Category: Spain
Zinfandel, Rioja and Rhone Adventures in Red Wines
Posted by Tom Gable | Jan 31, 2018 | California, Discoveries, Rhone, Spain | 0
Lighter Wine Bottles: Good for the Environment, Economy
by Tom Gable | Sep 30, 2023 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Classics, Discoveries, Italy, New Zealand, Research, Spain, Values | 0
Do heavy wine bottles and fancy, thick foils help persuade you that a wine is of good, higher, or even cult quality? If so, you might reconsider and move toward lighter bottles for a variety of reasons, starting with good taste...
Read MoreTop 20 Reds Tasted During 2022
by Tom Gable | Dec 31, 2022 | Argentina, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Classics, France, Spain | 0
The news media and various entertainment, search engine and research websites are currently featuring their “Best of 2022” lists, with occasional predictions for 2023. In the spirit of sharing, here are my Top 20 Red Wines...
Read MoreSo Many Wines, So Little Time
by Tom Gable | Nov 30, 2022 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Chile, Classics, Discoveries, France, Germany, Italy, Rhone, South Africa, Spain, Values | 0
Readers often ask where I get my wines, particularly after posting tasting notes on some great values from around the world. Start with the big box stores (e.g., Costco) and local wine merchants. For expanding my horizons and to...
Read MoreRioja Adventures Round Two; Classic Reds, Sprightly Rosados and Crisp Blancos
Our base was the Hotel Marques Riscal, in Elciego, a tiny town on the road to the bigger destinations of Laguardia, Haro and Samaniego. MARQUES DE RISCAL The Marqués de Riscal City of Wine, in Elciego (Álava), includes: the...
Read MoreDiscovering Rioja: fine values in high quality aged wines
Matt Kramer, long-time columnist for The Wine Spectator and author of a definitive book on...
Read MoreRioja Shines; Fine Red Wines from Spain, $15 to $156
Ranking wines during blind tastings can provide some eye-openers, to coin a phrase, particularly with wines from different vintages and a wide range of prices. One group in San Diego, the Carmel Valley Wine Club, held its 302d...
Read MoreRobust Red Wines to Complement Your Mastery of the Grill
by Tom Gable | Apr 30, 2021 | Argentina, Baja California, California, Discoveries, Rhone, Spain, Values | 0
In getting an early start on firing up the barbie as the days get longer and the nights warmer, we’ve been sampling more robust red wines that can be a match for grilled foods. The dishes ranged from burgers and bratwurst to...
Read MoreEasy Sipping Spring and Summer White Wines
by Tom Gable | Mar 31, 2021 | Burgundy, California, Champagne, Discoveries, France, New Zealand, Spain, Values | 0
With warmer weather in the offing and restrictions easing on getting together in crowds of more than four and spaced at two-meter intervals, it’s time to explore lower-cost, tasty wines to have handy for any group gathering or...
Read MoreIn Search of Good Red Wine Blends — Traditional to Creative
by Tom Gable | Nov 30, 2020 | Argentina, Baja California, Bordeaux, California, Chile, Discoveries, France, Italy, Rhone, Spain, Values, Washington | 0
One strategy for calibrating your palate is to taste wines made from the same varietal grape and decide on styles you like. This is best done blind, where a co-conspirator buys the wines and another puts them in numbered brown...
Read MoreSummer Whites: Easy Sipping Party Wines, Plus a Few Complex Classics
by Tom Gable | Aug 31, 2020 | Australia, Baja California, Burgundy, California, Classics, Discoveries, France, Germany, New Zealand, Oregon, Spain, Washington | 0
The following white wines rose to the top of our tasting leaderboard the past three months, scoring for overall quality of the wines and values delivered. Most are widely available, except for classics from the cellar and...
Read MoreValues from Four Nations in BBQ Wines
by Tom Gable | Jul 31, 2020 | Argentina, Baja California, California, Chile, Discoveries, Spain | 0
With Americans firing up the home barbecue and indoor grills more than ever before, we searched for good values in hearty BBQ wines to enhance the fun. We would typically suggest adding to beach parties and picnic fare as well,...
Read MoreSingle Blind Tasting – Fun Exercise in Improving Wine Appreciation
by Tom Gable | Jan 31, 2019 | Argentina, Australia, California, France, New Zealand, Spain | 0
Can a single blind tasting be of value to wine drinkers seeking to learn more techniques for identifying the similarities and differences in wines, while honing their individual palates and sensitivities? The answer is yes,...
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