Friday, October 9th from 2-7 p.m. — A free wine tasting featuring small grower/producer selections from importer Andre Tamers — How many of you knew that one of our country’s finest wine importers lived right here in North Carolina? That’s right, Andre Tamers of De Maison Selections is recognized nationwide as one of the best and most respected importers of artisanal Spanish wines, and we’re excited to share some of his most fantastic finds with you this Friday. This is your chance to sample our Wine of the Week, the 2009 Mencos Rioja Crianza, along with a couple of Andre’s other top Rioja finds. The tasting is free to the public — stop by, taste, learn, and save on all of the tasting wines.
The Wines
Prices range from $13 to $25
1. 2014 Ostatu Rioja Blanco (Rioja Alavesa) – Year in and year out, Ostatu makes one of the best white wine values on the planet. Made from a blend of extremely old Viura and Malvasia grown in chalky/clay soils, the wine is fermented in stainless steel and bottled without any further aging. Boasting notes of bright lemon along with some richer, lusher fruit nuances and chalky minerality, it’s kind of like Sauvignon Blanc with a little more weight and complexity.
2. 2014 Luberri Rioja “Orlegi” (Rioja Alavesa) – This 100% Tempranillo-based red is juicy, charming, and perfect for all sorts of meals and occasions. Utilizing whole-cluster fermentation for some of the grapes and indigenous yeasts, the wine then macerates with the grape skins for a short period of time. The resulting wine is bright and fresh, with a mix of red and dark berry notes and spice.
3. 2009 Mencos Rioja Crianza (Rioja Alta) – We’ll finish up with something a little bit more “serious.” This is our Wine of the Week, and it is an incredible value in pre-aged, complex, and engaging red wine. Composed entirely of Tempranillo from a 35-40 year old parcel of organically cultivated vines, the wine sees 12 months aging in American oak followed by 2+ years of aging in bottle before release. It’s classic Rioja all the way with a terrific mix of savory, earthy, spicy notes along with perfectly ripened fruit. Drink now or over the next 3 to 4 years.