Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Reds and Rosés you can grab in the Twin Cities for under $15. Expect a new wine to be revealed each Thursday(ish).

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Rioja Tasting

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Taste Testing & Average Price : 2006 Bodega LAN Rioja Crianza: $13.99, 2007 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza: $19, 2009 Montebuena Rioja: $11

Where buy now:: Surdyk’s, Zipp’s, Byerly’s Wines & Spirits, Sorella Wines & Spirits + several other fine establishments. I’ve seen Montebuena the most around town for around $7-8. I’ve found Marques de Caceres for $12 at Costco. At wine sales, you’ll find the LAN around $10-11

Grapes: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja, Spain

Rioja tasting

A fine evening of good friends, food & wine. Viva la primavera! If you’ve been reading the website, by now you know I’m having a current love affair with Spain and particularly with Riojas. But, I really wanted to explore some of my favorites a little more. Am I just a slut for the Spanish grape or are there nuances that will help me decide on my one true love?

Enter friends to help in this endeavor. We bagged up the wines and I didn’t see what was in which bag because sure enough, I’d recognize the top label. The six of us sat out on the patio on a peculiarly warm early Spring Saturday afternoon. One by one, we sipped each of the three wines while noshing on almonds and salted cured meats.

The buzzer went off, on the oven, alas my Nueske bacon wrapped Medjool dates stuffed with Manchego cheese were done. If you haven’t made these before – just do it. Medjool dates are a bargain at Holyland’s grocery store. The sucky thing is you have to pit them but it’s a sticky good time. Stuff them with Parmigiano, Manchego or Bleu cheese. Wrap in bacon and cook up. The bacon caramelizes with the date and before you know it, your own buzzer is going off. Back to the tasting.

Riojas with bacon wrapped dates, salted cured meats and almonds

I came running out with the bacon goodies and we discussed what wines we liked. 1, 2 or 3. Then we had the big reveal as we removed the bags. Here was the overall consensus among the six of us.

#2 was our favorite – Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza

#3 was our next favorite – Montebueno Rioja

#1 was last, still good but ranked last – Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

Our favorite just so happened to be what Wine Spectator deemed as #44 on the top 100 wines list of 2010. Believe me, none of us are expert panel judges. Let me give you a few reasons why we liked it best. It had this depth and complexity upon tasting it. Not in an overly dry way, just aged enough to give it the character that seemed to be lacking a bit with the other ones we tried. This is due to the wine being labeled a Crianza. It’s aged longer in oak, giving it that oakier, fuller bodied and bolder wine. A little more spice, not as fruit forward as the Montebuena but made you want to keep sipping it over and over. It really opened up the longer it sat out. So, if you have one of those nifty aerators, throw that on the bottle. (You can find all kinds of aerators from $7-$20 at Home Goods, skip the Venturi) Due to it’s nice long finish, we all agreed this wine really stood out as pairing the best with food, especially the bacon wrapped dates.

What’s interesting is we liked #3 second, this was the most mild, fruit flavored of the Riojas. Montebuena is a young (joven) Rioja, not aged as long as the LAN Crianza and thus lighter in body. As I mentioned before, this one was more fruit-forward in taste. What we loved about this wine was that you could drink it alone! This was an easy, drinkable and agreeable red wine. Dare I say, if you like Pinot Noir, try this Rioja. With a $7 price point to match, you aren’t taking a big gamble.

The one we liked the least, which isn’t to say we disliked at all, was the Marques de Caceres. I reviewed this wine a month ago or so, use the nifty search function to find that complete review. This was also a Crianza, aged longer in oak, it did have more complexity and was less fruit forward than the Montebuena. The taste was more demure, it just didn’t seem to have the vibrancy we liked in the LAN.

We all agreed that we’d sip any of these as they were all great tasting wines. LAN, for around $10-$14, you just can’t go wrong. Plus, how cool to give this as a housewarming gift or to bring to a dinner party. You can act like you know your stuff by letting your host know that you’re providing a wine featured on Wine Spectator’s Top 100. If I’m strapped for cash or see a crazy good deal on the Montebuena, that’s definitely going in my cart. If neither are around and all I find is the Marques de Caceres on sale, I’d gladly pick that one up. So, I guess we can all surmise that I truly am a slut for the Spanish grape and no one will completely capture my heart. I’m too easily persuaded by money. In this case, less is more!

I challenge you to do the same with friends. Pick three of the same style of wine: three Pinot Noirs, three Sauvignon Blancs, or perhaps three Cab’s (you get the drift). Select three in a similar price range, perhaps place them in bags to keep their anonymity, and taste away. This will help you start to figure out what you like and it’s a wonderfully sociable alternative to just sitting around getting drunk. (NOT that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

W.J. Meek Red Wine

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Cost: Average price $17.99

Where buy now: Byerly’s Wines & Spirits, Minnetonka- $14.99

Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Region: Yakima Valley, Washington

Vintage: 2007

WJ Meek Red Wine

There are few things that get me to leave the security of the city: good friends, good food and good wine. Oh, I should probably mention family in case any of them are reading this. So, when I decided to make the sojourn out to Minnetonka, I thought, “Great, suburban drivers, high prices and shopping malls, I can’t wait!”

To my surprise, I found the Wines & Spirits shop at Byerly’s near Ridgedale, charmingly sweet! Not too tiny and not too overwhelmingly huge, the store was just right. Well laid out, clean and wide aisles, it comes with friendly staff to boot. Enter Rodney, without knowing what he looked like, you could almost tell who he was by the friendly voice bellowing in the distance. After talking shop with a customer and ringing up a purchase, he came over and we introduced ourselves to one another.

He loves what he does and that is evident by how proudly he shows off his store, from knowing each bottle to the neighborly chit-chat he provides his patrons. He says he likes to watch people shop (not in that weird “To Catch a Predator” kinda way) but he likes to ask questions and build relationships with his customers. This is like your ma’ & pop store with a facelift. Okay, it’s great blah blah blah. Show me a budget, yet outstanding wine. Better yet, show me something not many others have.

Rodney explained that they have three BIG wine sales every year: Spring, July and October. Spring sale dates haven’t been revealed but will be within the next week. With that said, this store doesn’t operate on a sale flyer or catalog system. I asked, “Why not? I love leafing through flyers circling my next big find.” He went on to explain that they carry around 3500 different wines, during their wine sale it is simply, “Buy one bottle, get one half off”. This mantra holds true for every bottle. If the bottle is in the store, it’s part of the sale.

I love that. I love that for a couple reasons. 1) You buy what you truly want. No, “Gosh, I’d rather have bottle X, but bottle Y is actually on sale.” or 2) You may be more apt to experiment with a bottle slightly outside of your comfort zone without breaking the bank. Buy one you know you love and then buy one that’s new to you.

As we continue conversing, in comes Dr. Mike, a regular customer. First, Dr. Mike is smokin’ hot. Oh, what, he’s a surgeon, too? He and Rodney shoot the breeze. Rodney asks how his wife liked a bottle the doctor bought a week ago and the friendly banter continues. Did I mention Dr. Mike had soft flowing locks that were well coifed but not in an Aveda-sort of way. Just natural like he jumped out of his open-aired jeep, wearing flip flops and beachy attire.

“The wine, Lush, the wine”

Yes, back to my story. Rodney asked me if I knew much about the Meek Family. I knew nothing of them so he took me to the bin that held the WJ Meek Red Wine. The owner/vintner , Michael Meek, actually lives right here in our very own state of Minnesota on Lake Minnetonka. Originally from Seattle, he founded the estate in Yakima Valley, Washington, back in 2000 due to a lifelong passion. The WJ Meek name honors his grandfather who was also a winemaker. You can check out http://www.meekfamilyestate.com/Meek Family Estate. The Meek Family Estate must own some pretty sought-after real-estate because their grapes are harvested for a few other name brand wines. However, they also create some killer limited production wines under their own name. I say that because Rodney opened a bottle for me to taste on the spot and I was hooked.

Upon opening, the aromas just smelled great. I know that is vague but don’t you get that sometimes? Something just smells “right”? This Cali table red is reminiscent of really good French Bordeaux. For those in which that means nothing, this red wine is something I can see the natives tossing back with friends while cracking inappropriate jokes, enjoying each other’s company and just relishing the good life.

For something more tangible, it is a Cabernet/Merlot blend. The Cabernet releases a fuller bodied richness with scents and tastes of cherry and blueberry. The induction of Merlot creates this soft-robust wine. Does that make sense? It has boldness, yet softness at the same time. The fruit grabs you but the hints of earth and touch of woody vanilla rounds out the taste leaving you with a pleasant, medium finish. It’s such a smooth, full-bodied red that has personality without getting in the way. You’d believe you were drinking a bottle twice the price. I’ll be honest, I didn’t drink my first bottle with any food. Yes, I said first bottle. No, I don’t have the second, third or fourth but you better believe when that wine sale hits, I’ll be doing the BOGO thing with this wine.

Too good to be true? You can head on in to Byerly’s now for a great price. I know city-folk, I cannot make you leave the confines of Minneapolis or St. Paul. I can tell you if you are out that way, it’s worth the stop. If you live in the Western Metro, make this a go to after you pick up groceries next door. Remember, wine is personal. Do you let any Tom, Dick or Harry cut your hair or give you a physical? No, hell no. You want someone who gets to know you over time. That relationship builds and they can tailor to your needs and personality.

Make sure to tell Rodney I sent you. Strike up a conversation and don’t be hesitant to tell him what kinds of wines you like, otherwise he’ll just “watch” you shop and perhaps offer a swell suggestion when you check out.

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet

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Cost: Average price $10

Where buy now: Cellars Wines & Spirits- $7.99, Surdyk’s – $7.49 (during wine sale)

Grapes:47% Zinfandel, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah

Region: Livermore, California

Vintage: 2010

Cupcake Vineyard’s Red Velvet

 

Before I launched the Savvy Lush, I asked my two cousins who live/lived in San Francisco for California bang-for-buck wine suggestions. One wine recommended was Cupcake Vineyard’s Zin known as Red Velvet. Last week, during a wine sale frenzy of mine at Cellars Wines & Spirits in Roseville, I snared me a bottle.

This wine frenzy inspired me to try out a healthified version of Chiles Rellenos: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chiles-rellenos-with-tomato-and-avocado-salsa/ChilesRellenos I would make this again but add some sautéed zucchini, crisp corn and possibly black beans to give it added texture.

I started drinking this wine before I ate. I couldn’t help myself. As I swirled the Red Velvet in my glass, strong scents of dark berries and smokey-chocolate, like a molé sauce, were immediate! I downed a full glass before the damned poblanos even made it out of the oven. In my version of “waiting patiently”, I “organized the mail”. Basically, I was just shifting stacks of mail from one end of the dining room table to the other. Stupid, I know, but severe food anticipation can turn me into Rain Man sans Judge Wapner, (yeah, definitely Judge Wapner.)

*BEEP* *BEEP*  Finally! I ran into the kitchen as the oven buzzer sounded. I would have had a great “Tom Cruise in Risky Business” kind of slide if my kitchen wasn’t so pathetically small. I peeked in the oven and saw cheese oozing from the poblanos. It was time.

I plated the peppers, sprinkled some avocado salsa on top, and added a dollop of my beloved sour cream (This ‘Sconi gal has to maximize the dairy) Huffing and puffing, I barely cooled off the first bite before shoving it into my mouth. Mmm! The gooey cheese along with sautéed onion, garlic and jalapeño sinfully complimented the roasted poblano, avocado and cilantro mixture. Now, the wine. Again, I sensed the aromas of blackberries and chocolate, and took a sip. It’s all working, here. Being predominantly Zinfandel, a jamminess hits you, but the Merlot softens the Zin. The Cab & Petite Sirah join in, creating this creamy, balanced, and highly drinkable Cali red wine.

I desperately tried to nurse this bottle, so I really sipped and savored the rest of the meal. Why you may ask? Because now was brownie time. I made a batch earlier that day from a gluten free mix I picked up at Home Goods. I cut a piece (well, a Savvy Lush piece – half a row), barely able to contain my saliva. Unlike other crappy gluten free brownies I had eaten in the past, these were chewy, the consistency of a “real” wheat flour brownie. After another sip of the smokey chocolate, dark berry Red Velvet- oh yeah. I was so excited, I could have jumped all over Oprah’s couch! Soon, I was tweeting it from the rafters!

If you don’t like dessert wine but need a wine to go with a chocolate dessert, give Red Velvet a go. You can find this wine just about anywhere for around $8 -10. I can confidently tell you to pick this up. Don’t let the Cupcake label fool you- this is a serious Cali blend.

Grab your honey, a bottle of Cupcake Vineyard’s Red Velvet and perhaps some local http://www.muddypawscheesecake.com/MuddyPaws Espresso Cheesecake. Or if you want a truly magnanimously boozy time, Muddy Paws just launched their 2 Gingers Whiskey Cheesecake. You can only melt your troubles away with that combo.

Now how about that? Winning! [Oh wait, that was the non-Scientology batshit crazy celebrity.] Show ME the—. No. Ummm…I have the need! (What?!?) Hmmm. I WANT THE TRU—…

Never mind.

PS – another great bargain Zin that would go just as well, BV Coastal Estates Zinfandel.

BV Coastal Estates Zinfandel

Running $7 at Cellars Wines & Sprits right now. Mmm, zinny!