Wines of the Month – 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca & 2012 Honoro Vera Merlot

label from La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca from SomonTAno, Spain

2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, Somontano, Spain                  $15

This month the white we are offering, 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, is produced in Somontano in Northern Spain by Vinas Del Vero. This is a unique wine since the Garnacha Blanca is only cultivated in Spain and is not widely known. It is an aromatic wine with apple and citrus notes. On the palate this is a soft wine with a moderate, balanced acidity. It is a food friendly wine and an excellent pairing for spicy foods or simple grilled fish. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

label from Honoro Vera 2012 Merlot from Jumilla Spain

 

2012 Honoro Vera Merlot, Jumilla, Spain         $11

This wine is produced by Bodegas Juan Gil. We have offered several wines from this producer and find all to have great quality and value. Merlot is not a native grape in Spain but growing conditions in the Jumilla region are very favorable for the varietal. This 100% Merlot is an intense, juicy mouthful of red berry and blackberry. It has some spice and a smoky finish. This is also a versatile wine that pairs with pastas, soups and roasted or grilled meats. Alcohol: 15%

 

Wines of the Month – 2011 La Cana Albarino & 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell

Featured Wines for April – 2011 La Cana Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain & 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Label of La Cana Albarino

 

2011 La Cana Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain         $20

This wine is part of the Jorge Ordoñez  Selection. Ordoñez is one of the best ambassadors of Spanish wines in the world. He has developed his project of producing his own wines from different Spanish denominations of origin. They are wines of extraordinary quality and personality, particularly, Albariños from La Cana. This is a very cool white. The aromatics are white peach, pear, honey, apple and a curious ginger-like component. The mouth follows suit, with a bright citrus-lime acidity and a complex white fruit arrangement. There is good, palate-pleasing heft and weight, but it is not ponderous. Albarino is a great white when you want a switch from Sauvignon Blanc and still want complexity and depth. This is one of the better ones around. It’s from Rias Baixas in the northwest corner of Spain, north of Portugal. Use anytime you would pour a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

Label of Honoro Vera Monastrell from Spain

 

 

 

 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain     $11

In Spain, Mourvedre is known as Monastrell or Mataro, and it is planted heavily on the southeastern Mediterranean coast, including the appellations of Jumila and Yecla. Good examples come from Bodegas Castano and Bodegas El Nido. This Monastrell is opaque ruby in color with aromas and flavors of cherry, licorice, black tea, with spice and violet accents.  It is spicy and energetic, finishing with zesty cut and good lingering sweetness.   You get no heat from this appealingly open-knit wine’s alcohol; it’s an outstanding value that pairs well with rustic fare like meat-based stews and roasts. Alcohol: 15%