Spain in the City
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. While from the wrong country, I liked its pear, apple, and citrus mingled with flavors of toast. It went very nicely (as did my friend’s Raventos Cava Brut) with the fondue, which instead of the more traditional Gruyere, was made with Cambozola, accompanied by pears and crostini.
With our meal, I wanted to have the Ochoa Garnacha-Tempranillo, but it was also out. I’ll have to go back again and see if that’s a regular thing… Instead we shared a split bottle of 2003 El Coto Rioja Crianza. Not too complex, but very tasty with tons of vanilla, raspberry, and strawberry. At $13, it was a terrific price and good pairing with our little dishes. They were all good, but I’m still thinking about the scallop and black truffle ravioli. With their paper-thin wrapping, they almost melted in my mouth. Mmmm, I may have to go back sooner than I planned.
….Farley Walker
Andalu, 2003 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio
April 26th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
I wondered if being out of so many wines was a regular thing too….I love that we have that as our excuse to go back, I say it’s nothing to do with the fondue, or in your case the ravioli