The ViniCode™

Back from the Brink... Again!

Las Brisas
Rueda
13% alcohol
$10
2006

If you didn't already know that this wine was from Northwest Spain, you might think, from looking at the ViniCode™, that this wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. And the tastes are that similar! But the grape from which this wine comes, Verdejo, is far less familiar than the ubiquitous SB. Spain is not known for their high quality white grapes, and Verdejo is generally seen as one of the better ones. It is native to Northwest Spain and is the principal component of Rueda whites. Las Brisas is 100% Verdejo. Rueda, the region, was destroyed by the Moors in the 10th Century, but rescued from complete devastation by Alphonse XI  in the 11th Century. It was under his reign that wine began to be commercially produced in the area. At this time the preferred style was a sweeter, sherry-like beverage. As history repeats, the 20th Century was also not very kind to Rueda which again suffered in the Spanish Civil War. It was the venerable winemaker Marques de Riscal that saved the region and the grape. Now these wines are being favorably compared to Sancerre and New Zealand's Sauvignon Blancs. With the summer drawing to a close, this is the perfect time to enjoy one of these light, acidic wines. As you are drinking it, notice how it opens up as it warms. Where a sauvignon blanc might become lackluster, this Rueda becomes riper and fuller. We would definitely buy this wine again.

A Pleasant Peasant

Red Guitar
Tempranillo/Garnacha
14%
$7.50

This wine is no show-stopper. In fact, when we first tasted it, it's not that we were disappointed, but we weren't that impressed either. This Red Guitar is a gentle wine and we were tasting it against the Las Rocas which almost buried it. But in the end, we really came to appreciate its subtlety. Take a look at the ViniCode. This wine was leaning toward sweetness, which added to its smooth roundness. And here is a little insight into A Big Slice. We tend to prefer wines whose fruit and/or earth dominate the oak. In other words, we don't want our first impression to be of the barrel. The oak, in this case, was truly a condiment and the fruit (cherries and dark berries) and the earth (spicy black pepper) were allowed to shine through. This wine would be great with a grilled burger, or it makes a nice, light sipper on its own. One additional note, we have come to expect and indeed love one hallmark of spanish wines, their dusty, earthy texture. You might describe this wine as having a good old peasant quality. Nothing fancy, but simple and direct. Would we buy it again? Without a doubt!

Fruitier than Fruit!

Las Rocas
Garnacha
14.5%
$7.50

A blind wine tasting is the perfect time to experiment with a new bottle; something you have never tried before. It adds excitement to the mix, and you might find a new favorite! I don't know what compelled me to choose Las Rocas Garnacha. Maybe it was the label. I get so tired of the "hip" names wines are given nowadays. This label is exceptionally understated. But more likely it was the grape. Garnacha, or grenache as it is known outside of Spain, is the primary constituent of one of my favorites, Chateauneuf du Pape. The Las Rocas version was only $8.00 and if it just had a flake of the French wine's beauty, it would be a remarkable value. And to its credit it did have some complexity and depth. In fact just looking at the ViniCode, I would say that this would be very much to my liking. Enough oak to add interest, nice balance of fruit and earth, and relatively full-bodied. But there was something not quite right about this wine and we couldn't put our finger on it at first. The fruit taste seemed artificial. In other words,  a chemical, like laboratory fruit. (you know, like the "fruity" smell of fingernail polish remover) Would we buy it again? Probably not. Was it horrible? Certainly not. And it may have been this vintage. I will be looking for the 2005. If the vintners can fix this problem, this wine would be quite a value. Right now? ehhh.