Join us this Friday, January 30th any time between 4 and 7 p.m. to taste a bevy of affordable and delicious wines of Western Europe. It’s just $5 to taste 5 wines (free for Grape Nuts), and we’ve got some great selections from Italy, Spain and France to share with you including the 2013 Ostatu Rioja Blanco, one of the Wines of the Week, along with some other great new arrivals from all over the Euro-Zone.
The Wines
Prices range from $10 to $16
1. 2013 Domaine DelSol Picpoul de Pinet – Picpoul is one of the Languedoc’s oldest native varietals, and it is also one of the freshest and tangiest whites produced in the region. Often compared to Loire Valley Muscadet, this light, high acid white wine offers up tons of clean citrus and apple notes along with notions of flowers and saline minerality.
2. 2013 Ostatu Rioja Blanco – Ostatu’s Rioja Blanco is one of the great white wine values every year. Composed of 60 to 70 year old Viura (90%) and Malvasia (10%), it is fermented entirely in stainless steel. The resulting wine shows a level of complexity almost never encountered for less than $15. Pear, white peach, lemon, mixed citrus, flowers, herbs, and mineral all make an appearance in this impressive white wine.
3. 2013 Les Epinats Saumur Rouge – For fans of lighter, fresher red wines, this is the ticket. 100% Cabernet Franc fermented entirely in stainless steel, this lively and juicy red offers up aromas and flavors of black cherry, cranberry, damp earth, and light mineral. For fans of Beaujolais and other lightweight reds, you’ll want to try this one.
4. 2012 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Masciarelli’s Montepulciano is one of the all-time great Italian table wines. For less than $15, it delivers a ton of classic Italian flavor with black cherry and damson leading the way, finishing with savory notes of leather, licorice, and spice. If you’re having pizza or pasta with red sauce for dinner anytime soon, snag a couple bottles of this and give it a whirl.
5. 2012 Altaroses Garnacha Montsant – This is one of Josh’s top 10 reds under $20, and the current release is super. 100% Garnacha from Monstant in the Catalan region of Spain (near Priorat), it performs a bit like a New World Pinot Noir with a lush, sappy core of ripe cherry, strawberry, fresh flowers and spice and a smooth and supple palate.