spain.

The Whites:

Perazzeta Sara White DOC 2010 (Tuscany, Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $13.99 - This is a delicious, crisp white from Central Italy. It’s relatively full and rich. It has aromas of freshly mown grass, Tuscan herbs and lemons. Clean flavors of lemons and limes with a little spice. Blend of 40% Trebbiano, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Malvasia and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Stainless steel fermentation. This winery is in Maremma in southwestern Tuscany. Alessandro Bocci is the winemaker. Most of the year, he is a one-man operation, with family and friends pitching in at harvest. Recently, his daughter joined him in working at the winery. Food pairing - poultry, soups, lighter pastas, creamy pasta dishes. Organic, sustainable farming.

Domaine Delsol Picpoul de Pinet 2009 (France) $9.99 - Refreshing! Floral & fruity nose…It’s dry and fruity. Melon, lemon, & grapefruit flavors. This has nice minerality on the finish.

The label has elephants on it – this is to pay tribute to Hannibal’s passing through what has become this winery during the Second Punic War with his 37 elephants (1 of which survived the expedition and battles). This is an estate-bottled Picpoul. The grape, Picpoul Blanc, is one of the grapes that has been grown the longest in the Languedoc in SW France. The vineyards are immediately adjacent to the Thau Lagoon, an enclosed part of the Mediterranean that is home to lots of oyster farming.

Food pairing - Terrific drinking on its own! All shellfish & seafood – from simple steamed mussels to a tomato-infused fish stew, plus flavorful white-meat dishes, cheeses & cured meats. One of the best values in the store! The grape name is poetic – “Picpoul de Pinet.”

The Rosé:

Commanderie de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010 (France) $19.99 - I love this wine! It tastes great! Bright, pink salmon color. SUPERB French rosé! Aromas of red fruits (strawberry, watermelon), minerals, spices, herbs & honeysuckle. Flavors are fresh & pop! Lots of minerals, strawberry & red fruit notes. Definitely dry, but not a dryness driven by tannins....this is lean, crisp and beautiful. Juicy, lingering finish! 50% Cinsault, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah.

Located in the heart of Provence, near routes traveled by Crusaders in the early Middle Ages, the Commanderie de Peyrassol was founded by the Knights of Templar, who were dedicated to protecting the Crusaders en route to, and in, the Holy Land. The first recorded harvest took place in 1256 and winemaking has continued uninterrupted throughout the centuries. When the Templars were brought down in 1311 by the King of France, who was nervous of their power and jealous of their wealth, the Knights of Malta became the fortunate owners of the Commanderie. They remained in control, flawlessly maintaining the vineyards until the French Revolution, when it was taken over by the State. The Rigord family purchased the estate in 1870. The current proprietor, Francoise Rigord, has been making the wines at Peyrassol since 1981 and has now been joined by her son, Francois.

Food pairings - garlicky dishes, salmon and other fattier fish, grilled chicken, grilled pork…It'll stand up to & compliment a host of foods!

The Reds:

Perazzeta Sangiovese Sara DOC 2009 (Tuscany, Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $12.99 – This just pops with aromas and flavors of macerated strawberries. It’s delicious! Blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Ciliegiolo. Ciliegiolo is a close relative of Sangiovese, but it’s not known whether it is a parent or a child. It means “cherry.” Stainless steel fermentation. This winery is in Maremma in southwestern Tuscany. Alessandro Bocci is the winemaker. Most of the year, he is a one-man operation, with family and friends pitching in at harvest. Recently, his daughter joined him in working at the winery. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck. Organic, sustainable farming.

Sancho Barón Rioja 2008 (Spain) $12.99 – This is quite aromtic and fragrant. Aromas of blackberries, black cherries, curing tobacco (this is a pleasing aroma and is nothing like cigarette smoke) and violets. This is ripe with soft tannins and a full texture. 100% Tempranillo. Aged 11 months in new French (Allier) oak. This is drinking well now and should last another 7-8 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Bodegas la Milagrosa Milcampos Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Viñas Viejas 2008 (Spain) $14.99 – This is an inky, dark purple wine that just coats your glass. It’s full-bodied and has firm tannins. It’s loaded with flavors and complexity. Aromas and flavors of baking spices, minerals, violets and ripe, dark berries and cherries. This has aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits, Milcampos is Spanish for “1,000 fields.” This winery dates to 1962 and its vineyards were planted in the 1940’s. Aged 10 months in new Hungarian and American oak. This will age well at least 2018 or so. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

Cellar Molondro Besllum Montsant 2008 (Spain) $17.99 – This is a complex, robust wine with aromas and flavors of Asian spices, baking spices, lavender, black cherries and blueberries. Blend of 45% Garnacha, 45% Carinena and 10% Syrah. Aged for 16 months in new French oak. This is just starting to come into its prime and will drink well for another 8-10 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 points

Cellar Molondro Xabec Montsant 2008 (Spain) $17.99 – This has aromas and flavors of black cherries, grilled bread, dark plums and minerals. The wine has notes of black licorice in the aromas – I’m not a fan of licorice candy, but I like the smell; it’s more like anise, than a candy smell. This is ripe and concentrated. It’s drinking fine now, but it will open up well over the next 1-2 years. Blend of 50% Garnacha and 50% Carinena. Aged for 14 months in new French oak. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

Celler Jose M. Fuentes Coraje Priorat 2008 (Spain) $22.99 – This is a great price for a Priorat this good! Aromas and flavors of crushed rock, toast, vanilla, baking spices, blackberries and dark cherries and plums. This is ripe with full, but soft tannins and lots of ripe, dark fruit. Blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Syrah and Merlot. It’s aged for 12 months in new French oak. This will age well for another 5 years or so.