Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome, once again, to another edition of the Carpe-Vinum-Day-Before-The-Tasting newsletter! And it’s an exciting week! Why? Because it’s Spanish Wines again!

You might say, “You sure do seem to seem to serve up the Spanish wines pretty often. .”

And I might say, “Yep!”

The reasoning behind it is because there is so much good stuff going on in Spain that I have to do a tasting every third month just to keep up. And that isn’t a bad thing. Spanish wines are like the Spanish Soap Operas I come across on the International channels while surfing the cable. You may not understand everything that’s going on, but it’s something passionate that involves some full-bodied characters.

This is not to be confused with that other show I always seem to come across. . .what is it? Sabbado Gigante? Big Sunday? It’s that weird variety show that lasts 4 or more hours. Spanish wines are most certainly not like that. Unless you’re speaking of Wrongo Dongo, which sounds like a variety show kind of wine. In actuality, if you haven’t tried it, it’s a wonderful Sub-$10 red, with a cool label, from Spanish producer Juan Gil.

And speaking of Juan Gil, since I liked his Wrongo Dongo so much, I decided to try out his higher-profile wine appropriately named “Juan Gil.” It’s a wine made from 100% Monastrell, which is the Spanish name for the grape the French call Mourvedre, and some random people (mostly Australians and Californians) call Mataro. The wine preceding that in the tasting is from the Descendientes de J. Palacios, which is the Spanish name for, well. . .basically “Palacious’ Kids” which sounds more like a Spanish sitcom. Yes, it’s the descendents of reputable Spanish producer J. Palacios and their tasty offering from Bierzo.

Skipping over any further TV references, the rest of the wines are all wonderful in their own splendor. I’ve included a sampling from all around Spain, with a special stop in Rioja to try an old (1996) Gran Reserva from Bodegas Montecillo. As an extra special bonus, it’s the triumphant return of what is now called The Extra-Special Super-Groovy Dessert Pour! This time it’s a sweet red from Jumilla made from Monastrell. It’s been described to me as “boysenberry pie in a bottle”!

So Friday, March 25th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Spain!
Dominio de Eguren 2002 Codice, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Vinas del Montsant 2001 Fra Guerau, Montsant
Bodegas Borsao 2003 Tres Picos Grenache, Campo de Borja
Descendientes de J. Palacios 2003 Petales del Bierzo, Bierzo
Juan Gil 2002 Monastrell, Jumilla

Bonus Premium 2!
Rejadorada 2002 Tinto Roble, Toro
Bodegas Montecillo 1996 Gran Reserva, Rioja

The Extra-Special Super-Groovy Dessert Pour!
Olivares 2000 Monastrell Dolce, Jumilla

A stellar deal at $10 for the first 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours, and $5 for the dessert pour.
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is Extra Special April Fool’s Day Blind Tasting!

M