Calma Rioja 2007

Served With: Pollo con Higos (recipe here)

Five Things: cherry, oak, earthy, finesse, French terroir

COO: La Rioja, Spain

Notes: This wine surprised me -- I poured it, gave it a swirl and let it sit out for a bit while finishing the cooking. When I came back to it -- to take notes -- and finally took a sip, I had to look at the bottle again to make sure I hadn't opened a French wine in error. Nope, it was a Tempranillo from Rioja. In an ironically synergistic moment, we matched it with a slow-braised recipe that was almost French (with an Espagnole sauce) by-the-way of Spain (figs and annatto rice).

Rating: Very Good

Tags: calma, rioja, spain, tempranillo, 2007

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

Pelta 2008

Served With: Fettuccine with Walnut and Ricotta Sauce.

Five Things: dark ruby, earthy pine forest, blackberry, good structure, low acidity

COO: Valencia, Spain

Notes: A tempranillo blend from Spain -- like foraging for blackberries in a old-growth pine forest after a late summer rain-storm.

Rating: Very Good

Tags: tempranillo, spain, 2008, pelta, valencia

Vinos Sin-Ley Monastrell Yecla M5 2007

Served With: Chiles Rellenos filled with Chorizo & Black Beans

Five Things: dark, black cocoa, black cherry, olive wood, bouquet garni

COO: Yecla, Spain

Notes: The key to pairing a dish like rellenos with wine is the heat level of the poblanos. Get a hot one and you're better off with a beer. Get a mild one, and you can get away with this pairing of Monastrell with spicy chorizo, creamy black beans and cheese. Thankfully, these were mild kind -- it could have easily gone in the other direction. The herbal nose and cocoa-ish bitterness on the palate actually works in its favor here, bringing the nuance of the food into sharper focus.

Website: Vinos Sin-Ley

Rating: Very Good

Tags: Vinos Sin-Ley, Monastrell, Yecla, Spain, M5, 2007

Vinos Sin-Ley Vinos de Madrid Puerta Bonita G5 2008

Served With: Tapas (Chorizo, Chickpeas, Garlic & Greens)

Five Things: ruby, morello cherry, earthy, cherry cola, soft juicy tannins

COO: Madrid, Spain

Notes: This garnacha kind of snuck up on us. By the end of the bottle we were ready to declare this our new "everyday" wine -- the kind of wine that goes well with whatever you throw at it food-wise.

Website: Vinos Sin-Ley

Rating: Very Good

Tags: garnacha, spain, madrid, tapas, 2008

Dibon Brut Reserve Cava NV

Served With: Tapas (Marcona Almonds, Pimento & Garlic Olives, Cheese)

Five Things: citrine (quartz) color, mineral, crisp, Asian pear, medium finish

COO: Catalunya, Spain

Notes: This crisp inexpensive cava cut right through the fatty stuffed olives, nuts & cheese with a clean mineral finish. A very nice match.

Rating: Very Good

Tags: catalunya, spain, cava, brut

Can Vendrell Cava Brut

Served With: Sushi

Five Things: straw color, crisp, citrus, slightly bready, uneven finish

COO: Penedès, Spain

Notes: Sushi and Cava are generally a great match, and this traditional blend of organic grapes (30% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeu, 35% Parellada) started fine, but the finish wasn't particularly smooth (burp!).

Website: Albet i Noya

Rating: Good

Tags: spain, cava, brut