Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: Tastings and Tajinaste

By: Joe Manekin | K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings all,

Thanks to everyone who made it to our tastings last week. We had a great time in Redwood City, with people especially enjoying the dueling 1964's (Gomez Cruzado Gran Reserva Rioja and Torres Coronas). In SF and LA, folks tasted the spectacular 1970 Franco Españolas Royal Tete de Cuvee Gran Reserva Rioja and for a delicious gran reserva at everyday prices, the ’99 Puelles. I'm looking forward to the next tasting; clearly we want to continue to mix it up a bit and not hesitate to pull corks on the good stuff.

Speaking of mixing it up and good stuff...it has been a long while without any mention of wines from the Canary Islands. One of our customers recently tried the tinto from Tajinaste, and felt compelled to email me back about how unique, delicious, and decidedly un-obvious the flavor profile was. While it is limiting and simplifying to generalize, more often than not we as wine merchants are compelled to do so; therefore if I were to boil down the carefully chosen Canary Island wines which make it to the States these days to a few choice words they would be refreshing, savory and honest. My first Canary wine experience was with Tajinaste, it still hits the spot, and I think it is arguably the producer with the most consistent style and crowd appeal.

Tajinaste Blanco Valle de la Orotava (Tenerife) - $19.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1120334

Tajinaste Tinto Tradicional Valle de la Orotava (Tenerife) - $23.99

 http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1086750

Saludos,

Joe

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com

Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: TASTINGS

By: Joe Manekin | K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings all,

Did I mention last week that we have TASTINGS coming up this Saturday January 12th in all of our stores? TASTINGS, in ALL CAPS, which is code for "Joe is not messing around" (and, apparently, referring to himself in the third person). In other words, it's going to be good and I strongly recommend that you join us (particularly if you appreciate the occasional fine, mature vintage).

One of the wineries we will be featuring on Saturday hails from the Monterei D.O. in Galicia. These are not inexpensive, but they are hand sewn wines of great purity, individual character and finesse. Though our sales do not (yet) indicate it, Galicia represents the future of fine wine production in Spain.

2009 Quinta da Muradella "Alanda" Tinto Monterei - $32.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1118920

2011 Quinta da Muradella Alanda Blanco Monterrei - $32.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1118919

We will also be pouring a vintage Madeira.  I would be hard pressed to think of a more classy way to finish a meal, accompany the reading of a classic novel or - why not, now that it's back on the air- enhance your enjoyment of season three of Downton Abbey, than to pour yourself a glass of Madeira.  By way of reminder, these four Madeiras are regularly in stock, have wine as old as 30 years in them, and represent lots of value and near vintage level quality for a non-vintage Madeira price.

Rare Wine Company Historic Series Charleston Sercial Madeira - $49.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1069709

Rare Wine Company Historic Series Savannah Verdelho Madeira - $49.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1063545

Rare Wine Company Historic Series Boston Bual Madeira - $49.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1061379

Rare Wine Company Historic Series New York Malmsey Madeira - $49.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1020385

Alright, hope that we see you this Saturday in the bar.

Oh yeah - go Ravens, beat those Broncos!

Saludos,

Joe

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com

Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: Spanish Tastings in all three stores Saturday January 12th!

By: Joe Manekin | K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings and Happy New Year!

Let's get down to brass tacks and get you up to speed on the latest and greatest.

-Spanish tasting in all stores Saturday January 12th!

As always, we will be featuring many new faces and likely at least one older, old school Rioja to enjoy (BTW, this is not the hip-hop older than 5 years definition of old school, I mean older than 20 years). Here is our link with times for each store:

http://www.klwines.com/local_events.asp#5

-Three picks under $10

I know I am biased. However, Spain continues to produce the best value wine under $10. My colleagues here and elsewhere in the wine business would likely agree with that. Here are three that will not break the bank, and will satisfy your need to replenish your "drink now" stocks of wine after the busy holiday season.

Bodegas Puelles Blanco Rioja - $9.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1111379

2011 Bodegas Riojanas Canchales Joven Rioja - $9.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1108242

2009 Riotajo Tempranillo Garnacha Vinos de Madrid - $9.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1092054

-Next week...

Rare, Galician wines from the Monterei D.O.

Saludos, y salud,

Joe

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com