Codorniu Brut Rose

Spring is here which is the prefect time to start drinking those beautiful roses! Codorniu is the world's oldest and second-largest producer of bottle-fermented sparkling wine, known as cava, made by the traditional champagne method and it was founded in Catalonia, Spain in 1551. The Codorniu Brut Rose is made from 100% Pinot Noir grape grown in the Catalonia region of Spain. Catalonia is located in the southeastern portion of the country surrounding Barcelona. This sparkling wine is made from the traditional method with the secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle.  

The Codorniu Brut Rose is a pale pink color.  On the nose are aromas of bright red cherry, raspberry, banana peel, banana runt candy, wet stone minerality, sweet orange blossom, fresh strawberry, and white stone.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, sweet orange, ripe mango, banana peel, dried cherry, unripe raspberry, fresh lavender, and minerality for days! This wine was a VERY pleasant surprise and one that I hope you all will enjoy throughout the upcoming spring months.

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

It is a an end of summer celebration and what better way to say goodbye to hot summer days and hello calm fall evenings than a bottle of bubbly.  Cava is a Spanish style of sparkling wine produced using the traditional champagne method meaning the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle.  The majority of Cava is produced in Penedes, Spain which is the region surrounding Barcelona in the southeastern corner of the country.  The Dibon Cava Brut Reserve is a non vintage or NV which means the grapes are harvested from several different years.  This sparkling wine is made of three native Spanish grapes Macabeo (45%), Xarel-lo (25%), and Parellada (30%).

The Dibon Cava Brut Reserve is a pale golden color with green hues.  On the nose were aromas of green apple, peach blossom, crisp pears, unripe apricot, fresh baked bread, yeast, white flowers, steely minerality, and meyer lemon.  On the palate are hints of sweet pink grapefruit, lemon blossom, tart green apple, unripe peach, key lime, apricot, and sweet stone minerality.  This wine had a crisp, clean finish with ample acidity. 

Sparkling Wine goes with almost everything such as...

• popcorn

• potato chips

• fried chicken 

• sushi

• fresh oysters

• berry based desserts

• fresh fish and shellfish

Burgans Albarino

I was walking through the store, and realized I was in the mood for something alittle different so I went with a classic Spanish Albarino.  The Burgans brand is owned by the very well known Bodegas Martín Códax is located in the Val do Salnés sub-zone.  The winery was established in 1986 and is a cooperative of 285 members that uses only estate grown grapes for it's wine.  This white wine is 100% Albariño grape.  It was sealed with a screwtop and has an alcohol level of 13%.

The Burgans Albarino is a pale yellow color with aromas of lemon, ruby red grapefruit, ripe peach, mango, pineapple, fresh minerality, white flowers, and lime. On the palate are notes of lemon, orange jam, peach blossoms, white flowers, wet stone minerality, pineapple, unripe banana, and tart green apple.  The finish is round yet acidity with a slightly savory personality.  Overall, I absolutely loved this wine!

Pazo Serantellos Albarino

What can I say?  After a recent trip to Spain, I can not seem to get enough of what the Spanish wine world has to offer!  The 2010 Pazo Serantellos Albarino (Albarino is the lovely little white grape) is produced in the Rias Baixas region located in the northwestern portion of the country.  This delicious white wine has a 13.5% alcohol level and is sealed with an artificial cork.

The 2010 Pazo Serantellos Albarino was a rich golden color.  On the nose were hints of white blossoms, peach blossoms, orange marmalade, lemon zest, peach, apricot, yellow apple, and ripe pear.  On the palate were notes of fresh cut grass, ruby red grapefruit, orange zest, lemon, unripe peach, apricot, and wet stone minerality.  This wine finished with gentle acidity.  Overall, a great way to reminisce about a wonderful trip to Spain.  

Protos Verdejo

While vacationing in Spain, I got the opportunity to sample some delicious wines!  I took this picture while sitting on the balcony of where I was staying in Barcelona, Spain.  The 2010 Protos Verdejo (Verdejo is the grape) is produced in Rueda, Spain which is located in the north central portion of the country.  One interesting fact about the Protos winery is that the winemakers are made up of mainly woman which is usually in the winemaking world.  Given the circumstances I forgot to write down the alcohol content however, I can tell you it was sealed with an artificial cork.

The Protos Verdejo was a rich yellow color with green hues.  On the nose were powerful notes of ripe apple, pear, banana, peach blossom, fennel, rosemary, fresh pine needles, and sweet orange zest.  On the palate were characteristics of ripe banana, wet stone minerality, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, tangerine, yellow apple, pineapple, and white peach.  The finish was crisp and refreshing with just a note of creaminess.  Overall, the prefect wine to sip on during those warm Spanish nights.  

Vallobera Crianza Rioja

Oh, how I love a delicious Spanish red! Vallobera Xavier San Pedro Crianza Rioja is made out of 100% Tempranillo, and is aged for 14 months in both American and French oak barrels. Vallobera Tempranillo had an alcohol level of 13.5% and was sealed with a natural cork. (that crumbled when opened!)

This wine was a purple red color with a light red rim. On the nose are notes of blackberry, dark plum, dark cherry, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, dried forest floor, fresh cut wood, sawdust, orange spice, black pepper, and spice. On the palate were hints of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, blackberry, dark cherry, sawdust, black pepper, anise, clove, dried fall leaves, nutmeg, cranberry, and rich dark plum. This tempranillo had ample acidity and a long finish. Overall, a wonderful Spanish red!

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava

As my certified sommelier exam looms closer, the need to open and pour as many bottles of sparkling wine as possible becomes increasingly important. So why not enjoy the fruits of my labor? No, the Segura Viudas is not an expensive bottle of sparkling, but none the less, did taste very delightful. The NV (non-vintage..meaning multiple harvest years) Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava is an estate bottled sparkling wine from Penedès, Cataluña, Spain...the heart of Cava country. This sparkling wine had an alcohol level of 11.5% and was sealed with a natural cork.

The Segura Viudas Cava had a pale champagne color with yellow hues. On the nose were hints of dry citrus, tart green apple, fresh cut flowers, bakery bread, beer yeast, and peanut shells. On the palate were notes of tart green apple, red delicious apple, lemon, lime, minerality, honeysuckle, and blanched almond. This cava was well balanced with crisp, clean finish. Overall, if I have to keep practicing the procedure for opening sparkling wine bottles, the reward of drinking afterward is quite nice.

La Montesa Rioja

The 2007 Propiedad Viticola Herenica Remondo La Montesa Rioja is produced by Palacois Remondo. This Rioja is composed of 60% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo, and 5% Mazuelo. This wine is aged for 12 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak barrels.
La Montesa Rioja has an alochol level of 14% and is sealed with a natural cork.

This Rioja was a garnet color. On the nose were hints of raspberries, black pepper, jammed dark fruit, crushed blackberries, sugared raisins, dill, vanilla, and plums. The palate was similar to the nose with notes of sugared plums, dusty earth, sugared blackberries, violets, and gardenia. This wine was dry and full bodied. Overall, a great example of a traditional Rioja.

Esperanza Verdejo/Viura

Being that I live in central Texas, it is no wonder that by the end of February temperatures are already reaching the upper 70s. So what better way to welcome the hot weather to come than a refreshing white wine! The 2009 Esperanza Verdejo (85%) and Viura (15%) is a product of Rueda D.O., Spain. This wine is estate grown and bottled with an alcohol level of 12% that is sealed with a screwtop.

The Esperanza Verdejo/Viura had a deep yellow color with golden hues. The nose had an overall sweet and floral presence with notes of rich, ripe apricot, raisin, fig, peach, white blossom, ripe fruit, chalk, flint, and canned apricot. On the palate were hints of orange blossom, green apple, nectarine, sweet tart, honeydew, and ripe, rich fruit. This wine had high acidity with a tart, long finish and an oily texture. Overall, a delicious white wine that I really enjoyed!

Tarima Monastrell

Tarima Monastrell has a beautifully designed wine bottle of a blossoming passion flower that was so enticing that I just had to pick it up off the shelf! Tarima Winery is located in southeastern corner of Spain in Jumilla DO. The 2009 Tarima is 100% Monastrell grape (or Mourvèdre for those of us from the United States) sourced from 25-35 year old vines. Tarima Monastrell has an alcohol level of 15% and was sealed with a natural cork.
This wine had a deep garnet color that became a lighter red towards the rim. On the nose were aromas of fresh cherries, black berries, black pepper, anise, and earth. The palate had hints of figs, bright red fruits, spices, and charred wood. This robust Monastrell has a warm medium finish with slight tanin and high acidity. Overall, Tarima Monastrell is the perfect spicy red wine to enjoy by the fire on a cold winter night!