Wine Outlook

I’m telling you, you can’t beat the NV Cristalino Brut Cava or Brut Rose’ for a nice, inexpensive sparkling. This time I found the Brut for less than $6 at Safeway, where I normally do not shop for wine. But there it was, near the bread, and I couldn’t pass it up. Later, to satisfy a week-long craving, I went over to 99 Ranch and picked up some more of that high-quality tuna and smoked salmon, with some squid and seaweed salad, as well. Thereby, I easily got two meals for less than I would have spent myself at a sushi bar. Though, I do have to say I usually have iced tea when I have sushi. Or a tall, cold beer.

NV Cristalino Brut Cava, 99 Ranch

Last weekend my Irish friend had a great idea: have dinner and wine in a Spanish setting (since she missed the Rioja tasting). We met up at Andalu, a fun tapas bar in the Mission, on the corner of 16th and Valencia. With great menu choices for both food and wine, I can see why we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table at 10 pm, even with a reservation.

This is definitely a place where you feel good about ordering wine by the glass. Variety and value always make me happy, anyway. Price range is from $7-12, with about 30 choices. There were even several choices for wine flights, including a Spanish progressive, Pinot Noir trio, and one for bubbly (were I not in the Spanish mindset, that would have been right up my alley.) I wanted to start with the Albarino, but it was sold out, so I opted instead for the 2003 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio. (more…)

Andalu, 2003 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio

If you read The Winemaker’s Wife, you’ve already seen my picture. But of the two I took, that was the one I preferred to showcase the wines from the Rioja tasting Tuesday. I went into it with 2 possible bottles, both of which I proclaimed as “cheating” when I entered. One was from the wrong but nearby region of Ribera del Duero, with similar grapes, and the other was a rosado. While technically that wasn’t illegal, I assumed the cellar rat meant red when he picked the theme.

In Rioja, Spain’s dominant wine region, red wines are made from Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan), and Graciano. In some rare cases, Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed. With the whites, Malvasia and Viura take the stage. I actually wanted to bring a white but put off shopping too long and didn’t have as many choices. (more…)

Rioja tasting, Ribera del Duero