Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón Calatayud Viña Alarba Old Vines Grenache 2007

Served With: Pizza

Five Things: dark cherry color, dusky, strawberry, tobacco, soft tannins

COO: Calatayud, Spain

Notes: I would imagine if you looked up "under $10 pizza wine" on teh internets, you would find a picture of this wine. Which was convenient, as that's what we were eating and drinking tonight -- simple grenache goodness from Spain.

Website: Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón

Rating: Very Good

Tags: Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón, Calatayud, spain, Viña Alarba, Grenache, 2007

Mas de la Dame Les Baux-de-Provence Cuvée Gourmande 2006

Served With: Sunchoke-Kale Hash with Farro (recipe here)

Five Things: leather, pepper, plum, integrated tannins, medium finish

COO: Provence, France

Notes: This smooth and balanced grenache blend from Provence was a great match for the nutty farro and earthy sunchokes and really brought out the pepper in the dish. Lovely.

Website: Mas de la Dame

Rating: Very Good

Tags: Mas de la Dame, Les Baux-de-Provence, Cuvée, 2006, France