Great wine values from Spain available in the Heights!

Sangre de Toro

2007 Torres Sangre de Toro White Wine

From Catalunya along the Mediterranean in the extreme northeast corner of Spain, comes this refreshing white wine made from the Parellada grape.  I purchased it for $9.99 at Zagara’s on Lee Road.  The name means “son of the Bull,” a reference to the Roman God of Wine, Bacchus, and the bottle has a tiny white plastic bull attached to it.  I am not sure I get that, but the wine has lovely aromas of cantaloupe, lemons and even some crushed sea shells.  Drinking it provides a crisp bite of refreshing lemons and minerals.  This would be great as an aperitif or with seafood or rice dishes.  I think you will find it an excellent value for a wine of this pedigree. 

2005 Castillo de Fuendejalon Crianza

Don’t be fooled because this bottle is wrapped completely in paper; this wine is both serious and enjoyable.  Another winner from the Aragonesas winery, it is from the same winery that makes Mosen Cleto, recommended in the January edition. The winery is located in the Campo de Borja region of northeast Spain.  It is a blend of Garnacha (what the Spaniards call Grenache) and Tempranillo (Spain’s indigenous star grape). This is a lush wine with lovely flavors reminiscent of a softer cherry liqueur.  It would be great to sip alone or served with a wide variety of food.  It is available at Zagara’s, Heinen’s and Whole Foods for $9.99.  I recommend opening the bottle an hour or two before serving to let it breathe.

Loren Sonkin lives in Cleveland Heights, where he is a an attorney and contributor to IntoWine.com.

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Volume 2, Issue 4, Posted 10:12 PM, 04.08.2009